"Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing", inspired by the comic strip drawn by National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, is about a gentle turtle and a wily monkey planting a banana tree.

Thinking that the upper part of the banana stalk with leaves would flourish faster, the greedy monkey chooses to plant the upper half. But not for long, it starts to wither.

The turtle on the other hand, gets the ugly-looking lower portion with the roots which immediately begins to bear fruits.

Since the turtle cannot climb the tree to gather the fruits, the monkey volunteers to harvest them for him. But instead of giving the bananas to the turtle, he eats all the fruits while up on the tree.

Angry, the turtle mounts pointed nails around the banana trunk to hurt the monkey.

The furious monkey on the other hand plans to get even with the turtle, and tries to punish him.

He gives the turtle two options: whether to be pounded with a mortar or to be thrown into the water.

Naturally, the clever turtle opted for the first option and got the monkey thinking that he would drown if he throws him into the water.

So, the monkey throws the turtle into the water and eventually realizes that he was deceived by the turtle again.

"Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing" is directed by Tony Espejo and written by multi-Palanca winner J. Dennis Teodosio. Jesse Lucas is the musical director.

The production features Michael King Urieta (Pagong), Francis Ong (Matsing), Meldea Flor Formacil (Suso), Anthony Cruz (Tarsier), Rommel Ponseca (Mango), Ronald Concepcion (Acacia), John Paolo Garcia (Mangrove), Rene Nisperos (Upper Banana) and Rommel Aratan (Lower Banana).

For tickets and inquiries email gantimpalaproduction@yahoo.com.ph