MARCOS, PRINCESS MHAY G. G12: ABM -B.

MARCH 21, 2023

BALLADO, JASTINE KEITH A.

SEVERINO MONTANO

National Artist for Theater (2001)

(January 3, 1915 – December 12, 1980)

Playwright, director, actor, and theater organizer, Severino Montano is the forerunner in
institutionalizing “legitimate theater” in the Philippines.. He has output of one novel, 150 poems and 50
plays in his 65-year lifetime.

Among his awards and recognitions is the Patnubay ng Kalinangan Award from the City of Manila (1968),
the Presidential Award for Merit in Drama and Theater (1961), and the Rockefeller Foundation Grant to
travel to 98 cities abroad (1950, 1952, 1962, and 1963).

One of the major improvements to the Filipino art scenes in the 1950s was Montano's invention of the
Arena Theater. The far-flung barrios of the Philippines now have access to theater as a source of
entertainment and a celebration of Filipino theatre.

Montano organized the Arena Theater to bring drama to the masses. He trained and directed the new
generations of dramatists including Rolando S. Tinio, Emmanuel Borlaza, Joonee Gamboa, and Behn
Cervantes.

He also established the Arena Theater Playwriting Contest that led to the discovery of Wilfrido Nolledo,
Jesus T. Peralta, and Estrella Alfon.

His published works include:

 The Love of Leonor Rivera (poetic tragedy in two-parts)

- Was the childhood sweetheart, and “lover by correspondence” of Philippine national
hero José Rizal. Rivera was the “greatest influence” in preventing Rizal from falling in
love with other women while Rizal was traveling outside the Philippines.

•Sabina (tragedy)

- Montano’s Sabina teaches the readers to value the family’s guidance in one’s life. Family
is th e first thing to be considered in making such decisions

 My Morning Star (poetic historical tragedy in three-parts)

 But Not My Sons Any Longer (poetic tragedy in two-parts),
 Gabriela Silang (poetic historical tragedy in three-parts),