PEOPLE'S CULTURE AND THE ARTS



IBALONG, the “Bikol Folk Epic Fragment” by Dr. Merito B. Espinas, came alive in a musical that had its series of performances on August 21-22, 2013 in the City of Legazpi for the week-long Ibalong Festival. 

Ibalong is Tanghalang Pilipino's dance theater musical of the Bicol epic adaptation for the stage by playwright Rody Vera and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio. The musical Director is Carol Bello, choreography by Alden Lugnasin, and costume design by Leeroy New.

The play starts with Baltog (Nicolo Magno), of  Botavora in India, and of the brave clan of Lipod, who came to the rich land of Ibalong (the Bicol Peninsula) when many monsters were still roaming in its very dark forests.   Baltog and his men were the first to cultivate the land and planted it with "linza" (taro or gabi).  However, a monstrous boar called "Tandayag (Red Nuestro)", or "Opon" (wild boar) in the musical, destroyed the crops.  Baltog hunted Tandayag and although it was huge and had very long fangs, he was able to pin it down and break its jawbones.  Thus, Tandayag fell and died.



Baltog's Battle with Opon (Tandayag)

 

 

Battle with Monsters

The second hero who came to the land of Ibalong was Handyong (Myke Salomon). Together with his men, he had to fight thousands of battles and face many dangers to defeat the monsters (Aswang or vampires, Tambaloslos, Okot, etc). As warriors, they first fought the one-eyed, tree-necked monster in the land of Ponong. 

 

Other monsters that  Handyong and his men fought were the giant flying sharks called Tiburon which had hardy flesh and saw-like teeth that could crush rocks and the crocodiles which were as big as boats; they also tamed the wild carabaos and drove away the giant Sarimao which had very sharp fingernails.

 

For ten months, they fought without rest until all the monsters were killed. The rivers and swamps of Ibalong turned red with blood from all these killings.

Oryol's Father

The serpent Oryol was the hardest to kill.  Having a sweet voice, Oryol could change her appearance to deceive her enemies.  Handyong tried all ways to kill Oryol (Jenine Desiderio of Ms. Saigon fame) but the latter always managed to escape.



Oryol in the Dark Forests of Ibalong

Handyong followed the beautiful voice of Oryol and was almost enchanted by it in his pursuit. Days and nights passed until Oryol came to admire Handyong's bravery and gallantry. Then the serpent helped the hero to conquer monsters, thus restoring peace to the entire Ibalong.

  

Fight of Handyong and Oryol

The golden period of Ibalong under Handyong's leadership in the town he built in an area called  Ligmanan began.  Slaves and masters were treated equally under his laws, the people planted rice, the first boat to ride the waves of Ibalong seas was built, and the first loom for weaving abaca clothes was invented by Hablom. Dinanghom, an Agta, created the stove, earthen jars, and cooking pots.  Kimantong made the plow, harrow, and other farm implements.

 

 

It was also during Handyong's reign that Sural, who brilliantly thought of syllabary, started writings on a marble rock.

Suddenly, there came a big flood with terrifying earthquakes caused by Unos. The volcanoes of Hantik, Kulasi, and Isarog erupted. Rivers changed their direction and the waves of the sea rolled high. Destruction was everywhere. Soon, the earth parted, mountains sank, a lake (Lake Buhi) was formed, and many towns in Ibalong were ruined.

Then appeared the giant Rabot (Marco Viaña), half-man and half-beast with awesome and terrifying powers.  Everyone who looks at Rabot's eye turns into stone.

Battle with Sarimao and Other Monsters

 

Bantong (Nicolo Magno), the third hero and a good friend of Handyong was called to kill Rabot.  Bantong took with him one hundred warriors.  But he did not attack right away, and studied Rabot's ways.  As the giant loved to sleep during the day, it was easy for him to be killed while he was fast asleep.

So Ibalong was at peace again.

 

Gugurang

In the musical Handyong and Oryol became lovers and bore a son, Makusog (Cheeno Macaraig).   Oryol, out of her love for Handyong, has cut off her serpent's tail and assimilated the ways of humans.

Handyong, however, has become so proud to plunder on nature and challenged even the heavens.   Gugurang (May Bayot) was angry and to punish him, struck Makusog, Handyong's son, with a thunderbolt.

Death of Makusog

The death of his son left Handyong devastated and pleaded Gugurang to restore his son's life.   Gugurang relented but only in exchange for his life.

Thus, Handyong took his own life so his son may live.  The play ended with Mayon Volcano rising in the background and Daragang Magayon (beautiful maiden), who will be Makusog's sweetheart in another episode, is singing a love song.

