By Amadís Ma. Guerrero
Philippine Daily Inquirer 3:28 am | Saturday, January 5th, 2013
The epic of Bicolandia, “Ibalong,” is a mélange of fantastic stories
with three heroes—Baltog, Handyong and Bantong—who got to battle against
the elements, one-eyed monsters, giant flying sharks, crocodiles as big
as boats, and other such fearful creatures.
Perhaps the greatest hero of Ibalong, the old name of Bicol, was
Handyong, who went on to build a town in an area called Ligmanan.
Handyong was a wise leader, and his town flourished. The people planted
rice which they named after the chieftain. Under his rule, masters and
slaves were treated equally.
It is the story of Handyong which the forthcoming production of
Tanghalang Pilipino, “Ibalong,” a dance-drama-musical, will focus on,
bringing together stellar talents from the performing arts.
The stage adaptation is by Rody Vera, with music by Carol Bello
and her Encantada band, and choreography by Alden Lugnasan. Production
design is by Leeroy New, and Katsch Catoy is lighting designer. Tuxqs
Rutaquio directs.
“Ibalong” goes on stage at the Cultural Center of the
Philippines’ Aurelio V. Tolentino Theater for three weekends from Feb.
8-March 3, 8 p.m. on Fridays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 3 p.m.
on Sundays.
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| IN REHEARSAL, Handyong (Remus Villanueva) girds for battle. PHOTO BY AMADÍS MA. GUERRERO |
EPITOME OF PRIDE
Handyong will be played by goodlooking and hunky Remus J. Villanueva,
26, who joined TP’s Actors Company only last year and is a mass
communication graduate from San Beda College-Alabang. This is his first
starring role.
The alternate is another talented hunk, Myke Salomon, who was a hit in Peta’s “Care Divas” and Atlantis Productions’ “Aida.”
For Villanueva, Handyong as interpreted by Vera “is actually the
epitome of pride when it comes to ruling Ibalong. He wants to take
charge and conquer. Rody wants to impart something else, different from
other productions, not just the hero but kung anong natutunan ni
Handyong (what Handyong learned). The play is very timely.”
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| Director Tuxqs Rutaquio. PHOTO BY AMADÍS MA. GUERRERO |
The other major characters are Oryol
(Jenine Desiderio of “Miss Saigon” fame) a serpent who, like the sirens
in The Odyssey, uses her beautiful voice to captivate men; Gugurang (May
Bayot), God of the Heavens; Aswang (Jonathan Tadioan), God of the
Underworld and the father of Oyrol; and Rabot (Marco Viaña), a blind
serpent whose stare can turn you to stone.
Rabot and Oyrol were an item, but somehow the match did not materialize.
Delphine Buencamino is understudy to Desiderio.
YOUNGER TACK
“Ibalong is not known to all so we are making
it more marketable to young people,” observes Rutaquio. “We settled more
on the mythical features and the costumes will invite more audiences.
So it is a spectacle, with stunts and costumes that are visually
appealing.”
The music is neoethnic with a tinge of
rock, but also “may pagka-spiritual ang attack ni Carol, especially for
Oyrol,” the director says. The halimaws (monsters), with their
headdresses made of resin, serve as the Greek chorus, and the arias are
chant-like.
“We are also focusing on the environment, on how we are destroying the forests,” Rutaquio adds.
At the end Handyong dies, so as to
eradicate all the halimaws. He who had created a civilization and wanted
to conquer the heavens is struck by lightning and expires. It is a
sacrifice on his part, to give way to his son Makusog (Cheeno Macaraig).
And so the legacy continues.
The triumphant coda is a vision of Daraga
Magayon (the beautiful) rising, leading to a change in the landscape of
the region and the creation of majestic Mt. Mayon. And the real saga of
Bicolandia will begin.
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