One night only with Stephanie Sy

by Oscar Pantaleon Jr.

	“Representation does matter.” Stephanie Sy hopes more Filipino audiences will see themselves reflected on major stages like Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. (Photo by David MacDonald.)

Winnipeg audiences have been following Stephanie Sy’s artistic career through the pages of Pilipino Express over the years. Although we were introduced only recently through our mutual friend, diasporic theatre director and scholar Dennis Gupa, I soon learned how highly regarded and accomplished she is within both theatre and film circles.

Now, Stephanie has reached another milestone. She is currently starring at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre in a new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac. Theatre critic Liz Nicholls of 12thnight.ca praised her performance, writing, “Sy is a real sparkler as Roxanne.”

After her Citadel debut, she heads back to Winnipeg to prepare for Daan: A Journey Through Song, a one-night-only concert at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre on May 30.

Looking back through music

The idea for Daan first began as a way to support Rizal, a new musical by Winnipeg writer and composer Joseph Aragon about Philippine national hero José Rizal. After conversations with RMTC artistic director Kelly Thornton and concert director Nina Lee Aquino, the event expanded into a broader celebration of Filipino Canadian musical theatre.

The title Daan, the Tagalog word for “road,” carries special meaning for Stephanie at this stage of her career. “As I move through my path, it’s become more and more important to me what I’m representing as a storyteller,” she explains. “Being a Filipino Chinese artist is a core part of who I am that I want reflected on stage and on screen.”

Curating the show’s repertoire became unexpectedly emotional. “When I was making selections for the concert, it became a really cathartic process,” she recalls. “It was meaningful to look back on all the musicals I’ve done and the Filipino work that has shaped and influenced my journey as an artist.”

The concert is both personal reflection and artistic statement for her. “Daan, to me, represents looking at my past, the Filipino Canadian works that exist right now, and the kinds of stories I hope to continue being part of in the future.”

More than performance

Sharing Daan top billing with Stephanie is acclaimed Filipino Canadian performer Ma-Anne Dionisio, an artist she has admired for many years. “Being around her feels like being around someone who gently lifts everyone up,” Stephanie says, “and who brings a kind of calm clarity into the room.”

Together, they will give audiences a chance to hear the stories behind the songs and the emotional realities behind a staging. “Oftentimes when you see a performance on stage, you don’t normally get to hear what it takes to get those productions up and running, or the heart behind each show,” Stephanie says.

“Ma-Anne and I will be sharing stories of what these songs mean to us personally, giving insight to the process, experience, and connection we had with these pieces,” she adds.

Representation, visibility, and accessibility

With only two weeks to go, Stephanie is excited to see Filipino concertgoers at RMTC. “I hope they will leave feeling proud, inspired, and connected,” she says, “not only seeing the incredible Filipino Canadian work that already exists, but also feeling excited about where it can still go.”

That commitment to representation remains central to her work. “Our community holds so many powerful stories about family, sacrifice, resilience, joy, and belonging,” she observes. “I want RMTC to feel like a place Filipinos know, recognize, and see themselves in.”

For Stephanie, visibility on stage can have a powerful effect on audiences. “Seeing people who look like you and relate to your experiences makes the art feel more accessible, personal, and possible,” she emphasizes. “I want to share this with everyone as much as I possibly can.”

Daan: A Journey Through Song. 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 30, at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Tickets and information: www.royalmtc.ca.

Limited tickets to Magdaragat Philippines: 50 Years of Magic are still available. To purchase tickets, contact Goldie Garcia at (204) 292-7921 or e-mail magdaragat@hotmail.com.