Philippine Theater

PHILIPPINE THEATER

PHILIPPINE THEATER Philippine theater is the sum total of mimetic performances developed and presented through history on occasions and for purposes determined by social purpose and need.

DIVISIONS  Historical Essays  Forms and types  Aspects of Production  Major Works  Artists and Organizations

Historical Essays

 Indigenous Theatre- The rituals, dances, and customs

which are still performed with urgency and vitality by the different cultural communities that comprise about 5% of the country’s population are held or performed, together or separately, on the various occasions a person’s birth, baptism, circumcision, initial menstruation, death or for the celebration of tribal activities like hunting, fishing and harvesting.

 Spanish Colonial theatre- In the three centuries of

Spanish rule from 1565 to 1898, the Spanish colonizers, specifically the friars, showed a keen awareness of the power of the theater both as a tool for the Christianization of the natives and as a magnet to attract the latter to the Pueblo which constituted the foundation of Spanish empire in the archipelago

 The Spanish Colonial Tradition- The Spanish colonial

period lasted from 1965, when legaspi arrived in Cebu, to 1898 when Aguinaldo declared Philippine Independence in kawiti Cavite. During this 333- year reign, the Spanish government introduced into the islands the Catholic religion and the Spanish wayof life, which gradually merged with the indigenous culture to form tha “ Lowland Folk Culture” shared by the major ethnololinguistics groups, like Ibanag, Pangasinan, Ilongo and Cuyunan.

 The American Colonial and Contemporary Tradition-

Short as it was, the American Colonial regime from 1901 to 1946 had a profound effect on the 20th century Philippine Theater,first in formand latter in philosophy. This influence is seen in the Philippine bodabil, the western plyas presented in English or in Filipino and the original modern plays written by contemporary play wrights.  Sources and Influence

Forms and types

 Children’s theater- may refer to plays with children as

actors; or plays performed by adults for children  Dramatic Monologue- a kind of modern play which features one actor speaking and acting out his of her innermost thoughts and emotions as the main character of the play.  Dula- Tula- literally “play- poem,” refers to a minimalist form of theater developed in the early 1970s by UP Repertory.

 Huling Hapunan- actual supper held to

commemorate Christ’s last supper.  Flores- refer to the whole flower festival celebrated in the month of May in honor of the Virgin Mary.  Hudas- refers to the ritual burning of effigy of Judas held on Black Saturday.

 Hudas- refers to the ritual burning of effigy

of Judas held on Black Saturday.  Komedya- - is a play which dramatizes actual events, the lives about Christians and Moorish Royalty.  Musical Theater- - refer to plays which music is an integral part.

 Paghuhugas ng Paa- dramatizes the episode in New

Testament where Christ after the Last Supper, washes the feet of His 12 Apostles.  Pangangaluluwa- refer to the custom that is performed late in the night of All Saint’s Day where male and female carolers go from house to house impersonating ghosts.  Panunuluyan- - dramatizes the search for an inn by Mary and Joseph on Christmas eve in Bethlehem.

 Salubong- dramatizes the meeting of the

grieving Mary and Christ.  Sinakulo- dramatizes the history of Salvation.  Political Theater- to change or improve existing systems of Government

ASPECTS OF PRODUCTION

 Set- refer to the scenery and properties of the physical

context created for a theater performance includes the setting.  Directing- refers to the over-all supervision and coordination of the elements of theatrical production, including acting and the design of sets, props, costumes, lights and sounds.  Script- or play script is the text of the play.

 Training- is done in workshops, seminars, training

programs, and academic programs.  Lighting- in theater involves the use of lights and other related equipment for the purpose of illuminating the stage, creating atmosphere and mood, and highlighting character and action.  Acting- is the art of representing a character.  Music- in theater includes background music.

 Costume- for the theater refers to the distinctive

clothes used by an actor in order to authenticate a role in a performance  Awards/ Grants- Awards refer to the forms of recognition to the achievements in theater. Grants refer to venues or funds given to theater artists to support or finance all kinds of theatrical work.  Criticism- is the written valuation of the texts and of the theater performances by informed and schooled critics.

MAJOR WORKS

 Abadeja, Ang Ating Sinderela- Puppet play in Filipino

derives its story from a leyte folktale. Abadeja is an orphan whose father, Abac married the wicked Concha who has two daughters, Conchinita and Conchiching.  Alang Dios- Essentially a love story, this pampango sarswela tells of Enrique, a poor painter, who has just been released from prison for the alleged theft of a diamond crucifix belonging to his sweetheart maria luz.

 Bombita This play in Filipino is about the irony of

military discipline and obedience to a corrupt and unthinking leadership  Cuadros Filipinos This play has two scenes. The first scene is set in the market and the second scene takes place in a theater with a komedya in full swing.  Anak ng Dagat, Silay ng Liwanag- This play in tagalong is rare because it is a sarswela in verse.

 Dalagang bukid was the most popular tagalong

sarswela of the period, having been performed about a thousand times in manila and in the provinces before WWII. It also became the first full-length Filipino film when made into a silent movie by luis nepomuceno in 1919.  Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas- most significant contribution in the Philippine Drama

 New Yorker in Tondo- First performed by FEU in

Manila with Baby de Guzman and was staged many times b the Barangay Theater Guild.  Sa Pula, Sa Puti- (for the Red Rooster, For the White Rooster). Play in one act. SWcript by Francisco, first stage on September 10, 1939.

ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS

 The Manila Grand Opera House  Martinez, Leo  Medina, Pen

 Requiestas, Rene  Salonga, Lea

THANK YOU  REPORTERS MERCADO, GRACE ANTONIO, ABEGAIL G. MAMAUAG, GISELLE B. VILLAMOR, ALEXIS BONET