Potenciano Cañizares Jr.’s play “Rajah Hamabar”

Potenciano S. Cañizares, Jr. was born in Talisay, Cebu, on May 20, 1936. He studied at the Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos (for his pre-law) and for his Bachelor of Laws he studied at the University of San Carlos. Potenciano, nicknamed “Junne,” became a lawyer on March 18, 1965.

Among the many short stories and articles he wrote in English and Cebuano was the stage play “Rajah Hamabar”. It is set on the three big events in Cebu in 1521. First, the giving of the Image of the Sto. Niño by Ferdinand Magellan (also known as Fernando Magallanes) to Dayang. The second is the Battle of Mactan, which resulted in the death of Magellan at the hands of LapuLapu and the killing of the Spaniards who stole the treasures and then raped the women of the Kingdom of Hamabar (also known as Hamabar).

“Rajah Hamabar” of Cañizares written in Cebuano was translated into English by Professor Erlinda K. Alburo, Director of the Cebuano Studies Center of the University of San Carlos. She finished her PhD in Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. The translation is part of the book “Dulaang Cebuano” which also includes the works of Don Vicente Sotto, “Ang Paghigugma sa Yutang Natawhan” and Don Buenvantura Rodriguez’ “Ang Peke”. Cañizares’ play was also translated into Filipino by Don Pagusara.

The characters of “Rajah Hamabar” are: Hamabar (Rajah of Cebu, his other name is Humabon and he was the son of Lasangnon), Lapu-Lapu (leader of Mactan), Zula (another chieftain), Maisog (noble nephew of Hamabar, successor to the throne), Amed and Bantog (trusted men of Lapu-Lapu), Dayang Balani (wife of Hamabar), Lumay (woman of LapuLapu), Lakambini Himaya (daughter of Hamabar and wife of Maisog), Amihan, Maya, and Hasmin (friends of Dayang Balani) and soldiers, advisers, spirits, and slaves.

Cañizares became part of Bisaya Magasin from 1960 to 1963 under its editor, Francisco Candia, it was Junne who was assigned as its Literary Editor. He also wrote the story, “The Fastest Ulisi Fighter.” He was the first editor of Cebu Advocate and also became the President of Lubas sa Dagang Bisaya (LUDABI), an association of Cebuano writers in Visayas and Mindanao, in 1970. Another publication that Cañizares became part was the Ang Dagang Bisaya published by LUDABI.