The star of Lasa Ng Imperyo, playing at the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival (until Saturday, 08 February 2025) Carmela Sison talks to Joseph Planta about the adaptation of the Jovanni Sy play A Taste of Empire, preparing bangus on stage and more.

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

An adaptation of Jovanni Sy’s A Taste of Empire has been playing as part of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival this past week. There are five more performances of Lasa Ng Imperyo, evening performances tonight, tomorrow and Thursday and Friday, with a matinee on Saturday. Visit www.pushfestival.ca for tickets and information. Joining me now is Carmela Sison, the star of the rice & beans theatre production, who was also instrumental in this adaptation and translation. The show is Tagalog with English surtitles. I’ll ask Carmela about the show, and the themes explored like globalisation and colonialism, along with how the food we consume is shaped by the world around us, and how tastes, even identity are formed as a result. During the show, Ms. Sison’s character, Sous-Chef Mela prepares and cooks a stuffed milkfish, rellenong bangus. It’s a complicated dish to prepare, as the fish is deboned, and then stuffed usually with tomatoes, onions and other aromatics. Carmela Sison is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA in Acting program, who has been working in the theatre and film for fifteen years. As well as acting, she’s produced, worked in arts administration, and coaching for young actors. The show’s on at The Nest on Granville Island. The production is directed by Marcus Youssef. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Carmela Sison; Ms. Sison, good morning.

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