Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio

(The Trial of Old Serapio)

Synopsis:

Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio follows the trial of Mang Serapio, an elderly man accused by the Federacion of beggars of rearing a child. The trial is a mere formality, with the outcome already determined. Mang Serapio claims that his child, a daughter, is dead. The interrogators turn to two men sent to kidnap the child. They return empty-handed but bring with them a chest they discovered in Serapio's shanty. Thinking the chest contains evidence of the girl's existence, the interrogators order the padlocked chest to be opened. Serapio strenuously objects, but the interrogators disregard his objections. The chest contains a rag doll that Serapio calls by his daughter's name. The head interrogator leads the beggars in blinding him.

Theatre Productions:

First produced in 1968 in the Audio-Visual Room of the Ateneo de Manila High School.

Director: Paul Dumol

1969/1970s

Theatre/Company: PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association)

Director: Nonon Padilla Jr.

1979–1980

Theatre/Company: Tanghalang Ateneo, Ateneo de Manila University

Director: Various (Student Directors)

1989

Theatre/Company: Tanghalang Pilipino, CCP National Drama Festival

Director: Not specified

2015

Theatre/Company: Society of Performing Arts–Talents Development Guild, Inc.

Director: Dennis S. Obispo

2018Theatre/Company: The Ruins, Poblacion, Makati (Theatre Titas & Duende Theatre)

Director: Juan Ekis

Awards:

2018 Theatre Titas & Duende Theatre Production (50th Anniversary)

BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards (2020):

• Best Director of the Decade: Juan Ekis

• Best Production of the Decade

• Best Set Design of the Decade: Greg Rodriguez

• Best Sound Design of the Decade: Greg Rodriguez

• Nominations: Six total nominations, including Best Production, Best Director, Best Featured Actress, and others.

  
  

Published Version:

Dumol, P. (1982). "The Trial of Mang Serapio." In B. Lumbera (Ed.), Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology (English edition) (pp. 513–519). Anvil Publishing.

Dumol, P. A. (1968). Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio [Play script]. Scribd. Retrieved March 12, 2026, from https://www.scribd.com/document/699177188/Ang-Paglilitis-Ni-Mang-Serapio-by-Paul-Dumol-full-script

Literature East and West Journal. December 1969. Vol. XIII, Nos. 3–4.

Maramba, Asuncion.(1990) Philippine contemporary literature in English and Filipino (6th ed.). Metro Manila, Philippines: Bookmark, Inc.

References:

Agustin, I. (2025). "Revealing Power Structure Through Language: Dialogue Analysis of an Excerpt in Paul Arvisu Dumol’s Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio Using Conversational Patterns" [Manuscript]. ResearchGate.