Tony Mabesa

Mabesa was born in Los Baños, Laguna. He entered high school at the University of the Philippines Rural High School, where he first directed a school production. He finished his degree in Agriculture at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, where he was mentored by Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero. He was a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi.{{Cite web|title=Upsilon Sigma Phi to stage 'Bintao' as centennial offering|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/cbb/content/674340/upsilon-sigma-phi-to-stage-bintao-as-centennial-offering/story/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=GMA News Online|date=November 11, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=TDT|date=November 19, 2018|title=Blazing trails in arts and culture|url=https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2018/11/19/blazing-trails-in-arts-and-culture/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=Daily Tribune|language=en-US}}

He pursued a master's degree in theater arts at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1965, and a master's degree in education at the University of Delaware in 1969. He took further studies in dramatic literature at the University of Minnesota.{{Cite web|date=September 18, 2015|title=Tony Mabesa: 'First of all, you have to be healthy to be in theater'|url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/207046/tony-mabesa-first-of-all-you-have-to-be-healthy-to-be-in-theater/|access-date=June 23, 2020|website=Inquirer Lifestyle|language=en-US}} While in the US, worked as a stage manager to Sir Tyrone Guthrie, where he "observed up close how a campus-based theater organization should be run and could work."

Upon his return from studies abroad, Mabesa was offered a teaching position at the UP Diliman's Department of Speech Communications and Theater Arts. As an educator, Mabesa pushed for the establishment of a Baccalaureate program devoted to Theater Arts, which began in 1978, and a Master of Arts in Theater Arts Program at the UP Diliman Campus.{{cn|date=July 2022}}

He founded the theater groups Dulaang UP (DUP) in 1976, the UP Playwright's Theater in 1980, and later on founded the Angeles University Foundation Reportory Theater in 2005. In 1978, he served as Theater Director of the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

Over the course of his career, he directed and produced over 170 productions. He mentored some of the country's most prominent theater artists, such as Shamaine Centenera, Irma Adlawan, Nonie Buencamino, Eugene Domingo, Frances Makil-Ignacio, and Neil Ryan Sese.

Mabesa died on October 4, 2019, aged 84, in Manila.{{Cite web|last=Rappler.com|title=Veteran actor Tony Mabesa dies at 84|url=http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/241794-tony-mabesa-dies-at-84|access-date=2020-06-23|website=Rappler|date=4 October 2019 |language=en}}

• Rosa Mistica (1988)
• Macho Dancer (1988) – Customer 1
• Tukso Layuan Mo Ako! (1991)
• Ipagpatawad Mo (1991) – EENT Doctor
• Sa Isang Sulok ng Mga Pangarap (1993)
• Kadenang Bulaklak (1994) – Mr. Benigno Doctolero
• Pangako ng Kahapon (1994) – Bishop
• The Maggie dela Riva Story: God... Why Me? (1994) – Appeal lawyer
• Iukit Mo sa Bala (1994) – Padre Celso
• Ang Ika-Labing Isang Utos: Mahalin Mo Asawa Mo (1994) – Priest
• Redeem Her Honor (1995) – Rosendo's lawyer
• The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995) – Foreign Affairs Sec. Roberto Romulo
• Closer to Home (1995) – Señor de Villa
• Muling Umawit ang Puso (1995) – Sen. Labrador
• Kristo (1996) – Caifás
• Bilang Na ang Araw Mo (1996) – Sen. Cepeda
• Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (1996) – Colonel Baluyot
• The Sarah Balabagan Story (1997) – Foreign Affairs Sec. Domingo Siazon
• José Rizal (1998) – Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja
• Katawan (1999) – Don Villaverde
• Mister Mo, Lover Ko (1999) – Priest
• Azucena (2000) – Tomas' boss
• Abandonada (2000) – Atty. Mallonca
• Deathrow (2000) – Governor Asunta
• Mila (2001) – Mr. De Castro
• Walang Kapalit (2003) – Mr. Cesar Rustia
• Filipinas (2003) – Father Manalo
• Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita (2004) – Mayor Aldecoa
• Pacquiao: The Movie (2006) – Ruben Novales
• Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di (2006) – Ang Kong
• Ploning (2008) – Susing
• Fuchsia (2009) – Mayor Sunga
• Father Jejemon (2010) – Fr. Baby
• Niño (2011)
• Migrante (2012)
• The Mistress (2012) – Maestro Emil
• El Presidente (2012) – Gen. Echaluche
• Bayang Magiliw (2013)
• Lihis (2013)
• She's the One (2013)
• Bride for Rent (2014) – Mr. Benjamin
• Maybe This Time (2014) – Pancho
• Past Tense (2014) – Lolo Jules
• Felix Manalo (2015) – Pastor Guillermo Zarco
• Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
• Clarita (2019)

• Villa Quintana (1995–1997)
• Vietnam Rose (2005)
• Pasan Ko ang Daigdig (2007)
• Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (2008)
• Una Kang Naging Akin (2008)
• May Bukas Pa (2009)
• Basahang Ginto (2010)
• My Little Juan (2013)
• Maalaala Mo Kaya (2014)
• FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2015)

• Best Supporting Actor, 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival: Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
• Gawad CCP Para sa Sining awardee for Theater (2015)
• Upsilonian, Noble and Outstanding (UNO) Award{{Cite web|last=Torrevillas|first=Domini M.|title=Events to remember|url=https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2020/02/27/1996397/events-remember|access-date=2020-06-23|website=philstar.com}}
• Order of National Artists of the Philippines (2022)

{{National Artists of the Philippines}}

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Category:1935 births

Category:2019 deaths

Category:20th-century Filipino male actors

Category:21st-century Filipino male actors

Category:ABS-CBN people

Category:Filipino artists

Category:Filipino male dramatists and playwrights

Category:Filipino male film actors

Category:Filipino male television actors

Category:Filipino theatre directors

Category:GMA Network (company) people

Category:Male actors from Laguna (province)

Category:People from Los Baños, Laguna

Category:TV5 Network people

Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni

Category:University of Delaware alumni

Category:University of the Philippines Los Baños alumni