Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts Director Hobart Savior is part of the cast of the Integrated Performing Arts Guild’s (IPAG), “Ming Ming,” the Palanca Award-winning play by Steven PC Fernandez.

“Ming Ming” is a story of three generations of a powerful Maranao family dealing with issues of politics, family honor and family feud. As Ming Ming uncovers the secrets of her family, the audience, too, learns about peace, conflict and social reform.

Savior played the role of P, Ming Ming’s resentful uncle who tries to impose his fundamentalist views on her niece and her mother.

The play was staged earlier this May at Xavier University during the soft launching of IPAG’s 35th Season. In its staging this July at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, 17 out of its 19 performances were standing-room only.  Since it premiered in 2004, “Ming Ming” has gained critical acclaim.  It won the Palanca award in 2006. 

Acting in the play along with Savior were other IPAG veterans Diane Therese Clemente, Venus Tan, Jean Graciela Penola, Orwel Obach, Kenn Erwin Velasquez and Leilani Fernandez. Michael Lagura and Blesy Cece played alternating roles. The play was directed by Fernandez, himself, who also wrote and recorded the music score.

IPAG is a leading Mindanao-based theater company. It has performed in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, North America, and all over the country. Savior has been a member of IPAG since 1996.