The Magwayen Creative Scholars' Guild (or, simply Magwayen) is the premiere theater organization of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. It is the first organization in PLM to stage a full-length original musical play - Bidasari (1999), the first group to organize a literary contest - Gawad Magwayen (1998), and the first performing arts ensemble to hold a major concert - Incunabula (2000).
Founded in 1998 by Marlon Miguel, an award-winning screenplay writer, the organization already produced more than 10 major plays and many minor plays and other productions.
The Magwayen Name
The name Magwayen was derived from the Philippine history books. She is the Visayan deity for the otherworld, inspiring present-day scholars to conquer the world of the stage, literature and performing arts.
'Magwayen' temporarily changed its name to 'Marulaya' on its 12th anniversary . But it reverted to "Magwayen" the following year.
Divisions
The Dramatics Ensemble
Throughout the years, Magwayen has been renowned for producing original stage productions, from the epic musicals Bidasari, Indrapura, Ang Prinsepe ng Marulaya, and comedy Señorita Pretenciosa, to the darker dramas Casa Ligaya and Trajedia La Vida.
On September 20, 2007, Magwayen staged its boldest and most daring play to date, X (Eks) at the Tangahalang Manileño of the PLM. The said stage production is composed of ten short plays, a conglomeration of different artistic visions of various award-winning and talented directors, that depict the different facets of the Philippine society.
Performing Arts Group
Magwayen is proud of its performing arts division, which consist of the Voice Department and Dance Department. It is known for creating edgy and riveting production numbers. It has produced concerts featuring the university's home grown talents. The legendary Incunabula, jam-packed MMI, the celebrated Chill out at WOW and the Artist Fest 2006 were among the notable student concerts produced by the guild.
The Literary and Production Division
Magwayen takes pride for writing and mounting original productions. Students found a new way of speaking their hearts and soul through a variety of literary masterpieces. Some of their productions are Bidasari, Señorita Pretenciosa, Hawla, Tatlong Mukha, Ang Principe ng Marulaya, Live Act (comedy anthology, now with its 3rd installment), Indrapura, and many more.
List of Magwayen Directors
Aside from Marlon Miguel, Jerald Napoles, and Real Florido, Magwayen is home to talented and award-winning directors. In 2007, the following directors together with Real Florido collaborated to create a stageplay entitled Eks (X).