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.”
