ArThES or Artistic Theater for Evangelization Society is community theater-group in Marikina City. It started as a parish-based group and flourished as one of a major group in the city.

ArThES was dubbed through the dream of eleven youth parishioners from the communities of Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned, Marikina City. It was officially formed last April 20, 2002 and acknowledged by the Parish Pastoral Council during the monthly meeting last May 2002.

The pioneering members were collective acting workshop graduates of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Bulwagang Gantimpala, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and ABS-CBN Workshops; that includes Elenita Enriquez-Cruz, Engelbert Manuel, Eric Viray, Jenny Cruz, Alberto Afurong, Rommel Domingo, Noemi Mariano, Elmer Cezar Jr., Pachot Santos, Jenny Reboldila and Angel Crisostomo.

The aim of the founding members was to have a group that would handle theater productions of the parish and knows the technical-know-how of the aforementioned processes. It started with a vision of becoming the leading proponent of evangelization through theater arts that materialized through the guidance of Rev. Msgr. Arnel F. Lagarejos, Parish Priest, PETA Alumnus.

The pilot project of the group was a musical concert entitled “Maria, Ina Namin” last September 7, 2002, at the Maririkina City Hall Quadrangle. It featured priests and choirs at the community through the supervision of the founding chairman Angel Crisostomo (President, 2002-2003). Then, it was followed by “Maria, Ina ng Pamilyang Pilipino” (Priests in Concert) which was held at Teatro Marikina, last February 28, 2003.

Different parish projects and presentations came over like “Rosaryong Sambayanan” and “Andoy” among anothers. Theater discipline which enhanced the member’s skills on performing arts was initiated under the leadership of the Dong Afurong (President, 2003-2004). Outreach programs and Basic Acting workshops were also supervised.

The draft of the statutes was formed through the supervision of Jenro Reboldila (President, 2004-2005) with the Special Committee for the Construction of the ArThES Statutes (SCCAS) that includes Dong Afurong, Rodel Enriquez, Angel Crisostomo, Eds Santos, Benedict Asuncion and Elmer Cezar Jr. During her term, the first passion play (senakulo) outside the parish was supervised at St. Paul of the Cross Parish. It was another step of fulfilling the group’s vision—the parishioners from a different locale acknowledged the outstanding performance last March 2005 for the said senakulo.

Another first came for the group when Ms. Ria Yusi of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor School (OLOPSS) invited ArThES through Rodel Enriquez (President, 2005-2006) to join the musical adaptation “Celebrate Life” that includes performances of John Roland Santos, Dong Afurong, Aaron Paul Santos, Danielle Anne Cruz, Randolph Bizares and James Eustaquio. Aside from that, the group was also invited to perform at the Membership Assembly of Philippine Dental Association—Marikina Chapter, which was held at Sentrong Pangkultura ng Marikina. During this period, the draft of the statutes was also presented to the Msgr. Lagarejos and suggested some revisions.

Acting workshops and outreach program was also supervised to continue the development of the member’s skill on acting. Aside from that, a fund-raising concert was supervised by ArThES which featured “Hangad” of Jesuit Communications Ministry in Ateneo de Manila University, last March 25, 2006. Then, the annual panunuluyan and passion play made its mark once again.

Came April 2006, Msgr. Manny T. Balbago Jr. was appointed as the new parish priest. The leadership of Rodel Enriquez continued through his appointment. In December 2006, ArThES was removed under the umbrella council of the parish due to the revisions of the Parish Pastoral Council members's scope of duties & responsibilities. Came January 2007, the leadership was endorsed to Aaron Paul Santos. However, the members continued it's legacy and it was transformed as a community-based theater group.

As the group continues to grow, it’s vision to become the leading proponent of evangelization through theater arts stands with great power. The mission of the group evolved: to create essential and meaningful projects that would help in spreading the Good News; create artistic awareness and appreciation among the members of the Catholic community; unite and create comradeship among the members of the community through theater arts; and discover, develop, and showcase the talent of the Catholic community; To enrich the artistic talents of the Roman Catholics.<br /><br />

Wikipedia Entry by Dellquez, 04:15, 10 April 2007 (UTC)