LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

Music 10, Quarter 4, Week 1

20th and 21st Century Multimedia Forms

(Philippine Opera and Ballet)

Objectives
Objectives:

After going through this LAS, you are expected to:

1. describes how an idea or story in musical play is presented by watching a live
performance or video excerpt; and
2. explains how theatrical elements in a selected part of a musical play are
combined with music and media to achieve certain effects.

Lesson

Lesson 1.1 Philippine Opera

Opera is part of the Western classical music form and tradition. It started in Italy and
spread throughout the rest of Europe. The opera is an art and musical form in which singers
and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text (called libretto) and musical score
that elaborate theatrical setting. It incorporates many of the elements of spoken theater,
such as acting scenery, costumes, and sometimes dance. The performance is given in
opera house, cultural center, theatre, or auditorium. It is accompanied by an orchestra or
smaller ensemble, and the dialogue is entirely sung and not spoken.

Local Theaters and Early Philippine Operas

 The Teatro Zorrilla or Zorrilla Theatre – known as the Dulaang Zorilla sa Maynila was
a prominent theater in the Philippines.
 Principe Alfonso, Variedades, Quiapo, and Tondo Theaters – the choice venues for
Italian operas, such as Lucia di Lammermoor, La Boheme, La Traviata, and Aida.
 Manila Grand Opera and the Metropolitan Theater (Met) – later established

1
 Sandugong Panaginip – the first Filipino Opera by Pedro Paterno. First presented
Zorilla Theater on August 2, 1902. Translated by the Englishman M.W. Loving with
the title The Dreamed Alliance.
 Bonifacio Abdon – first Filipino conductor
 Dr. Ramon Javier as the first Filipino opera impresario who promoted local talents to
participate in foreign productions.
 Orchestra Molina – known for interpretation of operatic work and other classical
compositions.
 Lakangbini – Filipino opera by Patricio Mariano that staged at Metropolitan Theater
on December 19, 1933.
 Cultural Center of the Philippines(CCP) – established by First Lady Imelda
Romualdez-Marcos in 1969 as legitimate venue of opera to be staged.

Cultural Center of the Philippines

Original Philippine Operas

 La Loba Negra (The Black She-Wolf) – a three act Filipino opera. Acts I and II
are based on history. Acts II is based on a legend attributed to Fr. Jose Burgos, one
of the three martyred priests, Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora who were executed in
Bagumbayan (Luneta) in 1872. The music was composed by National Artist
Francisco Feliciano, with liberetto by soprano Fides Cuyugan Asensio. The premiere
was presented by Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the Asian
Institute for Liturgy and Music at the CCP Main Theater from August 16 to 25, 1982
with Lamberto Avellana as director.

2
  Noli Me Tangere, The Opera – the three-act opera composed by National Artist
Felipe Padilla de Leon, with Liberetto by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.
Premiered in 1957 at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Auditorium. The cast was
Juanita Javier Torres as Maria Clara, Don David as Ibarra, Fidescuyugan Asensio as
Sisa, Milo Cristobal as Padre Damaso, and Morli Daram as the director. Noli Me
Tangere (Touch Me Not) was said to have originated from the Latin version of the
words, originating from John 20:17. The novel was written to expose the ills of the
Spanish Catholic friars and the ruling government. The book was banned in the
Philippines by the Spanish authorities for its supposedly subversive elements. This
led to Rizal’s exile, imprisonment, and execution.

A scene from Noli Me Tangere, the opera

 El Filibusterismo, The Opera – the three act opera composed by National Artist
Felipe Padilla de Leon in 1970, with libretto in Filipino by Anthony Morli. The cast
included Fides Cuyugan Asensio as Paulita, Constancio Bernardo as Simoun, and
Irma Potenciano as Juli. Staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. El
Filibusterismo (The Filibuster) was a novel by Dr. Jose Rizal, a sequel to the earlier
Noli Me Tangere. It tells of the continuing struggle of the Filipino people to achieve
freedom and emancipation from colonial rule. Through the major characters involved,
it reflects the prevailing state of Philippine government and society that has become
corrupt and immoral. For which, a
revolution was being seen as the only
solution for change. It was also
perceived as a warning from Rizal, an
intellectual of the highest order.
Although he favored a peaceful way of
instituting reforms, the seemingly
hopeless situation to achieve this
method points closer and closer to
armed rebellion in order to gain
independence.
Lesson 1.2. Philippine Ballet

