MALACAÑANG MADE US

From the fall of a dictator to the rise of his heir

This landmark Filipino Australian premiere unfolds as an epic family drama — fathers, brothers and sons bound by love, torn by duty, and forced to reckon with the price of rebellion.

1986, Manila. As the world watches, a nation rises against a regime and history shifts overnight. On the evening of President Marcos’ exile, two brothers — Martin and Ernie — climb the walls of Malacañang Palace, storm its hallways, and for one fleeting moment, claim the dictator’s throne. Heroes, if only for a night.

Nearly forty years later in Brisbane, the brothers reunite. With Marcos’ heir poised for election and Martin’s teenage son Leo demanding change, the three men must confront the legacies they carry — and the choices that will define their future.

In this Queensland Premier’s Drama Award–winning work, writer Jordan Shea (Ate Lovia, Kasama Kita) and director Kenneth Moraleda (4000 Miles, One Hour No Oil) weave a sweeping story of family and revolution.

Starring an acclaimed Filipino Australian cast — Marty Alix (Hamilton, In The Heights), Mark Paguio (Spiderhead, The Twelve), Marcus Rivera (Miss Saigon, The King and I), Miguel Usares (Joan Must Die, Stupid Fucking Bird), and Mike Zarate (Come From Away, Young Rock) — this ambitious and haunting theatrical epic celebrates the power of ordinary people to confront the past, find their voice, and shape the future.

"Epic in its theatricality…an unforgettable journey through a tantalising collision of languages, times and places."

— Judges Panel, Queensland Premier’s Drama Award

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THE REVIEWS ARE IN

★★★★½
“Pulsing with authenticity and grounded in lived diasporic experience … this production marks a significant cultural milestone”
— ArtsHub

“Malacañang Made Us is that rare thing: a politically engaging work that feels alive, funny, and deeply personal. It’s as thrilling as it is moving …”
— Stage Whispers

“A compelling testament to the power of truth and storytelling that transcends generations and national boundaries.”
— The Philippine Times

“Malancañang Made Us is a triumph … these stories bring us together as a nation.”
— Westender

“Whether you’re familiar with this chapter of history or coming to it for the first time, the production offers plenty to reflect on — and a timely reason to return to the theatre.”
— Embrace Brisbane

“A beautifully observed, culturally rich, coming of age exploration”
— Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane

“A compelling reminder of legacy”
— Blue Curtains Brisbane

“Jordan Shea’s writing is confident and compassionate; Kenneth Moraleda’s direction, inventive and assured; and the cast’s performances, simply outstanding.”
— Stage Whispers

“At its heart, Malacañang Made Us is less about politics and more about families marked by upheaval, bound by a need to belong.”
— ArtsHub

“Shea’s script is remarkably well-balanced; it’s politically charged without being didactic, poetic yet grounded, historically detailed but never weighed down by exposition.”
— Stage Whispers

“A poignant and expressive new work that explores memory, identity, and political legacy with emotional depth.”
— The Philippine Times

“Director Kenneth Moraleda approaches the material with a confident hand and an impeccable sense of rhythm. The interplay between past and present could easily have become chaotic, yet feels fluid and intentional.”
— Stage Whispers

“A reminder that history doesn’t just repeat — it returns in different forms, often closer than we expect.”
— Embrace Brisbane