THE English Club of the University of the Visayas Toledo City Campus (UVTCC) staged a stirring drama on friendship, loss, and reconciliation on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Barba Sports Complex, Toledo City.
Produced by the Theater Arts class of Bachelor of Secondary Education in English students, Where Lilies Bloom is a full-length play that chronicles the lives of a group of friends whose death of a fellow forces them to reunite after a prolonged estrangement and to reconcile their differences, as secrets, betrayals, and lingering regrets bubble to the surface.
Written by Argel C. Cambarejan, Kimberly B. Obañana, and Meljane V. Cruz, all incoming junior English majors, the play starred Febbie Lorraine G. Cantunao, Louie Suson, Shane C. Acquiat, Jade Marielle D. Dingding, Ferland Elladora, Jamaica L. Almero, Jorshua Gabisan, and Dexter Fernandez as the lead cast.
The ensemble cast includes Ronnagen L. Provida, Genevive D. Tayag, Jhones A. Canillo, Karyl B. Rodimo, Mary September Y. Contado, Jamaica S. Engnan, Sheerah M. Paradero, Khen James I. Tandayag, and Reyvin S. Maasin.
“Regardless of how bad your past may have been, it does not necessarily define who you are today. There’s always an opportunity for a new beginning. This story highlights the importance of friendship, love, and understanding, which ultimately prevail in the face of adversity,” Cambarejan said.
“Where Lilies Bloom was inspired by the white lily, a flower we’ve often seen at wakes. Its symbolism isn’t one of grief but of change. Their (lilies) ability to bloom in all kinds of place reflects life’s resilience and the quiet promise of rebirth, even in the face of deep loss,” Obañana said.
The production team is composed of Theater Arts students of UVTCC: Leonard Toquiro (Creatives), Cherry Mariz T. Tejano (Costume and Makeup), Eden D. Nelmida (Overall Technical), Agnes C. Ybañez (Scoring), Mark A. Ruta (Lights), Christian Jhon A. Condez (Logistics), Dafney P. Bactismo (Marketing), Arianne Caryl W. Serundo (Program and Graphics), Mary Antonitte J. Monteroso (Tickets), and Yesha JselC. Rallos (Finance).
In the last 10 years, the English Club of UVTCC has gathered writers, actors, public speakers, composers, and performing artists, and given them platforms where they could showcase their talents. Since 2015, it has produced two songwriting competitions on campus and six original straight plays and musical. (Jhay-ar A. Book)