Huni brings thesis to life

Huni brings thesis to life

A History: First Bikol Musical

By Englebert A. Villegas

From a dream of promoting Bikol culture to actualizing a thesis, Huni nin Sarong Gamgam: Sarong Pasaling Musikal (Pagbalangibog kan mga Bikol na Awit-Banwaan sa paagi nin  Pasali sa  Entablado) was staged last 19 February at the Arrupe Convention Hall.

4-AB Communication students Ann Jilian B. Borja, Guia B. Nacario, Jiren S. Pasario had made all the paper works last semester and advanced to production making this semester, inviting some Media Studies students and playhouse enthusiasts to portray certain roles.

Providing positive feedbacks on the presentation, Noel Volante, Ph.D., Media Studies Chairperson Digna Mac-Paner Alba, Ph.D. and Paz Verdadez Matina Santos, Ph.D served as the panelists during the first day of showing which was also the defense and critiquing part.

Seeing the potential success of the stage play, the Center for Culture and Arts sponsored the program for second day’s airing as public exposure, which drew more audience.

Meanwhile, Digital Illustration and Animation transferee-student Eugine Valeza, a musical aficionado, composed a new arrangement of the ten songs incorporated in the event, namely:  Sarong Bangui, Pantomina, Bulanon, An Mga Soltero, Si Natay, Si Tatay, Hematea Man, Ano daw itong sa Gogon, Marasa Pabaya, Sa Baybayon nin Sisiran, Caturog na Nonoy, Isipon mo Sana and their original song, Igwa nin Lalake.

According to Borja, Nacario and Pasario, this was the first time that a thesis had materialized into a real musical play done in Bikol language.

“We’ve decided na buhayon an mga Bicol folk songs through play-acting para makatabang kami na dae mawara ang kultura ta mismo. Sige magpasurvey man kamo digdi sa Ateneo ta mayo lamang d’yan ang may kantang Bikol sa playlists ninda,” said Pasario.

He also added that due to globalization, “natatahuban ang culture ta.” “Nagkaigwa na kami nin theater arts na course for one sem tapos ginamit mi para tawan gabat ang written project mi, na bako lang basta mini-concert.”

“Sana magka-igwang awareness an mga Atenista asin mga Bikolano sa beauty kan folk songs ta tapos sana man i-embrace kan mga Bikolano  an sadiri tang kultura bago an iba, which is the main goal of our thesis,” Borja furthered.

Welcome to the show!

Phillyda Lloyd’s Abba Musical Show was their “inspirational basis in coming up with one sensible story” for enactment out of the different songs they have gathered. Like a “Sarswela” also, the show had various subjects; of which love was its general theme.

The theatrical production’s tale was set in an isolated island having a secluded community and as the play went on, the mysteries of the place has been unveiled, leading to a tragic end.

As inspired by the Barcelonita community in Cabusao, Pasario expressed his appreciation of Bikol culture voicing out that “maraming bagay na madidiskubre pa sa Bicol, hindi lang Ibalon, Peňafrancia… kundi something new, ‘yung other faces of Bicol.”

Contrariwise, Nacario stressed out that they had problems with the procurement of funds, the location of practices and the documents needed by different offices; whereas Volante cited that the students already know these sorts of requirements and expenses when talking about production.

The three production heads, however, were still ‘grateful for the success of their show which gave life to one side of Bicol identity, but “hoping that time would come when actors and dramatic pieces will have their own venues in this world.”