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Jan 9, 2022 · Philippine theater, with its roots deeply embedded in pre-colonial rituals and folk performances, has evolved over centuries to become a powerful medium for storytelling, cultural expression, and social commentary.
of how Filipino theater creates spaces to celebrate our similarities and differences with fellow humans in a globalized world: this is the author's agenda for the future of Philippine theater and performance studies.
Feb 23, 2024 · Key Takeaways. Traditional forms include zarzuela, sarswela, and komedya. Western influences introduced drama, farce, and melodrama. Innovative theater explores new storytelling techniques. Socially engaged theater addresses societal issues and advocates for change. Traditional Folk Theater. Philippines Cultural Show 2016. Watch on.
- Epic poetry. Epic poetry is considered the highest point of Filipino folk literature, and dates back to the pre-colonial period. These epics, usually of romance or adventure, are commonly presented during festivals and gatherings such as weddings, baptisms, and wakes.
- Duplo. The duplo is a poetic debate presented through song and dance, which originated from indigenous courtship customs. Poets used proverbs and riddles to present their suit to the woman of their choice.
- Moro-moro. For a time, one of the most popular types of theater in the Philippines was the Moros y Cristianos, which is not surprising for a country that was under Spanish rule for 300 years.
- Senakulo. Another performing art stemming from religious custom is the senakulo or Passion Play. This is the dramatization of the life and death of Jesus Christ and is usually presented as a community activity during the Lenten season.
- It was one of Manila’s iconic landmarks during the city’s years as the “Paris of Asia” Image credit: John Tewell. From the late 19th century until the beginning of World War II, Manila was at its peak, often called the “Paris of Asia.”
- Filipino architect Juan Arellano, who was also behind Manila’s Post Office Building and Jones Bridge, designed the theater. Image credit: Kahimyang Project, Arkitecturang Filipino Online/Wikimedia Commons.
- It was a survivor of World War II. Image credit: John Tewell. The Grand Dame of Manila, as the theater is often dubbed, stood nearly completely intact unlike most buildings in Manila, after the deadly Battle for the Liberation of Manila in World War II.
- Before being known for its pink color, it was originally painted in off-white. Image credit: METamorphosis. We have associated the historic gem with shades of light pink, but its original paint was actually off-white.
The Filipino contemporary culture (in this case also theatre) can be seen as a great example for anyone who would like to speak about the postcolonial identity of the nation. The Philippines – because of the difficult and complex history of the country – cannot be con-sidered in a binary differentiation: “Asian” vs. “Western”.
Theater in the Philippines is as varied as the cultural traditions and the historical influences that shaped it through the centuries. The dramatic forms that flourished and continue to flourish among the different peoples
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