FRANK G RIVERA

Prepared by: Alyssa Manuel, Lance Felarca, Sydney Sagun

WHO IS FRANK RIVERA?

Frank G. Rivera (born 29 February 1948 in Paete, Laguna, Philippines) is a Filipino retired-
playwright, actor and production designer.

FRANK G. RIVERA is best known as founder of the SINING KAMBAYOKA, a flourishing theatre
movement at Mindanao State University. His extensive theatre involvement in the
Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA) under Cecile Guidote and Lino Brocka
found its initial focus in scriptwriting for a television drama series, BALINTATAW.

Also known as “makata ng cellphone” with his popular “textula” series, Rivera has, to date,
authored 21 books of plays for stage, radio, TV and film; plus short stories, essays and four
books of poetry published by the UST Publishing House. He has received four National Book
Awards while his poems and “textula” are read in political rallies, passed around as text
messages, read on radio, posted on social media, printed in tabloid and newspaper
columns, recited in school programs and utilized as material in oratorical and declamation
contests.

HOW IT STARTED

It all started in the year 2005. Every day, Frank G. Rivera sends poems about his opinions,
criticisms, economy, politics and happenings in the society to his close friends via text. He
inspired some of the Filipino poet writers to do the same thing and it was later on called as
Mobile phone Textula.

It spread throughout the Philippines and organizations such as Linangan sa Imahen,

Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) and Filipinas Translation Institute sponsored contests of textula.

FRANK RIVERA’S REGION: CALABARZON

Region IV-A (CALABARZON) is composed of the five provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas,
Rizal, and Quezon. CALABARZON is located in southern Luzon, southwest of Metro Manila
and is the second most densely populated region in the country.

Most visitors to CALABARZON head for Batangas province with its heritage towns and world-
class dive sites: highlights are the world’s smallest volcano, Taal, the Fortune Island with
its beach houses, and hiking up Mount Pico de Loro and Mount Batulao. Also popular is
inland Laguna province with its hot springs and historic towns.
WHAT IS A TEXTULA?

The term was made by blending the English word "text" and the Tagalog word "tula" and when
merged, means text poem. It is the genre of poetry read in mobile phones and originated
from traditional Tagalog Literature.

Characteristics of Textulas are:

• Any type of poem – it can be a Sonnet, Haiku, Dalit, and Tanaga. Any type of poem as
long as it has meter and rhyme.
• Uses symbols - the symbol (/) to employ that it is already the end of the line and use
(//) or (///) in every end of a stanza.

FRANK RIVERA’S WORK : “SONETO SA PAGLISAN”

Dumating at saka muli kang aalis/

Takbo ng orasan lalong pinabilis/
Sana ang dahilan sa iyong pagdalaw/
Ang namuong lungkot agad na nilusaw./
At sa muli natin ngayong pagsasama/
Dadalhin natin ang bagong alaala/
Lalong pinag-init ang pagsasamahan/
Na nagpayaman sa karanasan./
Sa iyong pag-alis muli mong baunin/
Matataimtim na mga panalangin/
Saka kakandungin ang aming pagliyag/
Na sa paglalakbay magpapahalakhak./
Tawang maririnig, magpapagunita/
Kahit ka lumisan, hindi ka nawala.///

Frank G. Rivera
Ika-30 ng Hunyo, 2016
Region 4A – CALABARZON

FRANK RIVERA’S WORK: “HALIK SA KAMPILAN”

The poems selected are written by Frank G. Rivera that reveal the Maranao’s stuggle for
identity and independence. The poems, which were primarily written to music, are all part
of the musical segments of the Dulang Kambayoka, Halik sa Kampilan by the same author.
Stitched into the dramatic setting of the play, these poems delve into the Maranao
consciousness and of their struggle for a unified, independent community.
Focusing on the poem “Ang Hawla” , found in Scene IV of Act III. The poem is written following
Fatima’s visit to her husband Jamail’s jail room. Jamail continues to refuse the rich men’s
offers and is sentenced to prison for false accusations of rebellion. He however, remains
undaunted and the poem is a revelation of his unchained spirit.
Ikasiyam na Bilang Musikal:
“ANG HAWLA”

Jamail:
Lahat ng tao ay nakakulon sa isang hawlang
Hindi makikita, tulad mo, tulad ko…
Nang isilang ka, pusod moy’ nakakabit
Sa sinapupunan ng iyong ina. • SYMBOLIC
Pusod na siyang tali sa iyong mga pakpak The umbilical cord as the symbol
Lumipad ka man sa malayung-malayo… of his tie and connection to his
mother that hinders him.
Jamail/Fatima:
Nang umibig, ka puso mo’y nakipag-isa
Sa puso ng iyong mahal
Yakap at halik ang silang naging tali • HISTORICAL
Sa iyong mga pakpak His relationships hindered him in
Lumipad ka man sa malayung-malayo avenging his false accusations. He
is faced with a dilemma; Freedom
Dalawang Koro: vs his family's protection
Lahat ng tao ay nakakulong sa isang hawlang
Hindi nakikita tulad mo, tulad ko…
Ang ating buhay, hindi natin sarili
Mga nais natin ay hind man lang masabi.
Kawangis natin ay pilay, bukag at pipi.
Hawla mo’t hawla ko’y iisa…
Lahat ng tao ay makakulong sa isang hawlang
Hindi nakikita tulad mo, tulad ko…
Ngunit bakit ba may mga taong
Mas Malaya kaysa sa iba?
Ewan ko…

Jamail: • MIMETIC
Ngunit bakit nga may mga taong Jamail is left to question the
Mas Malaya kaysa sa iba? unfairness of the world as he rots
in prison.