"WALANG SUGAT" (Not Wounded)

Am in Malolos, Bulacan now for the "Unang Gapas" 1st Luzon Arts & Culture Forum from Sept. 23-25. Last night, the delegates were treated to a performance at the Gat Blas F. Ople Hall of Severino Reyes'"Walang Sugat", a production of the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. This zarzuela was premiered in 1902, and was the vehicle for the song "Bayan Ko", revived in the early 80's by Freddie Aguilar that became the revolutionary song of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Barasoain Kalinangan is a recipient of the Gawad CCP para sa Sining. It utilizes traditional art forms such as the awit, sayaw, balagtasan, moro-moro, senakulo, kundiman and sarswelang Tagalog with ingenious contemporary innovations. It has continuously developed and promoted the richness of Bulacan history and culture through original productions that pay tribute to Bulacan heroes and artists. The group has been chosen by the provincial government of Bulacan as its key partner in its cultural program. "Walang Sugat", directed by Armand Sta. Ana, is the first non-original production of this theater group, part of Sarsuwela Festival 2009 held at the U.P. Theater.

It was written by the well-known Father of the Sarsuwela, as his statement against imperialism. The musical play depicted the cruelty of the Spanish friars and the experience of Filipinos in their hands. The story revolves around the hero Tenyong and how he outwits people trying to separate him from Julia, his love interest. The many twists and turns of this sarsuwela has made it very popular among theater audiences. "Walang Sugat" has also been twice produced on film.

"Malolos", "Bulacan" "Flores". Serendipity. Don't look now, somethin's comin'up.