Arts and Design 2017

IN COLLABORATION WITH
Arts and Design 2018
PRESENTS

THE MYSTERY ON 35TH

STREET
Teacher
In-Charge & Chief
Administrative
Shaun Marasigan
Officer

Playwright Margarita Magbuhos

Director Lai Enriquez

Production
Mikaela Reynoso
Manager

Head Stage
Leida Laya
Manager

Musical Pixie Labrador

Directors Julienne Casianon

Allison Mendoza
Choreographer
Zam Lagman
Set
Anja Contreras
Design
Properties &
Rio Soriano
Wardbrobe

Tech Bon Discaya

Marketing Karrie Sarmiento

(Internal & External) Ivy Berces

Documentation Julia Carpio

House
Patricia-anne Cruz
Management

Cover Design by Briana Nieva and Ivy Berces

MESSAGES from the heads

Maita Magbuhos
Playwright

I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to write a story for this set of talented
individuals. Without the rest of my Arts & Design 2017 colleagues, and the ever-
dedicated and skilled Arts & Design 2018 volunteers, the tale of our unorthodox heroes,
Mercedes & Ruth, and their inspiring tale of redemption would not have been brought
to life.

I want to thank our Chief Administrative Officer and artistic director, production
manager, director, stage managers, and marketing director for tying up all loose
ends, and for being the primary hands that meld our production to its finest shape.
I also want to thank the actors who not only memorized, but bled bled for their
characters and during tireless rehearsals, the musical directors and band, who were
just as responsible for giving depth to our characters, and adding a dimension of
humanity and beauty to the story we meant to tell, the set, properties, costume, and
technical team who built the world the characters could dwell and breathe and live
in, and every single person who told us to hold on; to make our vision a reality, to do
things out of passion, and to love what we do.

Ivy Berces
Marketing Head

It was in this production that we pushed, hustled, walked and talked with all of our
might to make things happen. I mean sure, our class may be that odd-one-out, the
mole to whack; but that didnt stop us from doing what we needed and wanted to
do and that is to create art in one of its grandest forms, telling our own story. More
than a year ago, we were a simple class that wanted to create art. On our last year
together, were a family who annoy and love each other alike, moving to the rhythm of
the same passion and story. SAD 2017, we did it! Treat yourselves well.
Heres the thing about this
tales heroes:

They are NOT heroes.

 ACT I
Someone retells the legend of Mercedes & Ruth, beginning from when the infamous duo infiltrate
a bank and steal millions from the widow of an oil magnate, Madam Florence. While stirring the
place up into the frenzy, the two are able to shake off their long-time rival, Captain Morales,
and her new partner, Officer Lorraine. Not long after, a seventh muse is murdered on 35th
street. Captain Morales and Officer Lorraine link the murders to The High Society Association.
At the same time, Mercedes and Ruth chance upon a series of portrait paintings outside an
abandoned mansion, and a meeting with Ruths bitter ex-partner, Scout, turns sour. While the
police take Agnes, a young rich girl who fits the profile of past victims, into police protection,
Mercedes and Ruth, after having read the news, reach the horrifying realization that the
paintings they stole were of real people whod been killed.

Scout, who knows the whereabouts of the paintings, having had to fight for them with Mercedes
and Ruth, comes to the police with this information, requesting immunity. The Portrait Killer is
then presumed to be none other than criminal legends, Mercedes and Ruth. Captain Morales
and Officer Lorraine come after Mercedes and Ruth in their next planned act of thievery for
the expensive pink diamonds. However, due to a lower ranking police officers stupidity, Agnes
happens to be in the vicinity. A shoot-out occurs that ends in Lorraines severe injury, and the
loss of contact with Agnes. Mercedes refuses to leave Agnes unconscious body on the streets
while The Portrait Killer is on the loose, so the duo take her with them to their hideout. Meanwhile,
a heartbroken Captain Morales visits Officer Lorraine in the hospital, and makes a resolve to
catch Mercedes and Ruth once and for all.

When Agnes gets well and conscious, her faith in Mercedes and Ruth convinces them to let
her stay and help them locate The Portrait Killer. Agnes gives them a lead on Evelyn, the crazy
baker on 35th street, who knows Agnes since she used to be a caterer for The High Society
Association, and is revealed to have been painting as hobby recently. Before they can tie up
loose ends, Scout appears by their door, frenzied, to warn them. Scout is too late, although,
as Captain Morales and her police force barge into Mercedes and Ruths hideout. To protect
Mercedes, Ruth turns herself in, proclaiming that she is The Portrait Killer.
 ACT II
Captain Morales interrogate the duo separately, insisting that Ruth had an accomplice, and Mercedes
was guilty, but neither budge. Mercedes then promises Ruth, who is behind bars, that she will come
back and set her free. A time skip occurs, Mercedes has not been successful in setting Ruth free, even
after a month. Agnes and Mercedes meet at a bar and discuss their leads: Agnes says Evelyn had gone
into hiding, and suggests they go upstate, where she could be, as that was the place The High Society
Association always held meetings.

