ENG 157: SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS

Module #23

Name: __________________________________________
Julia Patricia D. Ursua Class number: _________________
Section: 3ABCOMM-01
_________ Schedule: ______________________ Date: _________________________

Lesson Title: Revisiting the Theatre in the Philippines Materials:

Lesson Objectives: SAS
At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:
1. discuss types of theater in the Philippines. References:
http://theaterfansmanila.com/7-types-of-
theater-in-the-philippines/
https://www.solaireresort.com/article/the-
evolution-of-philippine-theatre

Productivity Tip:
Believe you can and you are halfway there! 

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

1) Introduction
Hi! Today is one of the last two modules before the semester ends. Hope that you will remember
all the lessons you learned and somehow relate or apply those in your daily living.
Before you proceed, let us have a recall about last meeting’s lesson.

Directions: Identify the six types of Japanese Theater.

1. Kabuki
2. Noh
Kyogen
3.
4. Bunraku
5. Takarazuka Revue
6. Geisha Dances

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 ENG 157: SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS
Module #23

Name: __________________________________________ Class number: _________________

Section: _________ Schedule: ______________________ Date: _________________________

2) Activity 1: What I Know Chart (3 mins)

Directions: To gauge your prior knowledge, answer the first column based on the questions found in the
second column. DO NOT answer the third column yet.

What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)

1. What are the salient
The Philippine characteristics of Philippine The plays and musicals they created are
theater is more on theater? based from folks legends passed down
through generations to intellectual debates
musicals. as performance art.

2. When did Philippine Theater

I have no idea. start? The Philippine theater in the
nineteenth century is a melting
pot of cultures that emerged.

B. MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 2: Content Notes
Pre-printed:
Directions: Read and highlight the main ideas and supporting details in the lesson.

Philippine Theater
Long before the different forms of theater we enjoy today, like straight plays and musicals largely influenced by
the West, the Philippines has had many types of theater through the years. It’s a rich performing arts tradition – from
folk legends passed down through generations to intellectual debates as performance art; from pagan practices to the
deeply religious celebrations influenced by years of colonization, here’s a look back through the colorful history and
evolution of theater in the Philippines.

Types of Philippine Theater

1. Epic poetry
Epic poetry is considered the highest point of Filipino folk literature, and dates back to the pre-colonial period.
These epics, usually of romance or adventure, are commonly presented during festivals and gatherings such as weddings,
baptisms, and wakes. Singers have been known to perform for hours at a time. One of the most famous epic poems is
Biag ni Lam-ang, the national epic of the Ilocano people, and notable for being the first folk epic to be recorded in written
form after being passed on from generation to generation.

2. Duplo
The duplo is a poetic debate presented through song and dance, which originated from indigenous courtship
customs. Poets used proverbs and riddles to present their suit to the woman of their choice. This ultimately evolved into
a more formal debate on issues, and started to be called the balagtasan.

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 ENG 157: SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS
Module #23

Name: __________________________________________ Class number: _________________

Section: _________ Schedule: ______________________ Date: _________________________

3. Moro-moro
For a time, one of the most popular types of theater in the Philippines was the Moros y Cristianos, which is not
surprising for a country that was under Spanish rule for 300 years. Commonly called moro-moro, it is a street drama that
usually lasted for several days, and presented both secular themes like love and vengeance, and the Spanish-influenced
religious theme of the conflict between Christians and Moros. The moro-moro only survives in isolated towns today, and
though an integral part of Filipino art history, it may not bear too much close scrutiny these days with its less than
admirable depictions of intolerance.

4. Senakulo
Another performing art stemming from religious custom is the senakulo or Passion Play. This is the dramatization
of the life and death of Jesus Christ and is usually presented as a community activity during the Lenten season. This still
endures to the present, ranging from simple productions to more technically sophisticated and modernized versions.

5. Traditional Folk Dance

With its varied cultures and communities throughout its 7000 islands, the Philippines has a diverse collection of
folk dances. Some of the most popular folk dances are the Singkil, a folk dance that originated from the Maranao people
of Lake Lanao in Mindanao, from the epic legend Darangen; the Itik-Itik, which originated as an improvised dance in
Surigao del Sur and was discovered by National Artist for Dance Francisca Reyes-Aquino; and the Tinikling, which is
similar to Singkil with its use of bamboo poles that dancers must weave through. It is supposed to mimic the movement
of the local tikling birds.

