'Sanggot' Breaks Barriers and Leaves National Artist 'Close to Tears'

When it was time for the Sama-samang Tinig ng mga Aktor na Gumaganap sa Entablado (STAGE) to perform "Sanggot na Bulawan" at the Ikatlong Tanghal last week, they knew they were up against something: they were playing for an audience with no comprehension of the Bikol language.

But minutes into their performance, the once raucous crowd fell silent as powerful images of mining in the island of Rapu-Rapu were flashed intermingled with the emotion-packed performances of the cast onstage. The audience was finally beginning to listen.

"Ang unang reaction ko mayabang talaga ang Tagalog. Kasi nung magsalita na ang Bikol sa Bikolano, ginagaya nila," said Palanca Awardee Prof. Ruel Molina-Aguila," Pero noong kumilos na, nag intensify na at gumamit na ng teatro, na break down yung language barrier."

Aquinas University's STAGE was one of some 21 performing groups that took part in the Ikatlong Tanghal national university theatre festival at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Calamba, Laguna from February 10 to 14, 2009. The event was participated by university-based theatre companies from around the country.

First performed in 2006, STAGE 's play, Sanggot na Bulawan, is a documentary of the mining industry in Rapu-Rapu, Albay. It traces the effects of mining along political, social, cultural and economic aspects. The research-to-production piece was written by playwright July Mendoza and was directed by Sarah Marie Aviado. It was produced by the Aquinas University Center for Culture and the Arts under its director, Prof. Jazmin B. Llana.

The compelling performance earned the nod of national artist for literature and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Bienvenido Lumbera, who openly admitted he was "close to tears" during the performance.

"Ang Aquinas group ay gumamit ng images…mga actual na paglalarawan sa mga nagaganap kaya't epektibo ang tunog ng boses, mga larawang inilalatag sa entablado at na touch ako sa pag gamit ng mga images at dahil doon ay muntik na akong maiyak. Maganda," he said.

Delegates from Baguio City commented later about the depth of the situation wherein the play was based.

"We also have mining in Benguet but we have not seen a mining problem presented as comprehensive as this," a delegate said,"Bibihira ang ganito kalalim na palabas."

Visiting theatre artists from Switzerland and Craotia who were present during the show also expressed their sentiments.

"They were amazed on how serious the problem and the vigilance and courage of the cast to mount a play with this issue," said playwright Mendoza, who was approached by the foreign artists after the show.

More than anything, the play once more proves that theatre is a universal language.

"That night also showed that language is not a barrier to communicate and we achieved it through the play Sanggot na Bulawan," Mendoza said. LMB

Posted on: 02.17.2009