Plot Summary

When Rika was young, she and her father Ty were the best of friends. Over the years, this changes and their relationship becomes more strained. By her senior year of high school, they barely talk and know nothing about each other. In attempts to fix this, Ty starts planning a debut for his daughter in hopes of returning their relationship to the way it was before. However, Rika as a seventeen year old teenager is a different person with new friends, new interests in singing and rapping, and a new hobby of performing in cyphers. To mend their relationship and to have a successful debut, both Ty and Rika are going to have to learn to communicate with one another and overcome their differences.

Meet the team

director

Vanessa Lapitan

Vanessa is a senior graduating this June with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and hopes to pursue a Masters degree in Nursing. Born in Seattle, she lived in her grandparent’s house with her parents until they moved to Tacoma when she was 5 years old. Even when she was very young the arts had always been a part of her life from singing karaoke at family parties, being a part of school choirs and acting in musical during high school. In college, while participating in music and theater had to take the backseat to the various biology classes she had to take, she still found a way to participate in the arts through getting casted and performing in FilNight 2016. Now, as the director of Decypher: Find Your Voice she is happy to give back to the community through the medium of musical theatre!

"From being an actor two years ago, to script writing last year, and now being the director for my senior year, it's hard imagine what my college experience would be like without FilNight. It would probably be a little less stressful and I definitely would have more free time, but I would never choose any of that over taking part in this production, working with all the amazingly supportive people on my teams, and telling the stories of all of us. I am so excited and honored to share this year's production with everyone and I hope you all enjoy!"

Vanessa's Playlist

Assistant director

"I am truly grateful to have been involved in such a passionate and culturally driven production. Working alongside Vanessa Lapitan, I had the pleasure of being given the opportunity to meet, learn, and assist the members of this year's Filipino Night. Each individual that I worked with brought about a unique, creative perspective that I believe significantly enriched Filipino Night to what it has become today. Thank you to everyone involved and to everyone who supported us!"

Jesse's Playlist

Jesse Hernandez

the Characters

Isabella Tinte as RIka Sanchez

Rika is a troubled Filipino-American teenager who struggles to find the balance between finding her identity and pleasing her family. She has difficulties connecting with people and is often found by herself. She turns to music as a source of comfort and singing is her hidden talent.

Rika's Playlist

Steven Santos as Ty Sanchez

Ty is a father who usually comes across as reserved and courteous but is also prone to fits of anger and emotional outbursts. He tries to do what he thinks is best for his daughter Rika, which is often at odds with what she wants for herself. In spite of all this, he is highly protective of his family and loves them more than anything else.

Ty's Playlist

DECYPHER

Luke Bandagosa as Ley

Ley is a pragmatist whose range of emotions span from indifferent to spreadsheet. Easily flustered. The "backbone of the group."

Ley's Playlist

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Isabella Dalmacio as Sage

Sage is a Filipina high school student with a knack for rap. Guarded and protective of her group of friends, she doesn't let anything - or anyone - get in the way of their success.

Sage's Playlist

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Paolo Eleccion as Dil

Dil is the energy of the group. He brings a little comedic flavor to the dynamic of Decypher. He's best friends with Benny and is always bickering with Ley. Dil comes off as cocky and conceited. His flamboyant persona is something he uses to mask his insecurities. He really is nervous talking to girls, doesn't come from the wealthiest of families, and his family goes through ups and downs. Dil really depends on his friends and on music to break way from everything he has to deal with.

Dil's Playlist

Benze Deraco as Benny

Benny is a young, aspiring Filipino rapper and lyricist, who has big dreams and a big heart. He's the charismatic leader of the group, and although dense sometimes, has lots of love for his friends, music, culture, and a certain someone.

Benny's Playlist

Roxanne Garcia as Cori

Cori is the heart of the group. She puts her friends over everything. Good-natured and loving. She is sweet and always willing to help.

Cori's Playlist

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Jhasmine Rabara as Rosemary Sanchez

As a supportive wife and caring mother, Rosemary strives to do her best as the mediator between Rika and Ty. When the father and daughter don’t see eye to eye, she is the one who sheds the light in order to help them fix their relationship.

Rosemary's Playlist

Macy Bernabe as Tita Tessie

Tessie is Ty's older sister. She's the cool auntie of Rika's. She's very sweet, caring, and always supportive of Rika and her brothers.

Tita Tessie's Playlist

Leanna Tri as Tita Jenny

Tita Jenny is THAT aunt...the one we all have - the one that you hear before you even walk into the house, the one that always has something to say, the one that is always bickering with Tita Tessie. She may be salty and snarky, but she everything she says and does is out of love with everyones best interest in mind.

Tita Jenny's Playlist

Kheng Lapastora as Tito Juan

Tito Juan is Ty's brother-in-law. He is married to Tessie. He grew up in the Philippines so he knows how to speak in Tagalog. He is a caring and loving uncle to Rika, but expresses it through jokes and sassy remarks.

Tito Juan's Playlist

Matt Gomez as Tito Robert

Tito Robert is an enthusiastic, charismatic character that is always thinking positive about everything. He gets excited easily and is a kid at heart. her brothers.

Tito Robert's Playlist