Module 3: Philippine Aesthetics and Theatrical Traditions: Roots and Practices

Modular III Summary & Reaction

IP 362--Philippine Drama: Art, History, Culture

Rachelle M. Aurellano

In this module, the reader is introduced deeper into the aesthetics and theatrical traditions of the Philippines, the different types of theater, and also the roots and practices that the Filipinos still continue, even today. Philippine theater is definitely part of Philippine history. It has been oppressed and repressed, and has risen and flourished. Even before the coming of the Spaniards, the Filipinos had their own forms of theater, known then as dramones, "lengthy Tagalog dramas." However, the Spaniards never recognized it at first, and when they did, they referred to it as "the literature of the Archipelago, almost all of it false, being child of the exoticism of fantasy." When the Americans came, they banned the drama because it was "seditious." Then during the Japanese Occupation, the manila Shimbunsha strictly censored scripts and performances for anything pro-American/anti-Japanese. Yet, in each of these eras, Philippine theater flourished.

Many of what is seen today has been a confluence of all past theater traditions. All of the theater forms of Philippine history are still accessible, but some forms have vanished. They are still communities who perform these rituals and ceremonies and indigenous dances are still performed in tribal communities. Times have always shaped Philippine theater, but forms come from tradition, local practice, and international influences but change in combination, emphasis and purpose. In Philippine theater, you find political theater, psychological realism, comedy, folklore, folk drama forms, musicals, social realism, provincial theater, as well as other literary forms. There are four experiences of Philippine history that incorporate theater experience local and borrowed, and stories intimate and communal, political and personal, folkloric and contemporary. These are An Balangaw, Silay City sarswelas, encantada, and the Philippine Ramayana.

In a nutshell, Philippine theater had major influences from the Spanish, American, and Japanese. Dramatic forms introduced or influenced by Spain continue to live in rural areas which include the komedya, playlets, sinakulo, sarswela, and drama. Some of these forms have been revitalized to make them more responsive to the conditions and needs of the nation. With the establishment of American colonial rule, bodabil was introduced and Western plays were done in the English language or in Filipino translation. And with the coming of the Japanese, a theater of puppets and shadows were introduced. Despite the long history of colonial rule in the Philippines, the influences of these colonial powers had a great impact in the development of Philippine theater.

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This module provided a lot of information about Philippine theater and its influences from colonial rule. I thought it was interesting how there were many influences from the Spanish and American yet at the same time, the Filipinos retained the aesthetics and traditions of their roots and practices before the coming of the colonizers. Although a lot of these theater forms have vanished, it's a relief to know that there are still communities that perpetuate rituals and ceremonies, and perform indiengous dances in tribal communites--theater forms that were untouched or not influenced by the colonizers. It's also interesting that everything from fiesta ceremonies to burial rituals is seen a form of theater. That was something I have learned in this module. I think what's important to take from this module is that Philippine theater, whether it was traditional or influenced, definitely played a big role in the vestiges of war because it was a way for the Philippine community to communicate and understand one another through political theater, comedy, musicals, etc. and also a way to stand out from everyone else because I think that Philippine theater is very unique in the sense that it retains its ritualistic and ceremonial forms of theater--something that is very traditional and sacred to the Filipinos. With that, this module opens the reader to Philippine aesthetics and theatrical traditions and if you're really interested in learning about Philipipne theater--see Dr. Agcaoili.