play to live!
providing accessible theater arts and education to all
mabuhay!
what does MABUHAY mean?
Mabuhay is a Tagalog word chanted by Filipino revolutionaries that translates to “long live.”
Today, it is often used as “welcome.”
As Mabuhay Players, we want to revisit the original meaning of the word and take it further. It’s about living a good, full, and pure life. Theater can help us explore it’s depths. Through the stories of humanity’s past to the words we can create in the future, we want to show how theater can help us become creative thinkers, empathetic leaders, and purposeful communicators.
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welcome
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long live
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together
• welcome • long live • together
“When I became an educator, I wanted to end my correspondences with something close to my heart and heritage. I decided to use “mabuhay” as a way of wishing someone a long life. The more I thought about it and what I wanted to convey, it transformed into something deeper. More Life.”
- Lovelle Liquigan, co-founder
We are a non-profit organization that provides accessible theater arts and education to all. We believe in removing the barriers that prevent families from participating in the arts.
We have witnessed firsthand how theater can bring people together, and teach essential life skills of storytelling, teamwork, and discipline. We aim to create experiences that show how worthwhile it is to engage one another with respect and encouragement, and that everyone has the capacity to be creative, to have a powerful voice, and has unique experiences to share.
We are based in Cerritos, CA, with our classes and camps taking place in the Cerritos and Long Beach areas.
strive for excellence!
Mabuhay Players is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
TAX ID # 93-4572222
let’s get better together
Check out our classes and keep an eye out for Spring and Summer offerings!
"In all my years watching children's singing performances, Ms. Liquigan's topped them all. I was smiling and moved to tears... The attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and passion that Ms. Liquigan brought to this event is like nothing I've ever experienced. Her ability to bring out the children's voices to be heard by all is nothing short of amazing, the result beautifully melodic. I could see in the children's eyes and expressions that they, too, were moved and inspired by Ms. Liquigan. To witness it in person was thrilling, uplifting, and soothing at the same time. This was the event I didn't know my heart and soul needed, or perhaps have been yearning. A year later, what you created with our kids still has impact.”
-Tom Y, Dad of Kindergarten, 3rd and 5th grade students
Make a donation.
If you resonate with our mission, please consider donating to help us continue our work. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, tax ID: 93-4572222.
By supporting our efforts, you are helping kids discover their talents and passions, and also contributing to a more vibrant and connected community.
Together, let's empower the next generation through the transformative power of theater arts. Your donation, no matter the amount, makes a difference in the lives of these children. Join us in creating a positive impact and spreading joy through creativity.
Thank you for your support!
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here for more information.
Acting on Love
The Story Behind Our Founders
Lovelle and Erwin founded Mabuhay Players with the belief that every young person should have the chance to experience the magic of theater. They noticed that the opportunities available for youth theater required an investment from families that did not lead to any meaningful development in their child’s education and life.
Their Prologue
Lovelle and Erwin met in 2009 at a play Erwin was starring in. An actor herself, Lovelle was impressed and captivated by his performance she went out of her comfort zone and made the first move. From that moment on, their shared passion for theater ignited a collaboration that transcended the stage. As partners in both marriage and creativity, they continued to act and produce plays together, and also produced two little creatives of their own, aged 6 and 8.
Through Mabuhay Players, they want to create ways for families to help their child grow their interest of theater and the skills it can teach them. Their hope is that each child who shows up realizes that they hold the magic within.
meet
Lovelle Liquigan
Lovelle Liquigan is a theater arts educator, inspiring and helping her students realize that theater gives them life skills that they can utilize in their everyday lives.
She hopes that students recognize that anyone has the capacity to be creative, and no matter what our experiences, we learn to let our empathy lead the way. They will learn that practice makes better, and that the journey is the dream.
meet
Erwin Tuazon
Erwin’s passion for theater began when a touring acting company performed for his middle school, and grew even more when he saw his sister play Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream for her high school theater.
He believes that learning to communicate in front of an audience is one of the most important skills in life and translates to any professional setting. It is his great hope to inspire students to take the skills of adaptability, empathy, storytelling, and teamwork learned from theater and apply them to any their goals.
“You saw something in my shy, little girl and helped her shine her light!!
-Mia P, Mom of 3rd grade student
-Lucy A, former student
Local elementary students after a school performance.
“I always remember what Ms. Liquigan says, "I believe in you." Acting is my passion. And you made that passion grow bigger and bigger.”
-Lucena P, 6th grade student
"You have no idea how much you mean to each and every one of us. You especially helped me see that theater can be a path in the future.”
-Tahia C, 6th grade student
“I'm really not sure how to tell you how great, no, how amazing of a theater teacher you are. You have brought my confidence level up and made scary times into something different.”
-Ella T, 6th grade student
“It was no secret that you touched a few students lives by helping them find themselves, find their voice and more...mine included.”
-Cristina P, Mom of 4th and 6th grade students
“I cannot express how happy I am to have found a coach, teacher, mentor like you. Never in my life have I found a teacher who really cared about me, and how I turned out. Respecting other people the way you do is a very powerful thing. You focus on the good in me and everyone else."
-Vanessa Y, 6th grade student
“Thank you for helping me step out of my shell to express myself and telling me to dig a little more deeper into the meaning. You helped me open up. So thank you for all the work and dedication...”
-Norah L, 4th grade student
“Thank you for bringing me out of my comfort zone and helping me speak more. Salamat!”
-Sierra G, 6th grade student