RAMON CASTILLANES TEÑOSO
Playwright, Founder, International Award-winning Film Director and Artistic Director
For PTUK/Red Toad Productions & Teatro Pilipinas
Known as “Direk or Chie” to his family and friends, Ramon is a British-Filipino-playwright who started writing church and school plays at the age of 13! Perhaps, he is the only active and prolific “pinoy” playwright in Europe, having at one stage written 3 full length plays in one year! A creative and innovative playwright, Direk Chie has written 31 unique and original plays and 2 adaptations (33 in total) ranging from drama, musical, comedy to horror-fantasy. He is the founder of Philippine Theatre UK- which is the only active British-Filipino community theatre in the Europe that produces new original plays every year in London. He also created the adventures PAPA CHIE, a special theatre play designed for people with special needs.
He was the first Filipino to be awarded a high-profile management training position sponsored by the Independent Theatre Council, UK. His years of hard work and dedication to help and train others to explore their creativity through theatre arts was finally acknowledged when he received the prestigious award of Outstanding Ogtonganon (leader) 2018 for championing theatre arts. In May 2019, Direk Chie received an award as “Outstanding Alumnus for his contribution in Theatre Arts” from his high school Alma mater, Arts and Culture Award, London 2023, Awardee -Outstanding Ilonggo 2023 given by Ilo-Ilo Provincial Government and Outstanding Ogtonganon in Arts and Culture, Oton, Ilo-ilo 2023.
Aside from writing/directing theatre plays and films, He is also an expert speaker/lecturer and coach in Theatre Arts. He provides workshops in Personnel Development, Self-Confidence, Creative thinking, Team building, Leadership and theatre management using theatre arts to various groups in the UK and Abroad.
Direk Ramon has a master’s degree in Psychology. He also studied Sociology and Religion, Counselling and Art Therapy.
Film Achievements:
His second historical short docu-drama KATAGMAN which was produced in 2022 currently has 35 international awards including Cannes World Film Festival – France Best Director – Documentary short – August 2022, Best Shorts Competition – U.S.A Best Documentary, September 2022, GAW & DP Film Festival – Scotland Best Director, September 2022 Tokyo Film Festival – Japan Best Production Design, October 2022 and the list goes on. Also, his feature long film CHAINED (inspired by the play Migrants) won last November 2021 as Best Feature Film at the Falcon International Film Festival UK! Direk Chie is currently working on his two plays for 2025: The 7 Angels (which is based on true story) and the Diary of Fr. Zebedee. Watch this space!
KAREN JOY MERCADO
Karen has a BSc in Mass Communication from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). She performed in several plays during her Secondary and College days. Karen is one of APO Restobar’s artist/comedian/performer and host. This is her first play with PTUK and also her acting debut in the UK.
To PTUK: “It is a great honour for me to be a part of PTUK’s MIGRANTS and thank you for this opportunity given to me to act again after many decades.”
MARTIN BRITT
I come full circle! This is my 6th main production with PTUK. My debut being the previous staging of Migrants. It’s great to be back with the PTUK family and performing again. I’m also a keen badminton player, cricketer and long-standing captain. I relish the opportunity to perform on different stages and positions of responsibility. Here’s to the renewed and continued success of PTUK!
GHEY ADRIANO
Born in the welcoming country of the Philippines, from the province of Nueva Ecija. A PTUK member for 9 years, a backstage and props manager for 3 years, and presently PTUK Finance Director. ..She has a lovely husband, whose very supportive to her all the time…..She is known as a caring and giving mother of three attractive sons and three lovely daughters. For her, life is her family and friends, whom she can trust and who can be trusted in return. She appeared in the film version of Migrants…
MARK BARTON
Mark was born in Carshalton and raised in Raynes Park, London. His first connection with the Filipino community was in 1976 and so he will soon be celebrating 50 years with the people that he loves. He enjoys being involved in sport and is a staunch supporter of PTUK.
Philippine Theatre UK 