The Play
Inspired by the M’ranao pseudo-bird icon of wealth and prestige, the musical narrates of a legendary bird whose responsibility is to feed the flock. Learning how to fly through a vagabond Ibon who accidentally stumbles on their land of Bayang Lawa, Sarimanok oversteps tradition. The harsh laws deal her the ultimate punishment for her transgressions.
Featured in the U.P. Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Diliman, 1983. Sarimanok earned for its playwright a fellowship to the 1986 U.P. National Writers Workshop, which play subsequently, won a U.P. Likhaan in 1986. The CCP awarded it with Production and Touring Grants in 1988 and 1989 performing in the Visayas and Mindanao. The first version has been published in an anthology by the UST Publishing House through Arthur Casanova’s ‘Mga Piling Dulang Mindanao, Unang Aklat.’
Creative and Production Team
Choreography (2013 remount). LEILANI M. FERNANDEZ MELVIN PASCUBILLO Original Choreography.JULIET CELESTE F. MALIT (Additional Choreography.NOLLY CEBALLOS LOVE JOY ORBE-BROWN ARCHIBALD PACANA) Music.STEVEN P.C. FERNANDEZ Designs.HERMI DICO and JEFF UMBAY Digital Recording.IAN CUTAB Technical Director. MARK SAURA Asst. Director.MICHAEL LAGURA
Book and mise-en-Scene. STEVEN P.C. FERNANDEZ
Reviews
“… a ‘coup d’ theatre’…” ALBERT FAUROT
“…strong and definite directorial vision … complete and whole.” DOREEN G. FERNANDEZ, Theatre Historian
“…so spontaneous, freed by a mastery that easily engaged the audience…” ESTEBAN BASILIO VILLARUZ, Philippine’s foremost dance scholar
“Kulay. Tunog. Galaw. Kung paanong ang mga ito’y mapatatagos sa puso at papagaspas isip, iyon ang nagawa ng IPAG sa SARIMANOK.” – GERMAN V. GERVACIO, multi-awarded poet
photo credits: JEZ ORBE and RONALD ALLAN SALAZAR
original showsign and logo: DENNIS ORELLANA