Last January 27, 2020, our school invited an amazing production to perform a play about the History of the Philippines. This play was in collaboration of the 82nd St. Paul's Week. The said play was to perform and elaborate the history that happens in our country but not in a dull way but in a very wonderful dance performance showing the different culture Philippines had encounter especially the three different countries that occupied our country. The play lasted for 3 hrs and for my experience there was never a dull moment. It was very amazing and memorable.
It was a two-time schedule to watch the play, the first one was in the morning for grade school while the last schedule was for senior high school and junior high school. The play doesn't start exactly the given time but it was a little adjusted for the reason of waiting for everyone to come in the gym. First performance was to introduce the old tradition Philippines had before it was occupied by the Spanish era including the First Mass that was held in the country, the KKK and the different festivals in each island group. There was a performance of dance showing the culture of the Filipinos before in regards with their work and transaction also the story of Magellan and Lapu-Lapu. Upon showing the culture, the Spanish era started the show the different tradition Spanish era brought in our country also the struggles the Filipinos experience during their time, one of that was the Death March. Next one was Japanese era where they also show the different traditions Japan left together with the cruelty experience by the Filipinos as Comfort Women. The last era was the American era, they performed a dance explaining the english language introduced by the Americans also the dictionary. After showing the three different Era Philippines encountered, next was the traditions and festivals from the three island groups of the Philippines namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
They started showing the different culture and festivals from Luzon including the death of Dr. Jose Rizal and the different festivals like Panagbenga, Pahiyas and more. The festivals were explained just the way how it is celebrated and how it is dance. Visayas, was one of the island group of our country and it also have different festivals like Maskara Festival, Sinulog and more. It was more interesting because the production were great at dancing and the costumes were really accurate. Mindanao, last island group the belongs in the Philippines. Mindanao was explained more on it's culture rather that it's festival, Sarimanok was known from Mindanao the colorful chicken. It was more on the culture because Mindanao has it's prince and princess like what they call to their leaders, Datu. One of the known festival there was the Kadayawan Festival. The Battle of Marawi was also performed in a very touching dance performance. The play also show how malong were used in Mindanao.
For me, the Historya was one of the interesting play I have ever watched not just because it has a great production but it also explains and remind us the history our country been through. It was very memorable and fun for me because I appreciate every performances the actors and actresses performed because it was really clear and precise. One of the lesson I have learned was to not forget where we come from and that our culture and experiences bring us to what we are now because without all of that we can't call our country Philippines. I also keep in my mind and heart that I should be thankful for everything that happens, may it be good or bad because with all of that it really shows that our country was one of the best because of it's tradition and wonderful destinations.