3
 Ballet dance used to interpret stories of all kinds. Allowing the characters to come
alive, not in spoken dialogue but in body movements or pantomime. The lack of spoken
words or sung lyrics is made up by the dancers’ creative steps, arm gestures, facial
expressions, and body movements, which add meaning to the story being revealed. The
performance is enhanced by colourful costumes, elaborate sets, stirring music, and
synchronized choreography.
Original Filipino ballets present folktales and local fables, such as the story of Lola
Basyang; as well as Ramayana the epic from India. The Western classical ballets, such as
Nutcracker Suite, Swan Lake, Giselle, and Sleeping Beauty.

Nutcracker Suite

Taltlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang

Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang is a ballet adaptation of Severino Reyes’ folktales

Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang. It was meant to instill and rekindle the interest of the Filipino
youth in the beauty, richness, and heritage of Philippine literature. The typical storytelling
scene shows the grandmother (Lola Basyang, the pen name of the author) on a rocking
chair with her grandchildren listening to her fascinating tales.

Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang featured the following stories:

4
1. Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya

This is a fantasy story set to neo-ethnic music in a contemporary style. It is about a hero’s
fantastic journey to different kingdoms in pursuit of his bewitched sisters. The music is by
Joey Ayala, with choreography by Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

2. Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin

This is a local version of the Pied Piper tale where the main character mesmerizes his
followers through the music of his violin. The story instills in them the moral lesson that
“good triumphs over evil.” The music is by Ryan Cayabyab, arranged by Arnold Buena,
and choreography is by Tony Fabella.

3. Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon

This is a love story where a princess falls in love with a bird. It was choreographed by
Ballet Manila danseur (a male ballet dancer) Osias Barroso. The music is taken from
selected musical works of National Artists arranged by Mon Faustino.

The second episode, Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, included the
following stories:

1. Ang Palasyo ng Mga Dwende

This is a romantic adventure wherein the heroine Yani is being maltreated by her envious
stepmother and stepsisters. The cursed bird is changed back into a prince with the help of
Yani. It depicts Mindanao and the ancient Pintados through its Neo-ethnic movements.

2. Labindalawang Masayang Prinsesa

This is a romantic fantasy about 12 daughters of the king. These 12 princess secretly
leave their bedroom at night to travel to an enchanted land and dance with the princes.

3. Anting-Anting

This is a horror-comedy wherein the cowardly hero Huan tries to overcome his fears in
order to win his love. The slapstick comedy is enhanced by exaggerated movements as
Huan is later haunted by ghosts that add to his fears for which he looks for an anting-
anting (lucky charm) to ward them off.

Rama Hari

5
 Rama Hari, translated as
King Rama, is the Philippine
adaptation of the Indian epic
Ramayana set to music, dance,
and drama. Originally presented
on February 8 to 17,1980, the
creative team consisted of Ryan
Cayabyab (Music), National Artist
Alice Reyes (Choreography),
National Artist Bienvenido
Lumbera (Literature), and
National Artist Salvador Bernal
(Theater Design), with the CCP
Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Cayabyab.
The production had the
dancers moving alongside the characters to provide the choreographic interpretation of their
singing and acting. It also featured the song Magbalik Ka Na Mahal sung by Kuh Ledesma.

The Indian Epic Behind the Musical Production

The Ramayana is one of the two great Indian epics that tell about Indian life around
1000 BC and how dharma was practiced. Later, it became a model of behavior for the whole
Hindu population. Dharma is a type of behavior said to be in accordance with the order that
makes life and the universe possible. According to its meaning, it explains the expectations
in fulfilling duties, respecting
rights, observing proper A scenes from the 2012 production of Rama Hari
conduct, practicing virtues, and
maintaining a rightful way of
living. The epic Ramayana
consists of 18 books containing
approximately 24,000 verses
divided into 500 songs.
The story revolves
around Prince Rama, the eldest
son of Dasaratha, King of
Ayodha, who had three wives
and four sons – Rama, Bharata,
and the twins Lakshmana and
Satrughna. Rama, considered
the incarnation of the Hindu god
Vishnu.
This epic teaches the Indians to perform their dharma. It has become a national
symbol of divine virtues upon which their great leaders including Mahatma Gandhi found
their inspiration.

