MUSIC 10

20 and 21 CENTURY
TH ST

PHILIPPINE MULTIMEDIA
FORM
As part of Philippine tradition,
many festivals and occasions are
celebrated where theatre arts are
used. Some of these are the
Senakulo, which takes place as on
stage performance that re-enacts
the passion of Christ. Another is the
Moro-moro which express the
conflict between Christians and
Muslims in the country. A famous
theatre form called Carillo, which is
usually drama play, is shown after
the harvest season. There is also the
Zarzuela, which is a local version of
Spanish operetta.
Opera was first introduced to
the Philippines in 1878 through
the zarzuela, a Spanish art and
music form that involves spoken
and sung words. It was
eventually called sarswela after
adapting to local culture. The
sarswela would, then, more
commonly be known as local
opera.
The Philippines, in its desire to
be part and be updated with its
Western counterparts has
made relentless efforts to
produce and develop its local
multimedia forms.
PHILIPPINE OPERA

Opera is an art and musical form in which singers and

musicians perform a dramatic work combining text (called
libretto) and a musical score, usually in an elaborate theatrical
setting. It incorporates many of the elements of spoken theater,
such as acting, scenery, costumes, and sometimes dance. The
dance is typically given in an opera house, cultural center,
theater, or auditorium. It is accompanied by
an orchestra or small musical ensemble, and the dialogue
is entirely sung and not spoken.
WHAT ARE THE LOCAL
THEATERS AND EARLY
PHILIPPINE OPERAS?
Teatro Zorilla or Zorilla
Theatre is also known as the
Dulaang Zorilla sa Maynila
was a prominent theatre in the
Philippines. First Filipino
opera is said to have been
Sandugong Panaginip by Pedro
Paterno and presented in
Zorilla Theater on August 2,
1902.
Manila Grand Opera House
was the country’s most
popular theater in the 1900s,
built on the corner of Doroteo
Jose Street and Avenida,
formerly the metro’s center of
entertainment. The Manila
Grand Opera House famously
held the stage for important
political, historical, and
cultural events in its glory
days.
Metropolitan Theater (Met)
The building was designed by
the Filipino architect Juan
Arellano, who stated that he
drew the plans for the building
with the phrase “On Wings of
Song” in mind. The theater
was inaugurated on December
10, 1931, with a capacity of
1670 (846 orchestra, 116 in
loge, and 708 in balcony).
Principe Alfonso Theatre In
1862, the Teatro del Príncipe
Alfonso XII was built within
Plaza Arroceros, near the
present-day Metropolitan
Theater. This theater stood until
1876, when the old theater was
burnt down. It was in 1924,
during the American Colonial
period that the idea of
constructing a theater in Manila
came about.
 What are the Original Philippine Operas?

