September 6, 2010

A modern folk tale

I am loving the theater group Entablado's musicals of seeming children's stories. Last year, it was Rene O. Villanueva's "Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit" (The First Pig in Heaven) with its environmental message; this year, it is Christine Bellen's "Si Pilandok at ang Bayan ng Bulawan" (Pilandok and the Country of Bulawan), a folkloric retelling of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. Bulawan is a country named after its sun whose population is divided into two factions that can't get along with each other. The corrupt leader and his evil henchmen steal the Bulawan so they can start selling its light and heat to the people and make lots of money.

the corrupt Datu Usman in the play 'Si Pilandok at ang Bayan ng Bulawan'


Pilandok is the resident trickster with a good heart who decides to steal it back. He asks help from the nation's five gods (Faith, Strength, Wealth, Beauty and Wisdom) but their very natures work against them in their rescue efforts. So Pilandok tries it on his own but he is caught, and it is only when the two factions decide to work together—with their gods—that they manage to rescue both Pilandok and the Bulawan.

the five gods in the play 'Si Pilandok at ang Bayan ng Bulawan'


I'm sorry that I don't have a picture of Pilandok but his character was moving around so much I couldn't get a clear shot. We watched the play at the Rizal Mini Theater of the Ateneo de Manila University but it is also going to be shown at the Meralco Theater on September 11. More information about it on Oliver Oliveros' blog.

17 comments:

Joy said...

Very interesting! I miss going to the theatre in Manila.

Have a great Monday!

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Anonymous said...

Surely a great way to measure time and life. Please have a good start into the new week.

daily athens

Angela Robak said...

What fantastic and very clear shots. It's so hard to get a proper exposure with theater lighting but you've done a fabulous job. Thanks for sharing. As for the play, doesn't the plot sound a bit too familiar, sadly???

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Great shots, Hilda. I guess it doesn't where you are, problems are more easily solved when you work together.

BTW, TOM did fall in the water, along with his wallet and blackberry. One of them didn't survive.

George said...

These pictures are very good. I've never been able to get good photos in a theater. The play sounds as if it would be a wonderful experience, and the message needs to be heard.

Randy said...

Those are great photos! Looks like an interesting show.

Olivier said...

superbe photo de ce spectacle, j'aime beaucoup la deuxieme

Anonymous said...

Great picture!

I love theater also

escape said...

modern in many ways. tatoo type is one.

oliverpublicist said...

Thanks a lot!

Cezar and Léia said...

There is so rich cultural life there, it's wonderful.Your pictures are excellent!
Léia :)

Leif Hagen said...

Looks like some very interesting, entertaining theater!
Bravo!

Kaori said...

I love their animated expressions! :D

oliverpublicist said...

Dear Hilda. Hope you can join us on Sat. Please contact Mika Millar at (63)917.553.6261 and (632)892.5360. =)

VP said...

Very animated and colorful scenes, a pity for Pilandok...

Rob said...

Excellent photos from the play!

Francisca said...

One of things I love about Manila is its rich theater scene (I just missed Cats, though!). You got some great photos here, Hilda.