A new play mines
the works of three National Artists as it examines Filipino identity through
the years.
This July 5 to 7,
the Cultural Center of the Philippines presents the second edition of the
Out-Of-The-Box Series, kicking off with Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon?,
a full-length play written by Jose Victor Torres and directed by CCP Artistic
Director Dennis N. Marasigan. Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company will bring to
life the different characters.
For the opening
salvo of the series, Torres interweaves the works of National Artists Alejandro
Roces, F. Sionil Jose, and Eddie Romero, who all celebrate their birth
centenaries this year. He drew elements from Roces’ We Filipinos Are Mild
Drinkers, a story focusing on Filipino drinking habits, and Jose’s Po-on, part
of the Rosales Saga novels depicting a tenant family's flight from Spanish
oppression in Ilocos to Pangasinan, and Romero's Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo
Ngayon.
Referencing these
works while reshaping them, the playwright has crafted an out-of-the-box
production that re-imagines the journey of Kulas, the central character in
Romero's 1976 film, against the backdrop of overlapping Spanish and American
occupations and the Hukbalahap movement.
Searching For Identity
At first glance,
these three works tell different stories, written in distinct styles. On closer
examination, they share a timeline and central theme, exploring and questioning
the Filipino identity.
“What defines a
Filipino? If we are saying we are all Filipinos, why are we fighting each other
in the name of the Philippines?” said Marasigan.
For Torres, the
play examines identity from various angles. “Through this production, we bring
the concept of identity beyond the usual context – accepting our identity as Filipinos
in different scenarios. When discussing heroism, we often focus on the
Katipunan and the Philippine Revolution. But what about the American war, the
Hukbalahap movement? No matter how we condemn them as communists, they are
still Filipino,” said Torres.
Rather than using
prominent figures like Bonifacio, Mabini, Rizal to discuss the Katipunan and
the revolution, the play employs relatable characters drawn from the works of
Jose, Roces, and Romero to paint a holistic picture and examine historical accounts.
Staging Unconventional Works
Through its
unconventional programming, the CCP Out-Of-The-Box Series for 2024 aims
to shine a light on National Artists and reintroduce their works to new
generations of audiences.
Marasigan hopes the
play will ignite curiosity and spark a genuine interest in the works of
Philippine National Artists.
“We often hear the
names of National Artists mentioned at events, yet many are unfamiliar with
their works, their contributions, and why they received the highest honors
given to Filipino artists. As the CCP Cine Icons screens cinematic masterpieces
by our National Artists, the OOTB Series aims to highlight other National
Artists and their works,” Marasigan emphasized.
Catch the CCP Out-of-the-Box
Series: Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? on July 5 at 7pm, July 6 and July 7
at 3pm, at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater), located at
the CCP Complex along Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Tickets are priced at ₱1500.
For the latest
updates on the CCP Out-of-the-Box Series and CCP shows, follow the official CCP
social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Post a Comment