Opera is a part of the Western classical music form and

tradition. As locals being exposed to Western art and
music, Filipino also realized their inner talents and
passion for the opera. The themes ripe for voicing their
own sentiments about love of country, and longing for
independence from colonial rule. The Philippines
boasts of this art form and has been lucky enough to
stage productions shown not only locally but
international as well.
A. LA LOBA NEGRA (The
Black She-Wolf)
This is one of the novels that
greatly influenced Dr.Jose Rizal’s
ideals. It was written by Father
Jose Burgos. It is actually
“subversive” melodrama. La Loba
is a three-act Filipino opera. Act I
and II are based on history. Act III
is based on a legend attributed to
Fr. Jose Burgos, one of the three
martyred priests.
The music was composed by
National Artist Francisco
Feliciano, with libretto by soprano
Fides Cuyugan Asensio.
B. NOLI ME TANGERE (Touch Me Not), The Opera
The three-act opera Noli Me Tangere was composed by
National Artist Felipe Padilla de Leon, with libretto by National
Artist Guilllermo Tolentino. It premiered in 1957 at the Far
Eastern University (FEU) Auditorium. The cast included Juanita
Javier Torres as Maria Clara, Don David as Ibarra, Fides
Cuyugan Asensio as Sisa, Milo Cristobal as Padre Damaso,
and Morlim Daram as the director.
In the opera, the meandering plot follows Juan Crisostomo
Ibarra, a young Filipino who returns home after studying in
Europe. The various plot twists includes Juan’s love affair with
Maria Clara; his rage at the unexpected exhumation of his
father’s body from its grave; altercation with the cruel Spanish
priest called Padre Damaso; and Juan’s eventual murder by
the Guardia Civil. The opera also involves the Filipino woman
Sisa and her two children, Basilio at Crispin.
C. EL FILIBUSTERISMO, The Opera
The three-act opera was composed by National
Artist Felipie de Leon in 1970, with libretto in
Filipino by Anthony Morli. The cast included Fides
Cuyugan Asensio as Paulita, Constancio Bernardo
as Simoun, and Irmo Potenciano as Juli. It was
staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
In El Filibusterismo, Crisostomo returns to San
Diego, distinguishing himself as a rich jeweler, Don
Simoun. He seeks revenge against the people
responsible for his misfortunes. He plans to start a
revolution, convinces the youth and mases to take
arms, and ultimately rescue his immortal beloved
from the confines of the convent.
 Philippine Ballet
What is a Ballet?
A type of performance dance
originated in the Italian
Renaissance courts of the 15th
century. The dance form known as
a ballet has been used to interpret
stories of all kinds. It does so by
allowing the characters to come
alive, not in spoken dialogue, but
in body movements or pantomime.
What are the original
Filipino Ballets?
Original Filipino ballets vividly present
folktales and local fables, as well as
epics from neighboring regions. Such
Filipino ballet productions have evoked
wide enthusiasm from people of all
ages. They have been added to the
repertory of Philippine dance
companies to supplement the Western
classical ballets.
A. TATLONG KWENTO NI LOLA
BASYANG
A ballet adaptation of Severino
Reyes folktales Mga Kwento ni Lola
Basyang. It was meant to instill and
rekindle the interest of Filipino youth in
the beauty, richness, and values found in
Philippine literature. The typical
storytelling scene shows a grandmother
Lola Basyang on a rocking chair, with
her grandchildren gathered around and
listening to her fascinating tales.
Two episodes of such stories were
presented by Ballet Manila, with Liza
Macuja-Elizalde as the company’s
Executive Director and prima ballerina.
Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang
featured the following stories:
1. Ang kapatid ng Tatlong Marya – it is about a hero’s fantastic
journey to different kingdoms in pursuit of his bewitched sisters.
2. Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin – local version of the Pied Piper tale
where the main character mesmerizes his followers through the
music of his violin.
3. Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon – a love story where a princess falls in
love with a bird.
The second episode, Tatlo Pang Kwento ni Lola Basyang,
includes the following stories:
1. Ang Palasyo ng mga Dwende – a romantic adventure about
heroine named Yani whose heart is as beautiful as her appearance.
2. Labindalawang Masasayang Prinsesa – a romantic fantasy about
12 daughters of the king, the princesses secretly leave their bedroom
at night to travel to an enchanted land and dance with the princes.
3. Anting – anting – a horror-comedy in which the cowardly hero
Huan tries to overcome his fears in order to win his love.
B. RAMA HARI
Translated as King Rama, is the
Philippine adaptation of the Indian
epic Ramayana set to music, drama,
and dance. The story revolves around
Rama, the avatar – an incarnation of
the Hindu god Vishnu-and his wife
Sita. They are banished from their
kingdom for 14 years, plotted by the
mother of one of Rama’s four brothers
to keep him from becoming the next
king.
 PHILIPPINE MUSICAL
PLAY
What is a musical play?
A form of theatrical presentation that musical play?
is composed of a combination of
songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and
dancing. In the Philippines, musical
play is more than a Broadway and
the West End, relying mostly on
adaptation of novels, literary works,
or biographical sketches of famous
artists.
What are the Philippine
The Philippine has a number of
musical plays which can truly be
proud of. With the musical talent
and creativity of very Filipinos,
truly these plays deserve
recognition and
worth of our appreciation.