Death of Handyong

The musical so well deserved the standing ovation it had at curtain call.  Truly "the best stageplay for 2013".

 

The City Government of Legazpi, sponsors and organizers also deserve deep appreciation for bringing the show to Legazpi at subsidized ticket costs of 100.00 Php to 300.00 Php, while they are at  800.00 Php at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The Young Daragang Magayon



Given the technical handicaps on acoustics and light effects posed by improvisations, the musical was a success, though some may have wished to watch it at the  Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines where the venue is designed as a theater.

 

Seldom do we have major shows and concerts here in the City and offered at an affordable price is rare. It was a double treat for Legazpenos - quality and affordable show for all.

Curtain Call



Art in its various disciplines or forms is meant to be the conversation of hearts and souls among mortals that its appreciation is not reserved for the rich and lettered.

 

People clearly appreciated the musical and followed the story, as the young swooned at the romantic interlude of Handyong and Oryol.  The audience clapped and was hushed at the right time.

Ballet, operas, and musicals are not exclusive to the upper societal stratum, with soap operas for the so-called "bakya crowd".

 

Art spares no one in eliciting delicate human emotions, irrespective of educational training or status.

Perhaps many are into telenovelas and stereotyped noontime television shows because they have no options for the finer things in life.  This opportunity for alternative and exposure to the arts is commendable of the Local Government Units and organizers.

The play has not only entertained but has informed Bicolanos of their rich cultural heritage as the epic recounts.  Many still have thought that Ibalong is a character rather than a place, but after the musical, they have sheepishly admitted their misconceptions.

There were off-tangent socio-cultural behaviors, however, that have been observed from the audience, from the funny to the irritating.

Writing about these observed eccentricities is not for the purpose of ridicule nor bias, but to focus on behavioral moulds of individuals as influenced perhaps by peers, family, or ethnic differences.

Class C to D audiences are not likely to come dressed up appropriately and any behavior out of the expected may be excused.   But on the contrary, it was those from the class A or B that displayed some digressions, like the family that all slumped on their seats and put up their feet on the rows in their front.  There was also this well-dressed guy who carried his chair over to the aisle to get a better view but lessened the enjoyment of others who have to crane their necks to see over him, and of course the institutional head who did not bother to change into a more suitable attire than a Boy Scout's uniform.

 

I still find it unacceptable for a lady to be wearing a Boy Scout's uniform.  Aren't ladies supposed to be Girl Scouts?  I am not sure if Josefa Llanes Escoda, the founder of the Philippine Girl Scouts, will not be turning in her grave.

So an "illiterate" public official that had become the butt of jokes was not kidding nor stupid when he allegedly said: "All Boy Scouts boys, form a line here.  All Boy Scouts girls, here."   Now I've seen a girl Boy Scout. 

It's far out of chauvinism to say that Boy Scouts or Cub Scouts are supposed to be a male activity or organization as there is the Girl Scout or Brownies for the girls.  

Ron Philippo, the Executive Director of the Indian Head Council, which includes eight counties in eastern Minnesota and four in western Wisconsin said that “the Boy Scouts of America for 12 years had successfully defended legal challenges over its policy of allowing only men as leaders but decided to drop the restrictions because the court challenges had become too costly” (AP, February 14, 1988).  

The “legal battles” validate that I am not alone holding on to the traditions of scouting, and it was only the litigation costs that made the oppositors to drop the issue.

A member of the Boy Scouts of America for fifteen years calls the acceptance of women in the BSA as “a misadventure”.

To those who subscribe to a contrary view, that ladies may be in Boy Scout uniform, may I please ask if it is equally acceptable for boys to also sport a Girl Scout uniform. If a man is named an honorary woman, I am sure it is not required of him to wear a woman's attire.

 

Just to be different, just to get attention but without the prudence of not appearing ridiculous.

Concerts are usually priced according to seating arrangement.  The musical though had only three categories, ringside, lower box, and upper box and the audience who purchased ringside tickets expected to be seated accordingly, only to find out that almost half of the middle rows were cordoned off for public officials and VIPs.  They should have informed the public in advance and these VIPs were made to pay up more.

 

As in major theaters, a bell is sounded to countdown the start of the performance and for the audience to be seated and be quiet.  But no. Some well-dressed guys were still standing up front as if waiting for a bus ride.

Many are yet to be oriented on etiquette and decorum, and I wish more worthwhile shows would be brought in to expose people to the art world, and be cultured as to social protocols.

 

Art and culture may be synonymous in historical perspectives, but culture may be differentiated in the arts.