Cultural Festival in Marinduque

“Walang Sugat”, the well-loved sarswela masterpiece by Filipino librettist Severino Reyes was presented in Marinduque on February 18 & 19, 2010, only the second time it was seen on the island after more than a century. This zarzuela was first presented here in 1902 on the occasion of the Boac town fiesta with no less than then fiscal of Tayabas - and future Philipine president - Manuel L. Quezon as guest of honor.

That original production was mounted by Gran Compania de Zarzuela Tagala of Manila and was brought to Marinduque in that same year it was premiered to the world.

The 2010 production was staged by Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. (BKFI), recipient of CCP’s Gawad para sa Sining as best theater group in the Philippines.

The project highlighted the 90th Anniversary of “Araw ng Marinduque” and Philippine International Arts Festival 2010 celebration on this island, spearheaded by the provincial government of Marinduque in cooperation with National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA), CCP, BKFI and the island-province’s six municipalities.


The occasion also served as avenue to promote NCCA programs and partnership with LGUs in the MIMAROPA Region with the holding of “Gintong Binhi” the 1st Mimaropa Arts & Culture Forum.

At the Moriones Arena some municipal festivals developed by the six municipalities in recent years weres also showcased with Mogpog town coming in strong with "bulaklakan" moriones and its "Kangga Festival" dancers. (Above photo by Ian Rodas)

The Tuba Festival of the mountainous barangay Bagacay represented Buenavista.

During the last two years this troupe has also been invited by Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa to add color and sound when special guests are being welcomed to the exclusive resort.

"Walang Sugat" Overture

Opening scene from the sarswela that returned to Marinduque after more than a hundred years since the show was premiered in 1902. The Boac and Gasan audience that watched the show last Feb. 18 and 19 were all praises, with many able to see both shows in the two towns.

Requests have been conveyed by some municipal leaders to the office of the governor to undertake steps so that the musical play could also be brought to the other Marinduque towns.

The Philippine International Arts Festival 2010 formally ends on Feb. 26 with the holding of "Ani ng Dangal" awards at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang, with Gov. Carrion, Mayor Vicky Lao Lim and "Araw ng Marinduque" organizers invited as guests.

"WALANG SUGAT" (Not Wounded)

Severino Reyes' sarswela masterpiece goes on stage in Marinduque. Performed by Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc., awarded CCP Gawad para sa Sining as Best Theater Group in the country. Free Admission.

A component of the Philippine International Arts Festival 2010. Directed by Armand Sta. Ana. It stars Rey Clement Maaliao as TENYONG, Karren Uaje as JULIA, Ron Mariano as MIGUEL with Maria Ireen Crisostomo, Rowel Escalante, Crystal Mendonza, James Dimagiba, Joseph Rejoso, Melandro Pascual, Wilfredo Alberto, Christopher Adriano, Lemuel Galman, Egie Boy Galman, Ryan Managbanag, and 12 koro members.

In the production are Joseph Cristobal, Armando Sta. Ana, Estelita Dela Cruz, Consolacion Gamboa, Jose Ruel Paguiligan and Glen de Jesus. Lights and sound by the CCP Technical Crew.

The BKFI "Walang Sugat" production was originally mounted as part of “Sarsuwela Festival 2009” held at the U.P. Theater. It was the Father of Filipino Sarswela's statement against imperialism and oppression.

It depicts 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, made into a movie twice, has made it very popular among theater audiences.

This sarswela returns to Marinduque after 108 years, when "Gran Compania de Manila" the original production, presented it in Boac on Dec. 8, 1902 in celebration of the town fiesta with future president, Manuel L. Quezon as special guest.

"WALANG SUGAT" IN MARINDUQUE FEB. 18-19!

It’s the Father of Filipino Sarswela, Severino Reyes’ unforgettable masterpiece. First and last performed in Marinduque on December 8, 1902, on the occasion of the Boac Town Fiesta celebration, wtih the future president of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon, then Fiscal of Tayabas, as special guest. (The sarswela has since been made into a movie twice and presented live in big halls in the metro including the CCP and UP theaters).

That singular performance came only when peace reigned at last in Marinduque after continued armed conflict with the Spanish casadores and, and after the infamous Philippine-American war episode in the island that Phil. Commissioner William H. Taft, (also future U.S. president), described as one where severe treatment of inhabitants occured and one that “would not look well if a complete history of it were written out”.

