Epic Win — Newly-minted TAYO winner AUL-STAGE brings the spirit of heroism and volunteerism to young Filipinos through the power of theater.

MANILA, Philippines — Because of its length, its vast settings, its tendency to have long lists, and the archaic language it uses, an epic does not excite most of our young people anymore. Students balk at the thought of reading, much less studying epics for extended periods of time.

But rather than encourage intimidation, the Bikolano epic “Ibalong” led to inspiration among the members of Aquinas University of Legaspi’s – Sama-samang Tinig ng mga Aktor na Gumagalaw sa Entablado (AU L-STAGE) theater group.

Taking their cue from the epic’s three heroes – Baltog, Hadnyong, and Bantong – AU L-STAGE began “Tatlong Libong Bayani ng Ibalong: Imagining, Realizing Contemporary Heroes of the Ibalong Epic”, a project intent on finding the traits of these heroes in 3,000 of today’s young Filipinos.

That was back in March of this year. In less than a year, AU L-STAGE has managed to not only find 2,400 young Filipinos to sign up to become modern heroes of the Ibalong, but to garner national acclaim as well. Last week, the organization was hailed as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAY O) of the country, alongside nine other youth groups.

“Simple lang ang gusto namin, na ma-realize ng mga kabataang ito na sila ay bayani rin at hindi nila kailangan maghintay ng bayaning magliligtas sa kanila,” says Roe Jalimao, AU L STAGE’s artistic director. “Mas maganda ‘yung epekto na maimagine muna ng mga kabataan ang sarili nila bilang mga bayani.”

MAKING IBALONG RELEVANT

In the more than two decades since its establishment, AU L-STAGE has been regularly producing sociallyrelevant plays staged in and outside of the Bicol region. However, it was the group’s encounter with the “Ibalong” that would spur them to mount their winning project.

“Naisip naming magandang gawan ng story ang ‘Ibalong’ pero paano magiging interesante sa mga audiences ngayon. Naisip namin na kailangan namin ng bagong atake, ng bagong treatment,” says Jalimao.

“Pero nakita namin na ang sinasabi ng tatlong heroes na ito ay tungkol sa heroism at volunteerism. I-apply natin practically. Maghanap na tayo ng heroes.”

Before beginning their search, AU L-STAGE studied the “Ibalong” intently, trying to find themes in the work that would parallel events here in the present. After deciding that arts, education, and politics were the themes present in the epic as well as in today’s world, the group went out to communities to try and engage young Filipinos and their fertile imaginations.

“Paano naming ma idudugtong ang isang lumang literature sa buhay ng mga bata ngayon? Naisip namin gamitin ‘yung isa sa mga lakas ng kabataan at ‘yun ay ‘yung imagination,” explains Jalimao. “Because we are a theater group, we can do those things through theater workshops, forum theater, and production of plays.”

The imagination of the young participants of AU L-STAGE’s theater workshops and forum theaters are certainly put to work during the activities. With the participants coming from all parts of the community, there is a wealth of ideas thrown around.

“The participants came from a very diverse background. 'Yung iba nga walang-walang background sa theater. Kailangan may ipakita kang eksena na ready mo nang ipakita sa community para makapag-react sila at sabihin kung ano ang gusto nilang mangyari dito. Along the process, meron ka nang plano kung saan ang pupuntahan. Ang kailangan na lang ay detalye kung paano makakarating doon,” says Jalimao.

ARTS, EDUCATION, POLITICS

Jalimao says that while AU L-STAGE is aware of the themes present in the “Ibalong”, none of the participants from the communities they visit are ever told any of it. The fact that these themes spring up in the finished products of the workshops not only underscores the enduring power of the “Ibalong”, says Jalimao, but also brings to light the untapped social awareness of young Filipinos.

“Arts, education, and politics ‘yung nasa epic talaga. Pero nung pumunta kami sa barangay, hindi namin sinabi ‘yun. Walang limit talaga,” he recalls. “Pero maraming lumalabas na arts, education, and politics. Nakita talaga namin ‘yung parallelism nung epic sa kasalukuyan.’’

After the workshops, the participants not only get to stage the play but are also asked by AU L-STAGE to make a statement as to why they are heroes in their own right.

LITTLE HEROES

As idealistic as their aims may be, the group says that the “Tatlong Libong Bayani ng Ibalon” project has not been without setbacks, foremost of which is the dismissive attitude that some parents in the community have towards arts and culture in general.

“Hindi naman nawawala ‘yung mga taong hindi nakikita ang silbi nitong theater workshop. ‘Yung iba doon ay mga magulang,” says Jalimao.

“Hindi namin napipilit ‘yun. Pero kapag nakikita naman nila ‘yung output, wala naman ganong masyadong reaksyon or oposisyon.’’

The group also had a minor misunderstanding with the university administration. Policies and schedules had to be rearranged, but Jalimao says that the group and the university administration have begun to get the hang of each other.

With the TAYAYO victory, Jalimao says the group intends to continue with its mission to awaken the spirit of volunteerism in every young Filipino.

“Sa mga social issues ngayon, para ma-involve mo ang kabataan, kailangan mong gisingin kung ano ang meron dati sa kanila,” proclaims Jalimao. “Very clear kasi ang orientation ng group namin na hindi lang kami magtatanghal ng palabas na nakakatawa or nakakaiyak, ang grupo namin ay nandiyan para gumising at magpakilos ng mga kabataan na totoong bayani ng ating bansa.”