6. Bodabil
It sounds like “vaudeville”, and it is. This form of theater was an American import in the pre-war era, but became
uniquely Filipino with the indigenization of the name. Like its American counterpart, bodabil featured a variety of musical
numbers, comedic and dramatic skits, and song and dance numbers. Popular Filipino performers such as Dolphy, Anita
Linda, and sarsuwela legend Atang de la Rama got their start in bodabil. It has since died out with the rise of cinema,
but its influence can still be felt in television variety shows.

7. Sarsuwela
The sarsuwela is a type of melodrama, usually in three acts, that uses alternately spoken and sung words. It
was the Spanish influence that started the sarsuwela, but it was also this colonization that led Filipinos to incorporate
nationalistic overtones in the art. This resulted in the arrest of several prominent writers such as Aurelio Tolentino and
Pascual Poblete, and eventually, the shutdown of sarsuwela companies during the American occupation. As proof of its
importance in Philippine culture, in 2011 the National Commission for Culture and the Arts designated the sarsuwela as
a nominee for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage lists.
2) Activity 3: Skill-building Activities
Score

Directions: Watch the following video on the link below and make a summary of the salient
points in Theater of the Philippines.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XlfD5C8Mrs

Summary

-Theater in the Philippines is as diverse as the cultural traditions and historical influences that have shaped
it over the centuries.

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 ENG 157: SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS
Module #23

Name: __________________________________________ Class number: _________________

Section: _________ Schedule: ______________________ Date: _________________________

-The Philippines Theater started with Indigenous Drama. Indigenous Drama are imitative classes in
Pre-hispanic Philippines that form rituals, dances, songs and games.

-Spanish used drama for Christianization, pedagogical tools and to lure people into their homes.

-Comedy and Sarsuela are the forms of dramas, during the Spanish Colonial Era.

-Comedy is a play in verse that started in 1598 in Cebu. Followed by the Oraciones Espaniolas in 1601.

-Zarzuela- A type of Spanish Theater that can be both sung and spoken.

3) Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2

Directions: Now that you already have knowledge about the lesson, go back to Activity 1 and answer
the third column.

4) Activity 5: Check for Understanding

Score

To check your understanding, let us have a short quiz.

Directions: Identify the type of theater being described.

Senakulo 1. This is the dramatization of the life and death of Jesus Christ and is usually
presented as a community activity during the Lenten season.
Moro-moro 2. This is a street drama that usually lasted for several days, and presented both
secular themes like love and vengeance, and the Spanish-influenced religious theme of the conflict
between Christians and Moros.
Bordabil 3. This form of theater was an American import in the pre-war era, but became
uniquely Filipino with the indigenization of the name.
Sarsuwela 4. This is a type of melodrama, usually in three acts, that uses alternately spoken
and sung words.
Duplo 5. This is a poetic debate presented through song and dance, which originated
from indigenous courtship customs.

C. LESSON WRAP-UP
1) Activity 6: Thinking about Learning
A. Work Tracker
You are done with this session! Let’s track your progress. Shade the session number you just completed.

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 ENG 157: SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS
Module #23

Name: __________________________________________ Class number: _________________

Section: _________ Schedule: ______________________ Date: _________________________

B. If you have questions, feel free to write them down.

FAQs
1. What is the importance of theater?
Theater can be influential in all aspects of life. Participating in theater classes can stimulate student's creativity
and thought process. The whole experience of theatre makes people more aware and sensitive towards various
issues. It empowers the meek and makes people do away with their reservations.

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 ENG 157: SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS
Module #23

Name: __________________________________________ Class number: _________________

Section: _________ Schedule: ______________________ Date: _________________________

KEY TO CORRECTIONS
Activity 1
1. Kabuki
2. Noh
3. Kyogen
4. Bunraku
5. Takarazuka Revue
6. Geisha dances

Activity 5
1. Senakulo
2. Moro-moro
3. Bodabil
4. Sarsuwela
5. Duplo

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