Agnes meets with Evelyn, who ends up roughly cornering Agnes in a shady alley. Agnes accuses her of
being the killer, saying she didnt want to be right about Evelyn, and Evelyn begins to cry. It is revealed
that Evelyn is the mourning mother of one of the muses, Helen. Evelyn shows Agnes her painting, which
was an abstract painting, since Evelyn cannot draw people. Agnes prevents Mercedes from turning
Evelyn in, and the two go back to square one. As Mercedes is about to lose hope, Agnes mentions a
detail she thought to be inconsequential at first: the initials R.K, which she found from the abandoned
mansion where the paintings were found when she visited it herself. Mercedes decides she cant do it
without Ruth, and the two head for the precinct.

Mercedes and Agnes sneak in and are able to break Ruth out. They exchange touching goodbyes with
Agnes. At their trashed, unrecognizable hideout, Mercedes tells Ruth the Portrait Killer isnt Evelyn, and
asks about the initials R.K. R.K is Richard Kinney, an oil magnate from a rich family, who owned several
estates across town. He had a bad habit of keeping mistresses, and died in a freak accident over a
year ago. Mercedes and Ruth dig into his past, and discover that the recently killed Seven Muses had
all been girls Richard had an affair with. They reach an epiphany: they know who The Portrait Killer is.
However, they entertain the option of leaving the police be, and running away, since they, after all, are
the villains of this story. They eventually decide to pursue the truth, and be the heroes for once. For the
victims, for Agnes, and for each other.

Mercedes and Ruth go to a mansion to follow their lead. Florence catches them intruding. Mercedes
and Ruth accuse her of being The Portrait Killer, and Florence snaps. She reveals that Richard did not,
in fact, die in a freak accident, but was murdered by her. After which, as she was filled with grief and
regret, she killed his mistresses in an attempt to purify their love. Florence tells them she had already
called the cops on them, and crazed, stabs herself. Captain Morales arrives, and Florence pretends to
be frightened and victimized. However, Captain Morales cuffs her instead, to her disbelief. Apparently,
Mercedes and Ruth had helped their rival, Captain Morales, catch Florence after their encounter.

In the end, Florence is imprisoned, and The High Society Association redirect their riches to charities.
Scout, who still felt guilty, rejected the immunity and served her time, instead. Officer Lorraines paralysis
turns out to be temporary, and Captain Morales visits her to give her a medal of heroism for saving her
life. Charges against Mercedes and Ruth were reduced since they helped the police, but still were put
behind bars for their past robberies. Agnes considers taking a degree in criminology after recent events
inspired her, and is revealed to be the one telling the legend of Mercedes and Ruth.
 the
Cast

Pamela Cecilia
Pangilingan Pauig
Mercedes Ruth

Mica Joey
Aquino Santos
Captain Morales Officer Lorraine
 Samantha Margarita
Sandoval Lugue
Agnes Evelyn

Gabrielle Kyla
Justo Ravago
Madame Florence Scout
 The 7 Deadly Sins & Ensemble Cast

Janina Kathleen Geraldine

Clemente Mendoza Corpus

Caroline Zoe Reyna

Teo Valix Duterte

Janina Clemente as Lust

Kathleen Mendoza as Wrath
Geraldine Corpus as Envy
Caroline Teo as Gluttony
Zoe Valix as Greed
Reyna Duterte as Sloth
Gabrielle Bacani as Pride

Gabrielle
Bacani
 the
Production
Team

the
HEADS
| Julia
(from left to right, top to bottom)
Carpio, Rio Soriano, Julienne
Casianan, Leida Laya, Bon Discaya,
Pixie Labrador, Maita Magbuhos,
Allie Mendoza, Karrie Sarmiento,
Patricia-anne Cruz, Ivy Berces,
Anja Contreras, Mikaela Reynoso

not in picture: Lai Enriquez

STAGE
MANAGEMENT
Headed by | Leida Laya

(from left to right) | Shaniqua Kalaw,

Ruthie Mendoza, Leida Laya,
Rominna Sebastian,Vicky Mercado
PROPS &
WARDROBE
Headed by | Rio Soriano

