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
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,
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.
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.
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.
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
The Manila Grand Opera House
Martinez, Leo
Medina, Pen
Requiestas, Rene
THANK YOU
REPORTERS MERCADO, GRACE ANTONIO, ABEGAIL G. MAMAUAG, GISELLE B. VILLAMOR, ALEXIS BONET
