IPAG PERFORMANCE. Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology’s (MSU-IIT) Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) performs their play on stage. Supplied photo.

By Angelo Lorenzo

Theater converges various performing arts. Gestures complement spoken lines written by the playwright to craft the story, while lights and music blare onstage to heighten tension and awe the audience. Even as the curtains descend before the applause of the crowd, the message lingers; and both the performer and spectator leave the halls with the newfound knowledge the theater has revealed.

But what is the theater trying to say?

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ National Committee on Dramatic Arts has sought the initiative to explore theater as an avenue to learn and to reflect much about the circumstance of each region. Just as art mirrors reality, so does the theater take inspiration from the perspectives stemming from personal truths. The playwright constructs the language and the director interprets it. The thespians enact the message and the production crew elaborates it with added dramatics and style.

In the recently-concluded "Tampok: Mindanao Theater Convergence," experts and creatives of the theater gathered within Capitol University from February 22 to 24, 2018, to discuss the significance of the performing arts within the scope of the regions. Spearheaded by the NCDA and organized by the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), with the support of the Capitol University administration, the convergence has also featured theatrical performances by various theater organizations in Mindanao. It also took place during the NCCA’s National Arts Month (NAM), celebrated every February, as declared by the Presidential Proclamation 683.

Tampok takes inspiration from NAM’s overall theme, “Ani ng Sining. Alab ng Sining.” As a celebration, NAM encourages the Philippines to yield the fruits of artistic efforts and ignite inspiration to artists and aspirants of the crafts. Tampok, on the other hand, is sorted by three aspects that detail the entire convergence: Kahusayan (Excellence), Karangalan (Honor), and Katapatan (Loyalty).

For theater, these values must constitute the foundation of performing arts relevant to the community.

“In conceiving the thrusts of Tampok, the idea of primarily featuring or directing the spotlight on distinct and notable theater pieces, practices, and personages in the regions came to mind,” stated NCDA head Dessa Quesada Palm in her message.

“We hope that the program can move us beyond fleeting encounters among kindred spirits and become a place for deepening understanding and strengthening in our creative communities,” she added.

FE REMOTIGUE. National Pharmaceutical Foundation Inc chief executive officer and Filipino artist Fe Remotigue leads one of the discussions during the Tampok: Mindanao Theater Convergence. Supplied photo.

Enriching cultures

Mindanao has been known as the "Land of Promise," inhabited by multicultural communities that can co-exist in the absence of societal, political, and religious warfare. The plays performed during the three-day program pursued this promise by incorporating the rich culture and history of the indigenous populace in their narratives.

Held within the theater of CU, the plays presented by Mindanao-based performing arts companies portrayed the myths and legends of prehistoric civilization that had transcended the test of time through storytelling passed on from one generation to the next.

The Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) of the Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) tackled the relationship between social and supernatural relationships in “Sita: The Ramayana Revisited” that featured themes and customs of Southern Philippines.

The Sining Kambayoka Ensemble of the MSU Marawi City depicted the adventure of a Meranaw folk hero in “Pilandok.” The production, equipped with songs and traditional dances, carried on a condensed narrative from “Mga Kuwentong Meranaw (The Meranaw Tales).”

At the same time, the Kaliwat Theatre Collective portrayed the possible unity of Mindanao’s diverse people as represented by the relationship and interaction shared among its characters: an indigenous person who works for a non-government organization, a Christian student who was born from two settlers who migrated from Cebu, and a female Meranaw enrolled in a university. Titled “MindaSilang,” the production spoke about the advocacy for peace in the regions.

However, contemporary issues also matter in the theater as Xavier University’s The Xavier Stage took on a unique route with two plays (“Dalawa” by Luna Sicat, and “Dalawang Gabi” by Maynard Manansala), depicting abuse and a forbidden love affair. The twin-bill production premiered in the same week and was held at the XU Little Theater.

(Related read: Pain strikes twice in ‘Dalawa sa Dalawang Gabi’ twin-bill production)

The Xavier Stage also played an important role during the convergence as they, along with the Department of Events and Management of the Xavier Ateneo Central Student Government, took part in organizing the activities.

“Tampok allocates inspiration and influence so young and seasoned Mindanao theater companies [can] share experiences and networks,” festival director Hobart Savior noted. He further emphasized that the same convergence may grant opportunities that are “open for participation to local, regional, national, and international festivals.”

“Our opportunity here is to profess our commitment to our work, our craft, and our passion for culture and the arts,” he added.

With the rising trend of performing arts in the regions based on the records of these theater companies thriving onstage, theater generates more relevance in the educational scene.

NESTOR HORFILLA. Cultural worker and artist Nestor Horfilla leads a discussion to the participants of this year’s Tampok: Mindanao Theater Convergence. Supplied photo.

Enlightening the minds

The convergence also featured discussions led by members of the academe, performing arts experts, and local-based artists notable for their significant contributions to Mindanaoan theater.

Discussions included the history of the theater scene in Mindanao, the theater’s influence on culture and traditions, and its relevance to the communities where it is mainly practiced for entertainment and for customary purposes.

Deepening NCDA’s thrusts for excellence, honor, and loyalty, the convergence also sought to encourage individuals who aspire for a career in theater to pursue the path in their communities so performing arts would flourish. One of the aims of the convergence is to establish this kind of endeavor in the many regions of the Philippines so their effects and legacy will ripple throughout the nation.

“This opportune moment is not only a celebration, but also an affirmation of our wealth and strength as a community of artists, teachers, and leaders who put more meanings and engagements to our lores,” Savior pointed out.

He added that, whether traditional or contemporary, the significance of these lores must never be trivialized, as they are worth sharing with the communities to foster and uphold artistic endeavors that may promote cultural awareness.

Just as theater combines many forms of performing arts, it also offers the opportunity for talented individuals to share their expertise and explore their creativity. As the English playwright William Shakespeare famously said, “All the world’s a stage,” convergence in theater encourages unity and the recently-concluded Tampok has showcased this value.∎

MSU SINING KAMBAYOKA ENSEMBLE. Mindanao State University’s (Marawi Main campus) Sining Kambayoka Ensemble gives life to the Meranaw Tales in their performance on stage.

Tampok 2018 Working Committee

Festival Director: Hobart Savior
Production Manager: John Roel Cabana
Finance Officer Emily Jan Delapina
Secretariat: Shenzen Golez and Marley John Lago
Stage Managers: Niño Louis Aranaido
                            Angelvee Millare
                            Camille Mae Suarez
                            Deanne Mary Fe Tiu
                            Kristine Grace Torres
Capitol University Representative: Mark Tan
Technical Staff: Oriel Ricky Gallardo
                          Maverick Ocampo
                          Rodel Jose Zurita (Capitol University)
Graphics and Layout Artist: Marlowe Chan

List of Partners

• National Commission for Culture and the Arts
• The PerfLab Inc
• University of St La Salle
• Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan
• Capitol University
• GuSi
• Nineveh Artspace

CLOSING PROGRAM. Participants and the crew behind the event pose for a photograph in the closing ceremony. Supplied photo.