(from left to right) | Sherina

Tolentino, Sam Gianzon, Rio
Soriano, Lia Nunez, Jarelle
Anonuevo

SET
DESIGN
Headed by | Anja Contreras

(from left to right, top to bottom) | Tara

Javier, Ian Gianzon, Julia Aguilar,
Tricia Isagon, Chloe Garcia, Anja
Contreras

Not in picture: Clarisse Zenarosa,

Trisha Reyes, Sary Siasoco
 the
BAND
Headed by | Pixie Labrador
& Julienne Casianan

(from left to right,top to bottom) |

Taniel
Francisco, Jazmine Ravalo, Lisa
Vasquez, Yuka Macapagal, Patricia
Rollom, Soleil Mangulabnan,
Julienne Casianan, Pixie Labrador

HOUSE
MANAGEMENT
Headed by | Patricia-anne Cruz

(in no particular order) | Nichole Lanza,

Joesette Obani, Chessy Fernandez,
Roena Timbol, Ella Villa, Jaica Lopez,
Kat Poon, Bea Rodriguez, Camille
Cruz, Rosita Marcelo, Keisha Joson,
Martina Suyosa, Patricia-anne Cruz
TECH
Headed by | Bon Discaya

(from left to right) | Bon Discaya,

Janelle Anonuevo, Angela
Cuaresma

Not in picture: Alyssa Reyes,

Jen Tena

DOCUMENTATION
& MARKETING
Headed by | Julia Carpio
(Documentation)
Ivy Berces
Karrie Sarmiento
(Marketing)

(from left to right,top to bottom) | Briana

Nieva, Sophia Zarate, Martina
Cobres, Christina Cawad, Gabby
Imbao, Iris Manzano , Karrie
Sarmiento, Ivy Berces, Julia Carpio

Not in picture: Nicole Ablaza,

Patricia Samonte, Pat Daquilanea
Cause no matter what
weve done,

Maybe were not so bad

after all.
SONGS
Original songs written by Pixie Labrador
Musical Arrangment by Julienne Casianan
Performed by the Band and Cast of The Mystery on 35th Street

ACT I
1. The Tale of Mercedes and Ruth But who needs to do good Stealing stuff
When nothing ever comes out right? With the baddies in town?
Down on 35th Street
Theres a crime you cant defeat And who needs to be kind I can be proper
And a tale thats told When you are never satisfied? I just love bein bad
To keep you on the border of your seat But whats so wrong with being bad
So lets be the best When youre the best Ive ever had?
And maybe this is happenin At the only thing that makes this city
A little bit too fast bite Best Ive ever had
So dont miss a beat Lets be the best Sing it Ruth!
Or else the heat At the only thing that we know we cant
Will catch you so you dont last deny Did you ever imagine us?
Young at heart, about to start
Theft! Lets be the best Playing games and breaking hearts
Their biggest ally Ignore the rest Next thing ya know
Gold! Lets be the best! Were the new star of the show
Can you hear them cheer? Cause were Always ready to commit a crime
And if you try to stop them We never let you know
Dont you blink before they disappear Mercedes and Ruth!
You know were up to no good Robberies, fake IDs
Mercedes and Ruth So watch out and tell your Men falling to their knees
Angels in disguise neighborhood Cops out to get us! Please
So dont believe them under all their lies Weve done em all, its been a breeze
Mercedes and Ruth!
Mercedes and Ruth Are coming out to getcha I can be proper
Life may look like fun and games Look up there, they love attention! I just love bein bad
Until youre messing with When you think you might have missed But whats so wrong with being bad
Mercedes and Ruth them When youre the best Ive ever had?
Think again! You werent listening
What is this, a clue? When I was a child
Morales! What did you find? Theyre heroes in the worst way I thought I would be
But I swear Im catch em someday Some sort of lovely lady with a college
Nothing yet, my friend degree
Except this trail they left behind So hang on tight and feast your eyes
On the tale... But now that doesnt matter
You see, young rookie Of Mercedes and Ruth Theres nowhere thatll lead
Ive been on the job too many years Forget it, cause Darlin, were the V.I.Ps
But theyre the two I cant get through 2. Best Ive Ever Had
So I will need you here You said it, Ditz!
Ch-t-ah~ Once upon a time
Ruth! I was never enough
We got the goods now! Did you ever imagine this? Till I met you
Excellent! Spend our nights our on the city streets Suddenly, life wasnt so tough
Well be just fine! Grabbing all we can
It may not look like much Ive spent my whole life
And when we prove them wrong But aint this enough to keep us happy Wondering what was wrong?
Then our lives wont be on the line And staying alive? I may not be good
Cause were But it dont mean I aint strong
Mamas one to tell me
Mercedes and Ruth! I wasnt allowed Weve been good at being bad
Were criminally genius To be reckless Get the moo-lah, card or cash
Keep this up, theyll never beat us! Well look at me now Rob em out straight from a bank
Get Morales off our tracks!
Mercedes and Ruth! Aint she proud?
Weve come from rags to riches To see her little girl Get Morales off our tracks!
Were the worst weve ever witnessed All grown up
We aint ever goin back! (No, no, no- 4. Two Birds (Regina Spektor) Cause Morales is back!
oh!) And Ill see you soon
Two birds on a wire
I can be proper One tries to fly away
I just love bein bad And the other

