External Affairs Division PPAO
CITY OF MALOLOS – The status of the song ‘Jocelynang Baliwag’ as the Kundiman ng Himagsikan and its comparison to the image of the Motherland has been challenged as the Dulaang Filipino Sining Bulakenyo staged ‘Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol’ at the Nicanor Abelardo Auditorium, Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center for four consecutive days.
The story revolved around a new play created as a tribute to a newly built theater in the province, but during deeper explorations had uncovered untold truths about Jocelynang Baliwag that will challenge its revered standing as the song of the revolution.
Andrew Estacio, the Bulakenyo writer of the play, said that he is proud that theater, arts, history, and music is very much alive in the Province of Bulacan.
“Paano ba natin tinitingnan ang kasaysayan sa punto de vista ngayon, paano ba natin ito iwinawasto? Yung sining nand’yan para baguhin pa rin ‘yung isip natin hinggil sa kasaysayan. Binubuhay ng sining ang kasaysayan. Forever relevant, forever entertaining and enjoyable ‘yung paghalungkat natin ng kasaysayan, lalo na ang kasaysayan ng Bulacan,” Estacio said.
The play also touched the struggle of staging a play torn between showing historical data and honoring artistic interpretation.
“Ito ang adbokasiya namin bilang theatre practitioners, bilang cultural workers, na madala at maikalat ang impormasyon, maikwento ang mga dapat i-kwento gamit ang teatro,” the director, Nazer Degayo Salcedo, said.
Meanwhile, Allyson McBride, a student from the Mary the Queen School of Malolos, who was one of the audiences during one of the shows, encouraged her fellow youth to study the culture of the province and of the country.
“Sa panahon natin ngayon na madaming nangyayari at madami na tayong nalalaman, sana huwag nating i-take advantage at mahalin pa natin ang ating kultura kasi ang ating kultura ay doon tayo nanggaling. Huwag natin itong ibalewala at ito ay aralin natin,” McBride said.
The DFSB: Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol is still showing on the Nicanor Abelardo Auditorium and is open to the public until September 12, 10:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 6:00 pm.
