3 major Filipino artists collaborate to give Albay legend a fresh outlook

A new production of Daragang Magayon the mythical tale of Mount Mayon in Albay will be onstage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines come Feb. 8. Previous artistic renditions of this legend involving various renowned writers, poets, theater artists and musicians had been onstage through the years, but the 2013 production is said to present never before witnessed scenes and colors and a refreshed outlook.

The talents of three Filipino artists were pooled to present a fresh yet enchanting version of the undying legend of Daragang Magayon: The poetry of National Artist Virgilio S. Almario, the music of Dr. Ramon Pagayon Santos and the creative resources of Albayano writer and researcher Abdon Balde Jr. who was recently appointed Albay Poet Laureate.

The familiarity of Dr. Santos with the tale is probably the reason why he can smoothly carve out hidden emotions from new scenes on the subject.

National Artist Virgilio Almario lends the magic of his poetry to the lyrics, carefully threading in Rio Almaic verses through the tale that pricked supernatural emotions, and led the gods to conspire in favor of an enduring love.

Much of the magical realism of the legend, involving ancient rituals and mythological characters is a product of the research and stories weaved by multiawarded Bikolano writer Abdon Balde Jr. who specializes in mythopoeia and the folk stories of Bikol.

The choreography and stage direction was done by Gerald Mercado, of the eDance Theater in coordination with his lovely wife, Katrina Santos Mercado. Film-maker Chuck Escasa and animators Benjie Marasigan and Niko Salazar contribute their expertise to the film and visual arts aspect of the production, espe- cially making use of 2-dimensional film technology to ensure a vibrant, lively account of the lovers’ affair and the legend of the beautiful Mayon Volcano. The production is inspired by the common aspiration for creating a Filipino masterpiece out of the talents of different Filipino artists, and their unique approach to their art be it music, dance, poetry, or visual arts.

The Daragang Magayon myth is basically a love story between the lass Magayon (beautiful) and Ulap (cloud). Now we know why clouds always hover over Mount Mayon. It’s love against all odds. Typical Romeo and Juliet - Florante at Laura, except that the gods in the end, pestered by the evil Aswang’s manipulations - who mind you was also a supernatural being and, therefore to whom the ill fated lovers were no match - had to finally lend a hand. By that time, the lovers were already dead, and being gods who do not raise the dead, they have to do something to make their love last eternal.

e- Dance expands this love story to evoke a rich character of the Filipino myth in movements and colors. In particular, the deities and gods of Philippine mythology are also allowed that role - like other gods and goddesses of the legends - to alter future for the sake of love. In this case turning lovers to mountain and the sky, quite literally moving heaven and earth, so that they part no more.

It is by e-Dance Theater’s commitment to creating dances and movements that is uniquely Filipino, both in techniques and aesthetics, and by the genius of Mercado, plus Dr. Santos’ original score making use ethnic Filipino instruments, that Daragang Magayon will strike viewers as an original presentation.

Daragang Magayon is produced by the Albay provincial government as part of a revitalized tourism development program.