ACT II
But whats so wrong with being bad Watches her close
When youre the- From that wire
She says she wants to as well
Best Ive ever had But she is a liar 1. Take Me Home (Us The Duo)

3. Tango of the Seven Sins Ill believe it all Im only happy when Im with you
Theres nothing I wont understand Home for me is where you are
Michelin. Ill believe it all I try to smile and push on through
Dirty. I wont let go of your hand But home for me is where you are
Perfection.
More. Two birds on a wire They tell me that well make it
One says come on Itll only be a while
Wreckage. And the other says But a while lasts forever
Trouble. Im tired Without you
Green. The sky is overcast
And gore. And Im sorry Send out the alarms, Im all alone
One more or one less Wrap me in your arms and take me
Michelin. Nobodys worried home
Dirty. Take me home
Perfection. Ill believe it all To your arms
More. Theres nothing I wont understand
Ill believe it all Im only happy when Im with you
Wreckage. I wont let go of your hand Home for me is where you are
Trouble. These four walls are nothing without
Green. Two birds of a feather you
And gore! Say that theyre always But home for me is where you are
Gonna stay together
Seven Deadly Darlings But ones never goin to They tell me that well make it
Got something to teach you Let go of that wire Itll only be a while
Listen up closely, dare we beseech you She says that she will But a while lasts forever
Life doesnt end with you in a grin But shes just a liar Without you
When youre solely living on a sin
Two birds on a wire Send out the alarms, Im all alone
Seven Deadly Darlings One tries to fly away Wrap me in your arms and take me
Got something to teach you And the other home
Listen up closely, dare we beseech you Watches her close Take me home
Life doesnt even with you in a grin From that wire To your arms
When youre solely living on a sin She says she wants to as well
But she is a liar Send out the alarms, Im all alone
Michelin.
Dirty. Two birds on a wire Wrap me in your arms and take me
Perfection. One tries to fly away home
More. And the other
Take me
Wreckage. 5. Two Birds (Reprise)
Trouble. Home
I almost flew from a wire
Green. Giving up the chances we had Take me home
And gore. And though youre not with me Take me home
I swear, oh, Lorraine Take me home
Michelin. That Ill keep this promise we made To your arms
Dirty.
Perfection. Ill believe it all
More. Theres nothing that we cannot do
Wreckage. So if theres anyone out there to take
Trouble. down those thieves
Green Would it hurt to trust in me, too?
and gore!
2. Why Dont You Do Right (Peggy Lee) Well, her pretty little face stopped me in MORALES
my tracks What?
You had plenty money 1922 But now she sleeps with one eye open
You let other women make a fool of you Thats the price she paid MERCEDES
Why dont you do right, like some other You think youve got it down
men do I took a knife and cut out her eye But all you do is miss!
Get out of here and get me some I took it home and watched it wither
money too and die MORALES
Well, shes lucky that I didnt slip her a Mercedes!
Youre sittin down and wonderin what smile I hope you know we still have Ruth
its all about Thats why she sleeps with one eye under arrest
You aint got no money, they will put you open Anything against me is something I
out Thats the price she paid would
Why dont you do right, like some other not suggest
men do? I said, hey, girl with one eye
Get out of here and get me some Get your filthy fingers out of my pie MERCEDES
money too I said, hey, girl with one eye Is that a threat?
Ill cut your little heart out cause you
If you had prepared twenty years ago made me cry MORALES
You wouldnt be a-wanderin now from No, its the system
door to door I slipped my hand under her skirt Aint that what you said?
Why dont you do right, like some other I said dont worry, its not gonna hurt
men do? Oh, my reputations kinda clouded with MERCEDES
Get out of here and get me some dirt Hmmmm
money too Thats why you sleep with one eye open I see youre persistent
Thats the price you paid
Why dont you do right MORALES
Like some other men do? I said, hey, girl with one eye Just answer this one question
Get your filthy fingers out of my pie
3. Everything Stays (Adventure Time) I said, hey, girl with one eye MERCEDES
Ill cut your little heart out cause you Theres nothing that youd want to hear
Lets go in the garden made me cry I didnt do it
Youll find something waiting
Right there where you left it You made me cry MORALES
Lying upside down You made me cry Do you really think you can get away
You made me cry with this?
When you finally find it You better be careful what you say or
Youll see how its faded I said, hey, girl with one eye do
The underside is lighter Get your filthy fingers out of my pie Or youll be saying your goodbyes to
When you turn it around I said, hey, girl with one eye Ruth
Get your filthy fingers out my pie
Everything stays MERCEDES
Right where you left it I said, hey, girl with one eye Leave her out of this!!!
Everything stays Get your filthy fingers out of my pie
But it still changes I said, hey, girl with one eye MORALES
Ever so slightly Ill cut your little heart out cause you Weve got the evidence
Daily and nightly made me cry
In little ways MERCEDES
When everything stays 6. I Didnt Do It Ace, I didnt make em
You only wish I did
4. Everything Stays Reprise (Adventure MORALES
Time) The murders started on the 4th MORALES
What?
Ever so slightly MERCEDES
Daily and nightly Thats right MERCEDES
In little ways You wish it were me! (MORALES: No!)
When everything stays MORALES You wish it no one else but me!
Where did you happen to be 18th of Once you catch me youll be free!
5. Girl With One Eye (Florence and The October?
Machine) MORALES
MERCEDES You only wish Id set you free
She told me not to step on the cracks Now, Morales
I told her not to fuss and relax Dont you ever get tired of this?
MERCEDES Maybe were not so bad after all
From thinking that youre not enough
Until you catch at least just one of us Well be just fine someday
For now well be in here until the
heartache goes away
MORALES And little did I know youd both be
Youre in denial! friend instead of foe
And time would heal you through and
MERCEDES through it all
The only one in denial is you Cause no matter what weve done
Maybe were not so bad after all
MORALES
Dont be ridiculous! I may not understand just yet
How the world seems to forget
MERCEDES Who we are and what we do
Its true! But Ill get there someday soon
Why would I ever lie to you?
Life has made me quite a mess
MORALES None of which I do regret
Just admit- Cause you made me who I am

