4th National Theater Festival Opening

Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. performing Kakarong

A slight drizzle threatened to put a damper on the opening of the 4th National Theater Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. But the participating theater companies from Metro Manila and from all over the country didn’t pay attention to the looming weather as they gathered at the CCP Main Ramp for the opening ceremony. The CCP façade, newly adorned by Christmas lanterns from San Fernando, Pampanga welcomed various theater companies participating in the festival namely  Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. from the province of Bulacan, Bohol Antequera and Maribojoc Cultural Collectives in cooperation with Teatro Bol-Anon from the province of Bohol, cultural activist Carlos Celdran, Dulaang UP of the University of the Philippines, Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Integrated Performing Arts Guild of Mindanano State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Mindanao State University KabpapagariyaEnsemble from General Santos City, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Sipat Lawin Ensemble, Tanghalang Ateneo of Ateneo de Manila University, Tanghalang Pilipino, The Xavier Stage of Cagayan de Oro and Trumpets Inc.There will also be special performances by Kanlaon Theater Guild of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, SPIT (Silly People's Improv Theater) and ventriloquists Ony Carcamo and Wanlu.

Sipat Lawin Ensemble

Hosted by Regina de Vera and Glen Sevilla Mas, the ceremony also featured excerpts from the various productions like the Introduction to Battalia Program by a Japanese Character by the Sipat Lawin Ensemble, Kakarong by the Barasoain Kalinlangan Foundation, Inc., Duha Ka Almimpo sa Habagat… Bohol 1700 (Two Eyes of the Monsoon Storm) by the Bohol Cultural Collectives and Uhawig by the Integrated Performing Arts Guild. The song number Buksan ang Tanghalan by Cris Villonco signaled the start of the festival as the participants and guests were ushered inside the CCP down towards the Little Theater Lobby.

Silly People's Improv Theater (SPIT)

Stageshow at the National Theater Festival

Shamaine Buencamino and Nonie Buencamino

At the Little Theater Lobby, food and refreshments were served for all the participants/delegates and guests to enjoy. Right after that was a performance of Stageshow, one of Tanghalang Pilipino’s two entries for the 4^th National Theater Festival. I consider myself really fortunate for this happened to be my third time to see this show. I watched the show for the first time during its Gala Night. And I watched it again during its Closing Night. For this performance, real life couple Shamaine and Nonie Buencamino played Ester and Tirso respectively while Mae Paner portrayed Magdea.

Angelina Kanapi

About two weeks have already passed since the Closing Night so my memory of Stageshow was not as sharp and vivid. But the memories came flooding back once the show got started and it was so nice to relive those moments once again. Since I knew how the story would go, I grabbed the opportunity to take note of the audience a lot more and observed how they would respond. This particular evening was magical with a very receptive audience laughing at the expected moments and surprising me also by laughing at certain parts when I didn’t expect it. The full house was brimming with positive energy throughout the show. I did notice a major change during this performance as the scene involving Ester’s children and their respective spouses was significantly trimmed. I didn’t get the chance to ask director Chris Millado the reason for this revision but I do admit that the song number that accompanied this scene was among the weakest in the whole show.

Mae Paner

Looking back, I find it remarkable how the actors brought to life this play written by the late Mario O’Hara. On paper, a lot of the jokes didn’t seem to be funny at all. But somehow, they worked on stage especially with the case of Lou Veloso’s multiple cameo roles. And in my three times watching the show, my favorite part has got to be Rayna Reyes’ Senakulo scene. In that scene featuring a very serious monologue, a change of inflection in just one word breaking the tension, noticeable for those with keen ears, made that deadpan scene very funny in the most subtle manner. And I’m pleased that I heard scattered chuckles among the audience when she did that scene.

Stageshow is just one of the many productions offered at the 4^th National Theater Festival. There are still more and I do hope that I will be able to catch as many shows as possible. The Phantom has departed the building, it's time for Filipino theater companies and productions to take over the local theater scene!