Learning Activities
6
General Directions: Work on Activities 1-3 below. Do it on a separate sheet of paper.

Activity 1: Match Me!

Directions: Match column A with the correct answer in column B. Write the letter of the
correct answer.

Column A Column B

_____ 1. It is a fantasy story set to neo-ethnic music A. Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong

in Contemporary style. Marya

_____ 2. It is a local version of the Pied Piper tale B. Ang Mahiwagang Violin
where the mesmerizes his followers
through the music of the violin. C. Ang Palasyo ng Mga
Dwende
_____ 3. It is a romantic adventure about a heroine
named Yani whose heart is as beautiful as D. Labindalawang Masayang
her appearance. Prinsesa

_____ 4. It is a romantic fantasy about 12 daughters E. Anting-Anting

of the king.
F. Rama Hari
S
_____ 5. It is a horror-comedy in which the cowardly
hero Huan tries to overcome his fears in G. Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon
order to win his love.
H. Noli Me Tangere
_____ 6. It is a Philippine adaptation of the Indian
epic, Ramayana set to music, dance and I. El Filibusterismo
drama.
J. La Loba Negra
_____ 7. It is a love story where a princess falls in
love with a bird.

_____ 8. An opera, based on the three martyred

priest GomBurZa.

_____ 9. The three-act opera that expose the ills of

the Spanish Catholic friars and the ruling
government.

_____ 10. The sequel of Noli Me Tangere that tells of

the continuing struggle of the Filipino
people to achieve freedom and
emancipation from colonial rule.

Activity 2: Where Do I Belong?

7
Directions: Identify the following pictures. Choose if it is LA LOBA NEGRA, NOLI ME
TANGERE, THE OPERA or EL FILIBUSTIRISMO, THE OPERA.

1. _______________________________ 2. ______________________________

3. ______________________________ 4. _____________________________

5. ________________________________

Activity 3: True or False

Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is wrong.

8
_______1. Ang Walong Bulag is a horror-comedy in which the cowardly hero Huan tries to
overcome is fears in order to win his love.
_______2. Ang Labindalawang Prinsesa is a romantic fantasy about 12 daughters of the
king.
_______3. Ang Palasyo ng Mga Dwende is a romantic adventure about a heroine named
Yani whose heart is as beautiful as her appearance.
_______4. Ang Nakakatakot na Violin is a local version of the Pied Piper tale where the
mesmerizes his followers through the music of the violin.
_______ 5. Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya is a fantasy story set to neo-ethnic music in
Contemporary style.

Reflection

Directions: Complete the 3-2-1 Chart about your discoveries in 20 th and 21st Century
Multimedia Forms (Philippine Opera and Ballet). Write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.

9
 10
vary
Activity 2 Activity 1
Learners answers may
1. El Filibusterismo, The Opera
1. A
Reflection 2. Noli Me Tangere, The Opera 2. B
3. La Loba Negra 3. C
5. True 4. D
4. Noli Me Tangere, The Opera
4. False 5. E
3. True 5. Noli Me Tangere, The Opera 6. F
2. True 7. G
1. False 8. J
Activity 3 9. H
10.I
Answer Key
 References

Books:
Evelyn F. Cabanban, Melissa Y. Moran, Milagros P. Valdez. Horizons Music and Arts Appreciation for Young Filipinos Grade
10 Learner's Material. Tawid Publications, 2015.

Ramos, Lorelie B. Music 10 Quartr 4 - Module 3: Musical Plays in the Philippines. Pasig City: Department of Education -
Division of Pasig City, 2020.

Toledana, Dona Mabil T. Music 10 Quarter 4 - Module 2: Philippine Ballet. Pasig City: Department of Education - Schools
Division of Pasig City, 2020.

11