A. ANDRES BONIFACIO:
ANG DAKILANG ANAK-
PAWIS
A musical by Jerry A. Dadap
written in 1980. The libertto
is by Dionisio R. Salazar, a
Palanca award-winning
playwright, and leading poet
Rogelio G. Mangahas. The
play’s main objective is to
inspire the audience to live a
life of sacrifice. It highlights
is the extreme love for
country that made him
sacrifice his life.
B. ATANG – DULANG
MAY MUSIKA
A musical play by Floy
Quintos, original score and
arranger by Von de Guzman
and directed by Alexander
Cortez. Set in 1987, her main
dilemma is to protect the
sanctity and legacy of her own
myth against the
encroachments of the modern
world and mass media.
C. KATY! THE MUSICAL
It is a two act musical play.
Music was written by Ryan
Cayabyab and story and libretto
by Jose Javier Reyes. This is a
highly publicized stage musical
based on the life of Kathy de la
Cruz who was considered the
“Queen of Philippine vaudeville
and jazz”. Katy was the highest
paid entertainer in the country.
She survived the Japanese
occupation of the Second World
war, a philandering husband who
nursed both a sick liver and a
family out of wedlock, and the
advent of movies and television.
D. FLORANTE AT
LAURA, THE MUSICAL
The poem of Francisco
Balagtas-Baltazar, made
into a play made by
Bonifacio Ilagan, under the
warring Moors and
Christians and the
intertwining lives of a
quartet of star-crossed
lovers Florante, Laura,
Aladin and Flerida.
Presented by Tanghalang
Pilipino at CCP Little
Theatre from July 7-24,
1988.
E. DARAGANG
MAGAYON
A production for poetry and
mixed media, portrays the
myth surrounding the origin
of Bicol’s famed Mt.
Mayon. It is based on a
poem by Merlinda C. Bobis,
and was fisrt presented at
the Cultural Center of the
Philippines Loading Dock
on March 1 – 2, 1991.
F. NOLI ME TANGERE,
THE MUSICAL
Staged at the CCP Little
Theatre from Feb. 1 – 4, 1996
as a production of Tanghalang
Pilipino.Ryan Cayabyab as
composer and musical director,
National Artist Bienvenido
Lumbera as librettist, Edna
Vida as choreographer,
National Artist Salvador Bernal
for
set and costume designs, and
Nonon Padilla for stage
direction.
G. EL
FILIBUSTERISMO, THE
MUSICAL
Was staged at the CCP Main
Theatre from August 8 – 10,
1997 as a production of
Tanghalang Pilipino. The
creative team was composed
of Ryan Cayabyab for
music, Jovy Miroy for the
libretto, Edna Vida for the
choreography, National
Artist Salvador Bernal for
set and costume designs, and
Nonon Padilla for stage
direction.
H. MAGSIMULA KA, THE
MUSICAL
The story of young dreamers
whose ambitions begin to fade
amidst life’s realities. They are
part of graduating classfilled
with hope but end up
compromising their idealism for
their own survival. The play
responds to the young people’s
lingering question of wether
there is hope for them in this
cruel world.
Written by Gines Tan and Nestor
Torre , was staged at the CCP
Main Theatre from April 7 – 24,
1988.
A.Ang kapatid ng Tatlong Marya
B. Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin
C. Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon
D. Ang Palasyo ng mga Dwende
E. Labindalawang Masasayang Prinsesa
F. La Loba Negra
G. Noli Me Tangere
H. El Filibusterismo
I. Rama Hari
J. Anting - Anting
_____1. A horror-comedy in which the cowardly hero Huan tries to overcome his
fears in order to win his love.
_____2. He seeks revenge against the people responsible for his misfortunes.
_____3. Acts I and II are based on history. Act III is based on a legend attributed
to Fr. Jose Burgos, one of the three martyred priests.
_____4. Romantic adventure about heroine whose heart is as beautiful as her
appearance.
_____5. The princesses secretly leave their bedroom at night to travel to an
enchanted land and dance with the princes.
_____6. Philippine adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana set to music, drama,
and dance.
_____7. A hero’s fantastic journey to different kingdoms in pursuit of his
bewitched sisters.
_____8. A love story where a princess falls in love with a bird.
_____9. A young Filipino who returns home after studying in Europe.
_____10. The main character mesmerizes his followers through the music of his
violin
 11-14.
Give the Early Local Theater Opera in the
Philippine.

15-17.
are the tree original Philippine
opera

18-20.
Name Three examples of Philippine
Ballet.