Module 4: Coming to Terms with The Stage: Rites, Rituals, Rhetoric of "Racial" Remembrance

Modular IV Summary & Reaction
IP 362-Philippine Drama: History, Art, & Culture
Rachelle M. Aurellano & James Funtanilla

In this module, we finally come to terms with the stage as it introduces a full-length play that retells the story of Gabriela Silang, an Ilokano who continued her husband's work and led a revolt during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The opening scene takes place in Tingian country, near the terraced mountains of Abra in the Ilocos Region. It opens with a strange incantation of fourteen pagan females, led by Taddek, a Tingian female chief, performing a strange rite before the blood-red tree in blossom. This chant, in Ilokano, is called the kaniaw. As Taddek chants these lines, "Patay, biag; patay, biag, minalem, bigat, agkarkararag; Patay, biag; patay, biag, rabiit, aldaw, agsilnag," the other women repeat after her, like a chorus. In this act, we also meet Gabriela, who searches for her mother and finds that Taddek, is her actual birth mother. Then we learn Gabriela's story about her childhood after being taken away from her mother and being raised by Friar Tomas Millan, her adopted father. She learns the truth about why Taddek was gone all those years. We also are introduced to Gabriela's love, Diego Silang. This scene ends as Gabriela and Diego become one. In short, the story continues as the revolution begins. It builds up to a lot of interesting dialogue and eventually leads to the assassination of Gabriela's husband, Diego Silang. After his death, Gabriela carries on the crusade for freedom. But like every good story, it ends with her death.

Rachelle's Reaction: I really enjoyed this module, because here's a play based on a true story of two Ilokano heroes, Diego & Gabriela Silang who led a revolt against the Spaniards. In all my years growing up in a traditional Filipino home, not once, did I ever hear of these names. I've heard of Rizal, but never did I hear about Diego & Gabriel Silang or even the epic story of Biag ni Lam-ang. I think that it's very important that as a young Filipino-American, you learn about these stories. By taking these Ilokano language and literature courses, I've been exposed to many stories that are very influential in the history of the Philippines, more so the history of the Ilokanos. The more I read about these stories, the more I'm able to grasp this sense of who I am, as I come to terms with my Ilokano heritage. But in looking at this module in terms of Philippine Drama, we are finally exposed to a dramatic piece. The earlier modules talked about Philippine theater, the definition, history, and traditions. But now, this particular module introduces an actual play, a performance of rites, rituals, and 'racial' remembrance. The story of Gabriela Silang is an actual historical event during the Spanish colonization and with the different forms and conventions in the context of this dramatic play, it reflects the history of the Philippines.

James' Reaction: I thought it was different and an interesting type of hero story because Gabriela was a woman who was seen as the savior/hero of the people. The fact this story occurred during Spanish colonial rule, and that the main character was a woman made it different compared to other stories of revolution of that time. It goes to show how far woman have gone through in society.