TEATRO BALANGAW MARINDUQUE: Act One: 1992-1993

Prologue

In October 1992, TEATRO BALANGAW was founded by Eli Obligacion and a small group of colleagues from Boac, Marinduque who supported the idea that a community theater could be a good venue to promote interest in local culture, showcase the untapped talents of young people and present issues affecting the community. Two months later, its initial project was presented at the Boac Covered Court for the town fiesta celebration. The home of Obligacion in ‘Bahaghari’, Amoingon beach served as Balangaw’s permanent headquarters.

Act One: 1992-1993

OBLIGACION AS COMPANY DIRECTOR/PLAYWRIGHT;
MANDIA AND MONTENEGRO AS ARTISTIC DIRECTORS.

The first production was a ‘double presentation’ sponsored by Benjie Montenegro of Lupac who owned BM Talent Pool, a promotions company based in Manila. BM came in full force with his talents for “PISTAHAN NG SAYAW AT MUSIKA” a dance revue featuring jazz, modern dance, and cabaret with solo numbers performed by notable artists from Manila. Montenegro handled the over-all concept, design and direction of “Pistahan”.

Obligacion’s “MARA UNDUK” (A Dance-Drama), was presented as the ‘local’ project with 52 students of Marinduque National High School. Danilo Mandia of Boton was its director. Improvisational movements were utilized for the play that lasted for 1 ½ hours with non-stop ethnic music (from Muslim to Igorot) as background. Shouts of “hoy, tama na ‘yan!” from the audience, audible even on the video copy is probably its most realistic critique. The audience apparently had a hard time understanding what was going on onstage.

“Wagi! Wagi ako!”, were the words of Mandia of the play, “Nailabas! And I don’t care kung hindi nila maintindihan.”

(“It isn’t art, but I have their attention.” – The Chorus).

In April 1993, the Balangaw group made its debut in the Boac riverside area on a makeshift stage built for the purpose (authorities refused to allow the use of an existing concrete stage just meters away). “MORYONAN: ISANG BALIK TANAW” also written by Obligacion, and directed by Mandia, was an attempt to trace the evolution of the Moriones from pre-Hispanic rituals to contemporary times. The play was presented (after unsuccessful overtures from certain leaders and politically-inspired groups to prevent it from being shown, something that surprised the group). The play, to the group, was merely its contribution to revive an age-old tradition of staging a street-event at Lent’s culmination.

The play was preceded by a moryon mask-and-costume street-parade participated in by some 500 youth participants and old folks who later read excerpts from “Pabasa”. Prizes donated by Montenegro were given to winning costumes and groups. National papers and television took notice.

By July 1993 the group was ready with “LABANAN SA PAYE (A MUSICAL), written by Obligacion. The material was based on actual stories and events that revolved around the character of Teofilo Roque, the ‘Battle of Paye’ hero. Fifteen (15) songs were composed (both lyrics and music), by Obligacion in the kundiman, balitaw and contemporary style, with keyboard musical arrangements done by Dindo Asuncion. Performers were from the Marinduque National High School with guest artists from the Immaculate Conception College. The play was directed by Mandia and was performed at the Boac Covered Court.

It was to be a turning point. The cooperation of the Municipality of Boac was formally obtained but exclusive to use of the public venue, without funds solicited. A souvenir program with a message from the Mayor was readied by Obligacion with Montenegro agreeing to sponsor its publication. It was to highlight the municipality’s role in spearheading the Battle of Paye celebration consisting of various activities, the play being only one of them.

In an effort to avoid any further misunderstanding with the municipal authorities, a final draft of the program was readied. The play’s director, who was in Manila where the program was to see print, made last-minute alterations on the cover-page that immediately gave the impression Balangaw spearheaded the activities.

Worse, the Balangaw production page was likewise altered that billed himself, the director, as also the scriptwriter. As a result, the municipality did not distribute the hundreds of program copies arriving one day before the presentation. “Mali!”, was the only word they could come up with. Consequently, no one from the municipio came to watch the free show and with the exception of curious passers-by and a few supporters the actors performed in a practically empty hall.

It was the period for reflection and re-examination for the Marinduque-based members.