How can we preserve the komedya and other traditional theater forms in the country?

The Komedya Fiesta 2008 aims to create awareness whilst promoting understanding of and appreciation for the komedya through a month long event of performances, conferences, workshops, exhibits and colloquia.

The Fiesta is a seven day event scheduled every Friday of February 2008 at the Amphitheatre of UP Diliman. It was organized in celebration of the UP Centennial by the University of the Philippines Office of the Chancellor through the UP Centennial by the University of the Philippines Office of the Chancellor through the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and in cooperation with the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA). At the forefront is National Artist for Literature and CAL dean Virgilio Almario who wishes to create a national theatrical form with the komedya and the zarzuela.

The komedya is a theater dramatization of the conflicts between Christian and Muslim heroes usually ending with the victory of the Christian and conversion of Muslims to Christianity. This theater form originated from Spain and Mexico during the 16th to 18th centuries. It was able to reach Philippine shores through eventual colonization and Hispanic Christianization by the Spaniards. It is dramatized in colorful romantic and stylized acting, with the performers dressed in exotic costumes. It is usually presented during community festivals with the support and patronage of the community. Provinces where it was usually performed were Ilocos, Pampanga, Tagalog Region and Bicol Region.

The opening ceremonies or “Tahak” on February 1 officially launched the month long celebration with a colorful parade of representatives from various komedya groups around the UP academic oval, ending at the Amphitheater. Marching bands, higantes, jugglers and stilt walkers accompanied the parade together with an ensemble of brass and drum and lyre performed by children. “The parade was really festive and colorful,” said Natalia Moran, a fourth year student from UP Diliman College of Home Economics. “Everything in the parade made me feel like I was really in a komedya, including the costumes which depicted royalty during the early times,” she added.

All the performing troops were presented to the public during the opening ceremony. Numerous groups were a part of the parade, from school organizations and major stakeholders to the most notable UP officials. The opening rites primarily sought to educate people about the komedya by fostering interactivity through an array of reenactments demonstrating excerpts of colorful scenes and rituals from the theatrical tradition itself. These scenes were staged accordingly at every station located around the campus. UP President Emerlinda Roman gave her speech at the station in front of Palma Hall building while extraordinary fight scenes were staged in front of Melchor Hall. Fireworks display highlighted the opening ceremonies.

Six komedya groups from various parts of the country will be holding performances regularly every Friday for the whole month of February 2008. These are the Komedya ng San Dionisio of Parañaque City, Komedya ng San Miguel of Iligan City, Hiraya Theater Company of San Jose in Antique, Komedya ng Don Galo of Parañaque, Dulaang UP and Comedia de Baler of Baler in Aurora. The groups are to perform on February 1, 8, 15, 22, 28 and 29 respectively.

The Komedya ng San Dionisio of Parañaque City who initiated the performances on Feb. 1 at the University Amphitheatre was organized in 1962 in an attempt to produce the komedya Prinsipe Rodante. It is composed of civic leaders and some komedya enthusiasts. In the Fiesta opening ceremony, the old conflict between Christianity and Islam was presented by the group in a vibrant stage whilst the sound effects further demonstrated the classical atmosphere of the traditional genre. The lighting system was also commendable according to Karen Mejorada, a fourth year Philippine Studies student. “The lighting did not only contribute to the mood the komedya was trying to establish, it has also created a feeling of anticipation because the lighting changes together with the scenes being acted out on stage.” The group, however, now only occasionally performs komedyas.

Albeit the komedya is still performed today, it has a limited exposure. There have been early studies on the theatrical form but unfortunately, no event has yet been organized to promote understanding and encourage further studies on the genre on a national level. The Komedya Fiesta 2008 aims to advance study and research on the komedya as well as the other traditional theater forms which emerged in the rich history of the country. While komedya performances will be the principal event, the Komedya Fiesta 2008 will also feature conferences, workshops, exhibits and colloquia to provide a ground for scholars, artists, cultural researchers in the academe as well as production teams where they could discuss issues concerning the century old theatrical tradition.

For inquiries, email komedyafiesta2008@yahoo.com or call telefax: (+632) 928 7508. Back to articles section

Source:
Tiongson, Nicanor G.
1982 Kasaysayan ng Komedya sa Pilipinos 1766-1982 History of the Komedya in the Philippines 1766-1982.
Manila: De La Salle University. 269p. In Tagalog; with Komedya text.