EYE-OPENING STAGE PLAYS

What if our national hero Doctor Jose Rizal returns and witnesses all the events happening in our country, what would he say? Would he also be willing to die again for his dear Philippines?

Last October 10, 2018, 45 first year communication students of Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), mentored by Dahlia Reoma, showed their ability in delivering important messages about social issues through a stage play called ‘Walik’ that was attended by some 800 people at HCDC gymnasium, Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City.

‘Walik,’ a Muslim word for return is a four-story play based on four social issues: ‘Tulay’ talked about corruption, ‘Tangkulo’ on discrimination, ‘Garib’ on poverty, and ‘Aahils Wonderland’ on human rights.

Maimona Wanda Padillo Lao one of the writers of Tulay, in an interview said that mounting of the play was never easy due to lack of time in rehearsing the script and funding constraints. But their trust in each other and to God helped them to finish the play.

Lao also underscored the importance of staging a play about social issues. “As a writer, it is essential for us to be aware about social issues in our society, especially because these social issues might have a big impact in our future.” Lao said.

The directors of the play also shared their view on how important it for us to be aware about social issues in our society.

“Often times, poverty ang reason nganong mag resort into other social issues ang mga tao. Pero bisan unsa pa ta ka pobre karon, as long as naga buhat tag maayo nga butang ug nagapaningkamot, maka haw-as rata sa kapobrehon (Poverty is often times the reason behind these social issues. But as long as we work hard we can overcome poverty),” Dyanne Theriz Palle of Lagubo Production, director of ‘Garib’, said.

“Human rights violation is a sensitive subject pero importante sya nga iplay para ma aware ang tanan nga naga exist pani sya nga issue sa atoang generation karon (This must be shown to let the public know that it still exists),” Hannah Grace Singson, director of Aahils Wonderland, shared.

“Ang discrimination kay naa lang diha always. Dili nato mapansin tungod kay na culture na sya sa ubang tao. Playing it in front of other people is an eye opener nga angay gyud undangon ning ingon ani nga pamatasan (Discrimination has always been there and it has embedded in the culture of people. Showing it through a play is an eye opener to stop it),” John Ryan of Oro Film Production, director of ‘Tangkulo’, said.

“Importante nga mapakita sa kadaghanan ang sama ani nga mga play aron tanan ta ma aware sa mga social issues nga kinahanglan nato sulbaron (People must be aware of social issues that need to be addressed,” Jonathan Taboada of Lightbulb Production, director of Tulay, added.

Rizal does not need to return if our society has a youth like them living by his statement, “Ang kabataan ang pagasa ng bayan”. Young people who are awake and striving to achieve their personal dreams and dreams for the society is what our country needs.

Young people who are awake and striving to achieve their personal dreams and dreams for the society is what our country needs.