The Supremo on the march By Walter Ang, Contributor Philippine Daily Inquirer 7:00 am | Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 Andres Bonifacio is popularly called “The Father of the Philippine Revolution.” He was a founding member and, later, Supremo (“supreme leader”) of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Respected Society of the Country’s Children), a secret revolutionary society that fought for independence from Spanish colonial rule. His colorful life has inspired several works in the performing arts—fitting, in a way, because Bonifacio was a part-time actor who performed in moro-moro productions. He joined Samahang Dramatista ng Tundo and founded El Teatro Porvenir or Teatro Circo de Porvenir (depending on different sources). To commemorate Bonifacio’s birth sesquicentennial (Nov. 30), several theater groups are staging productions about him. Three will be staged in November this year and one in 2014. Gantimpala Theater Film and television director Joel Lamangan co-directs Gantimpala Theater’s musical version of Bonifacio Ilagan’s 1978 Cultural Center of the Philippines Playwriting Contest-winning (first place) “Katipunan: Mga Anak ng Bayan.” “We want to make it relevant [for current audiences] in terms of music and movement. This is all sung through and fast. We’ll also show the role of women in the struggle, the internal conflicts that weakened the Katipunan,” says Lamangan. The production has music by RJ Jimenez and lyrics by Ilagan and Jeffrey Camañag. It stars Sandino Martin as Bonifacio, with Anna Fegi and Rita de Guzman alternating as Bonifacio’s wife Gregoria “Oryang” de Jesus. Lamangan is Gantimpala’s new artistic director (following the death of founding artistic director Tony Espejo). Lamangan was in the cast of “Katipunan,” Gantimpala’s inaugural production in 1978. Jun Pablo co-directs. Costume design by Pablo, set design by Sonny Aniceto and lighting design by Ninya Bedruz. “Katipunan: Mga Anak ng Bayan” runs in Manila on Nov. 20 to 22 at Armed Forces of the Philippines Theater, Quezon City; Nov. 29 at Bonifacio High Street Open Field, Makati City; and Nov. 30 at Taguig University. It tours Cavite City on Dec. 7 at Montano Hall. Contact 9985622/8720261 for Manila shows and 09162759938 for Cavite shows. Read more: lifestyle.inquirer.net/134361/the-supremo-on-the-march#ixzz2jWKyk8gq Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 04:09:43 +0000
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