MERCEDES Ill be right here

That you are wrong and I am right? Cause you made me who I am
Darling dont fear
MORALES Cause you made me who I am
Theres something that Id want to hear
We dont know where this road leads to
MERCEDES Were all just a little bit confused
Theres nothing Love, its very clear Were only hopelessly believing
That maybe someday soon
MERCEDES & MORALES The world will feel brand new
I (You) didnt (did) do it And time will heal us through and
through it all
7. Not So Bad
We dont know where this road leads to
We dont know where this road leads to Were all just a little bit confused
Were all just a little bit confused Were only hopelessly believing
Were only hopelessly believing That maybe someday soon
That maybe someday soon The world will feel brand new
The world will feel brand new And time will heal us through and
And time will heal us through and through it all
through it all
Cause no matter what weve done
Maybe were not so bad after all Cause no matter what weve done
Ill be right here
I know whats right for me Cause no matter what weve done
Ive done enough to hurt the ones that Darling dont fear
meant something to me
And God, who knows how long Ill be Cause no matter what weve done
running after bravery Maybe were not so bad after all
But time will heal me through and
through it all
Cause no matter what Ive done
Maybe Im not so bad after all

I wont let go of you

Youve said that once before and I will
say the same to you
And though weve made mistakes of
holding onto this dark past
Then time will heal us through and
through it all
Cause no matter what weve done
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Production Team would like to send their gratitude to:

Sr. Dedicacion Rosario, SPC

Sr. Teresita Agana, SPC
Sr. Fides Pangilingan
Mr. Alexis Macapanpan
Mrs. Shiela Fetalvero
Ms. Christine Rigor
Sir Shaun Marasigan (Teacher In-Charge, Arts & Design Work Immersion)
Mr. Khauffer Fuerza
Ms. Kathlyn Pike

Ms. Ana Marie Hernandez and the English Area

General Services Staff

IMC Staff
IT Staff
SPI Staff
IMPC Staff

Ms. Marivi Zamora

Ms. Salve De la Paz
Ate Doris
Ms. Blessie Sotomayon

The Grade 12 PHCT Members:

Claro & Jeng Contreras
Ivy Gianzon
Annabelle Corpus

Design Lab Philippines

Friends and Families of the Production Team Members