The “Walang Sugat” libretto was first published in 1898, instantly gaining fame when the sarswela company, “Gran Compania de Manila” mounted it amid controversy. It was the same group that performed in Boac before a capacity crowd.

The play documents the untold suffering of Filipinos against an oppressive and unjust regime of Spanish elite, underlying the abuses committed by the friars. Change came not without extreme sacrifices; glimmers of hope came only after the people rose up in arms.

108 years later today, the same patriotic material is being brought to the shores of Marinduque at a time when a similar opportunity for political change is unfolding. The same question’s being asked: will we rise to the occasion and do our part to effect the change we’ve always wanted?

"Walang Sugat," revolves around the lives of young lovers Tenyong and Julia amid the cruelty of Spanish friars. Set in the final leg of the Philippine Revolution, Tenyong must leave behind his childhood sweetheart Julia to join the Katipunan. With no word from Tenyong, Julia is pressured by her mother to marry the wealthy Miguel, an episode interrupted by the return of a fatally wounded Tenyong, who conveys a dying wish.

This sarswela was the vehicle for the song “Bayan Ko”, made more popular during the 1986 People Power Revolution, the anniversary of which we mark on Monday, Feb. 22nd.

The Marinduque performances will be brought unto life by Gawad CCP Para sa Sining Awardee, Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 pm at the Boac Moriones Arena and on Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 pm at the Gasan Municipal Court.The Barasoain Kalinangan is known for utilizing traditional art forms in its works such as awit, sayaw, balagtasan, moro-moro, senakulo, kundiman and sarswelang Tagalog.

“Walang Sugat” stars Rey Clement Maaliao as Tenyong, Karren Uaje as Julia, Ron Mariano as Miguel with Maria Ireen Crisostomo, Rowel Escalante, Crystal Mendonza, James Dimagiba, Joseph Rejoso, Melandro Pascual, Wilfredo Alberto, Christopher Adriano, Lemuel Galman, Egie Boy Galman, Ryan Managbanag and a rousing 12-member koro.

Spearheaded by Gov. Jose Antonio Carrion, the "Walang Sugat" performance is the third annual Philippine International Arts Festival and "Araw ng Marinduque" project undertaken by the Provincial Government of Marinduque in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA).

90th ANNIVERSARY OF "ARAW NG MARINDUQUE" & PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2010

For 19 years now, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in cooperation with the Department of Education, Department of Tourism, cultural organizations and LGUs, has been organizing the National Arts Month (NAM), now referred to as the Philippine International Arts Festival (PIAF), every February with a series of festivities and activities mounted throughout the country. It celebrates Filipino artistry and promotes the arts and the artists.

PIAF brings together thousands of artists from all over the country to cultivate love for the arts and preserve culture in line with the UNESCO observance of the International Year of the Rapprochement of Cultures. It promises to be grand on visuals and enriching in the mind as well. As arts goes to key cities nationwide the festival aims to instill the richness of Philippine tradition to all Filipinos.

“Sarswela ‘WALANG SUGAT’ in Marinduque” performed by members of Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, Inc. is a component of PIAF. It is the third annual partnership program between the Provincial Government of Marinduque and NCCA, the first two being the “VIVA MARINDUQUE!” performance tour undertaken with Teatro Balangaw and other cultural groups in the six municipalities. The annual PIAF event coincides with the celebration of "ARAW NG MARINDUQUE". This culminates in a "Grand Parade and Marinduque Festival Showcase" on Feb. 19 from 8:00 am - 12:00 am.

The "GINTONG BINHI", the 1st MIMAROPA Arts and Culture Summit is also being held in Marinduque to strengthen the arts and culture network and activities in the MIMAROPA Region.

The Summit will be held on Feb. 18, at the Provincial Training Center in Tamayo, Sta. Cruz while 'WALANG SUGAT" goes on stage at Boac Moriones Arena on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 pm and at Gasan Municipal Court on Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 pm. Free Admission.

Spearheaded by Gov. JOSE ANTONIO N. CARRION, this project is sponsored by the Provincial Government of Marinduque in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture & the Arts (NCCA), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Barasoain Kalinangan Foudation, Department of Education, schools, colleges and LGUs.

"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.