February 15, 2025
In the Muslim community of Semporna, there was a bitter feud brewing between two rich families -- the Mustaphas and the Kalimuddins. During a masquerade dance, Rashiddin (Karl Borromeo) of the Mustapha family fell in love at first sight with Jamila (Maliana Beran) of the Kalimuddin family. Their forbidden love affair led to a series of violence that unfortunately led to deaths from both families, which led to Rashiddin getting exiled to Dapitan.
Surely that synopsis sounds familiar -- it is William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" transposed to a Mindanao setting by Ricardo Abad and first staged in July of 2011 at the Ateneo under Abad's direction. It was the final set designed by National Artist Salvador Bernal before he passed away in October, 2011. When Abad passed away last December 26, 2023, Abad's protege Guelan Varela-Luarca took over as director for a 2024 restaging in his honor.
The show opened with an overture played by a live band called Anima Tierra, playing their traditional, contemporary and experimental instruments right there on centerstage. They created a wall of sound with their percussions and vocalizations that set the propulsive and ethereal atmosphere of this play. Led by Jayson Gildore and Rhea Dagnalan, they take over the band of their mentor Edru Abraham and Kontra Gapi who played during the 2011 run.
The first character to enter the stage was the Imam, who also served as the narrator of the story. James Reyes delivered his lengthy introductory monologue with his graceful movements and strong singing voice. Color was added when Reyes was joined by the other cast members dressed in their family colors -- orange for Mustaphas and green for Kalimuddins -- dancing the native igal (choreography by Matthew Santamaria) to the infectious beats of Anima Tierra.
To be completely honest, I did not really understand every word being said onstage. Not only were they delivered in poetic old-fashioned Filipino, the sound system was insufficient to support the vocal projection of the actors. You can hear their voices going hoarse in their effort to make their lines understood. Those familiar with "Romeo and Juliet" can the drift of the story by context. Those unfamiliar with the original story may find it challenging to follow.
Notable in this adaptation were the recurrent references to the afterlife. After Mercutio-equivalent Badawi (Roldine Ebrada) and Tybalt-equivalent Taupan (Jerome Dawis) were killed, they were shown to get up, wore a veil and salakot, and climbed up the stairs to the life beyond. At the end, they came back onstage to fetch the souls of Rashiddin and Jamila to lead them towards the hereafter, an aspect not in Shakespeare original.
The classic multi-level set design by Salvador Bernal had been beautifully recreated by Tata Tuviera. A most remarkable scene was that when Rashiddin bought poison from witches with giant anahaw leaves -- breathtaking. The important role of Sabrina Basilio's dramaturgy for a cultural topic like this cannot be underestimated. Likewise important was Missy Maramara's role as intimacy coordinator, particularly in that honeymoon night pas de deux.
Majority of the audience of the matinee I watched were excitable English-speaking elementary school boys. They vigorously cheered every kick and clash of knives during the fights (exciting fight choreography care of Brian Sy). They gasped loudly when Ginoong Kalimuddin (Fred Layno) slapped Jamila's face, and likewise during the climactic modified suicide scenes. You can just imagine how loud their rowdy hooting reactions were during the love scene!
"Romeo and Juliet" -- with sensitive themes of teenage violence, marriage and suicide -- does not seem to be a play apt for young kids, but hey, it is a "classic." I do hope their teachers debrief them adequately about these adult topics, and orient them about theater etiquette as well. The old ladies seated beside me were clearly not amused with the juvenile antics. But for me, the noisy response around me actually added to the entertainment value of my viewing experience.
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This rerun of "Sintang Dalisay" runs only for 9 shows only this February 14-23 at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University. Buy your tickets from Ticket2Me via this LINK. Tickets cost P1200 for Orchestra and P800 for Balcony. The show runs for 2 hours with no intermission.
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