3rd Prize, 1985 CCP Gantimpala Playwriting Contest
Drawn from the research of the late Dionisio Orellana, the play chronicles the journey of epic hero Bato Lakungan, who traverses triumphs and painful reversals of fortune in his attempts to unite the North-Central Mindanao tribes. The hero – who as an historical personage links these peoples to a common lineage – symbolizes the shared genealogical roots of the Maguindanon, Maranao, Higa-unun, and Iliganun. His is the fate of the Filipino tragic hero. He rules to save yet fails to keep the promise of a peaceful and prosperous land. The disasters are not fated on us but are wrought by the workings that leaders and men cast on their people.
SYNOPSIS
Unjustly accused, Bato Lakungan escapes to Ranaw. His journey is dangerous but his 4 enchanted weapons help him overcome the hazards. He saves Kamayungan, princess of a rival tribe, and an old couple who in gratitude adopts him. He saves the couple’s village from a scourge and the harassments of Baringigan, a war-lord. The people crown him Datu and offer him a wife. But Kamayungan intrigues him. Kamayungan, Baringigan’s betrothed bride, and Bato fall in love and Baringigan vows greater destruction. News arrive that “white men” have plundered the coasts and are on their way to their villages even as Bato tries to unify the people.
First produced in 1985 after winning 3rd Place in the CCP Gantimpala Playwriting Contest, “Ranaw: Isang Alamat” propelled IPAG’s engagements with the CCP, the country’s premier institution.
After the 1986 People’s Power Movement and with CCP’s decentralization thrusts, IPAG was one of the first performing companies to link programs with the Center. The CCP Outreach piloted IPAG’s national tour of its award-winning “Ranaw: Isang Alamat” and established the Iligan Arts Council as one of the first region-based collectives. The musical milestoned IPAG’s national prominence garnering rave reviews from distinguished critics.
The proposal to restage the well-acclaimed “Ranaw: Isang Alamat” becomes the focal production for IPAG’s 50th, highlighting this production’s historic engagements with the CCP.
The last restaging of “Ranaw” was in 2008 when IPAG was still residing at the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). Relocated outside of MSU-IIT, IPAG, through its “Ranaw: Isang Alama,t” brands the iconic signature format of the IPAG, integrating local expressions, history, and narratives with the contemporary fitting IPAG’s position in Philippine performing arts in the last half century.
Mise-en-Scene, Script and MusicSTEVEN PATRICK C. FERNANDEZ, DFA ChoreographyMELVIN PASCUBILLO LEILANI M. FERNANDEZ Stage ManagerHERMINIGILDO DICO Chorus Trainor and Voice CoachGAMALLIER RICABLANCA Production ManagerARLEM ABANES DesignsVICMAR PALOMA TechnicalsALBERT MANOSA Director’s AssociateAMADO GUINTO Marketing and SalesDIANNE CLEMENTE LiaisonARLENE REYES House ManagerADONIS ENRICOSO ProductionCRISANTO ENCARNADO
REVIEWS
“…a major work in contemporary Philippine Theater…” NICANOR TIONGSON, Ph.D, Theater Historian
“…a splendid performance…” Albert Faurot, NSC News Supplement, 1985
“…superb combination …excellent … a very, very enjoyable performance!” James A. Palmore, Silliman University, 1986
“…beautiful… skillfully directed, absolutely entertaining.” Nora Ravello, Silliman University, 1986
“…a paean to the artistic sensibilities of Filipinos….entertaining, well researched – and Filipino.” Ludendorffo Decenteceo, Theater Director and Designer, 1986
“…largely responsible for the development of Philippine Theater in the Southern Philippines.” Independent, 1986
“…very good and important…” Chernikhovski Garik, Vaktangov Theatre, Moscow, 1988
“…so light and spontaneous and exquisite.” Stanislav Benedictov, Central Moscow Youth Theatre, 1988
“…IPAG has wowed audiences…” Mozart A.T. Pastrano, The Manila Chronicle, 1986
“…Iligan’s reputation… has been partly due to IPAG.” Marge Enriquez, Business World, 1986
“…crusading, untrammeled spirit…” Ofelia Rondina, Sunday Malaya Magazine, 1986
“Mindanao’s leading theater group…” Nick Nicolas, Manila Standard, 1986
“…fantastic work.” Dindo Angeles, Director, 1986
“Talented, innovative…” Mozart A.T. Pastrano, Business World, 1987
“…took major Luzon cities by storm…a hit, playing before a full-house and receiving standing ovations.” Mindanao Week, 1986
“… professional and impressive…” Manila Journal, 1986
“… a run-away success…” Christine Godinez-Ortega, NSC News Supplement, 1986.