JanFebMar08 UPdate

In celebration of the UP Centennial, the Office of the Chancellor, through the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) presented Komedya Fiesta 2008: First National Festival from February 1 to 29, 2008 at the University Amphitheater.

The festival was a brain-child of National Artist for Literature and CAL Dean Virgilio S. Almario, who believed the komedya is a significant part of Philippine theater history that needs to be revived, appreciated and preserved.

"Reyna" Emerlinda R. Roman and
"Duke" Virgilio S. Almario at the
opening day parade

The komedya is still performed today in several regions in the country. It is also referred to as moro-moro by the Tagalogs and Ilokanos, linambay by the Cebuanos, morosmoros by the Ilonggos and palo-palo by the Ivatans. It is one of the fully developed traditional theater genres which dominated Philippine theater for 300 years.

Finding enthusiastic and supportive partners in UPD Chancellor Sergio S. Cao, the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA) Acting Director Rubén D.F. Defeo and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), CAL successfully mounted a month-long festival that included komedya performances, conferences, workshops, an exhibition and a colloquium that provided scholars, cultural researchers, artists and production teams a venue to discuss issues regarding this centuries old theater tradition.

Sen. Edgardo S. Angara accepts the
symbolical crown, cape and sword during
his conferment as festival hermano mayor

The Komedya Fiesta 2008 opened on February 1 with a parade along the Academic Oval participated in by representatives of the various komedya groups, marching bands and other parade characters like higantes, stilt walkers, clowns and jugglers. University officials, in their royal crowns, joined the interactive parade that aimed to educate the general public about the komedya and provide a glimpse into the performances through the scene reenactments along the parade route.

The rise of the magnificent singkaban arches along the University Avenue signaled the start of the komedya festival. One of the attractions of the festival, the singkaban—intricate bamboo arches—was designed and executed by Francisco Eligio, an 84-year old traditional artist from Hagonoy, Bulacan.

The centerpiece of the month-long fiesta was the series of Komedya performances held during the five Fridays of February, staged by five regional performing groups representing Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the National Capital Region thus making it a truly national festival.

The Komedya ng San Dionisio from Parañaque opened the Komedya Fiesta with “Principe Rodante,” a play that reworked the religious conflict theme of past komedyas to the ecumenical spirit of the time.

On February 8, the all-male cast of Komedya ng San Miguel from Iligan City, Lanao del Norte enacted “Kinabuhi ni Senyor San Miguel,” a comedia de santo about the life of Iligan City’s patron saint. First performed in 1935, the komedya is not only a simple stage play but also a practice considered sacred by its cast. It is also worth noting that there is no complete script in existence and that the role is handed down from generation to generation, with current cast members related to the original performers. Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz graced the performance of the Komedya ng San Miguel.

The singkaban arches at the University Avenue welcoming guests to the first national
Komedya Festival. the arches were created by Francisco Eligio of Hagonoy, Bulacan

The Hiraya Theater Company of Antique, meanwhile, presented “Kasanag Batok sa Sugal” on February 25. Clearly seen in the performance was the concept of actors using all sides of the platform and not hiding backstage which copies the traditional komedya, where actors mingle with the audience and their families. Written in the 1960s, the komedya is a clever piece that educates on the ills of gambling while lauding the rural electrification program. The participation of the Hiraya Theater Company was made possible through the support of UP alumna and provincial governor Salvacion Z. Perez.

Inclement weather moved the performance of the Komedya ng Don Galo indoors on February 22. Performing to a capacity crowd at the UP Theater, the interpretation of “Prinsipe Rodante” by elementary students from Parañaque was well received by the audience.

The palaro sa Perya featuring traditional Philipine games such as
palo sebo(inset)

Recognizing the full support extended by Sen. Edgardo J. Angara as hermano mayor of the Komedya Festival 2008, a simple program of conferment was held before the performance of Comedia de Baler on February 29. Highlighting the event was a symbolic walk of the bearers of the komedya tradition hand in hand with Sen. Angara. The walk for the future was participated in by Hermie Hernandez, acclaimed Father of Komedya in Parañaque, Betty Conde, the oldest komedyante and Rhegille Gabriel Rodriguez, the youngest komedyante, together with Cao, Almario, Defeo and other university officials.

The Comedia de Baler performed “Sakim na Pagmamahal, ” which tells of the conflict between the Muslim and Christian cultures, and how they united to give way to the love relationship of their children. The komedya troupe of Baler is distinctive because the actors use real weapons during their performance, with three actors suffering minor injuries during the UP staging. Aside from Sen. Angara, the participation of Comedia de Baler was made possible through the support of Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara Castillo, who also graced the night’s festivities. As a fitting finale to the month-long celebration, a 21-minute grand fireworks display capped the evening.

Since komedyas are usually performed during town fiestas, the Special Events highlighted the importance of community participation. It featured activities like Paseo ng Banda, Serenata ng Banda, Pista ng Bayan, a workshop- demonstration and palaro featuring traditional Filipino games such as palo sebo, ihipan ng harina and agawan ng buko, among others. Palabas sa Kubol was also a well-attended activity of the festival where audience of all ages enjoyed the lively storytelling sessions with the Alitaptap storytellers, and the artistic puppet presentations of Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas with no less than UP professor Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio serving as narrator.

The Komedya Festival undoubtedly achieved a great deal in terms of creating awareness and appreciation among students and the community of this theatrical tradition. It has strengthened the network among komedya troupes throughout the country and inspired them to realize that there are also groups around the Philippines who share the same passion for their art.

KomedyA sa kampus