Hiraya's new komedya

Hiraya Theater Company premieres its new komedya billed "Ang Kapid" at the EBJ Freedom Park at 8:00 PM on May 28, to open the National Heritage Fiesta in Antique. The three-ay festival culminates the month long National Heritage Month celebration.

The new komedya "Ang Kapid" takes the first act from Hamtic's "Lucibar Filomeno" presented during the Komedya Antiquena 2007. The second act was written entirely by Alex C. Delos Santos, who also directs the play. Original music is by Bimbo Muyuela, choreography of batalla by Mclaurence Saligumba, choreography of gallarda by Alex C. Delos Santos. Technical direction and stage management by Janice Matias, production management by Richard Magbanua.

Actors include Mclaurence Saligumba as Portivillar, Jaylord Bantolo as Lucibar, Richard Salameda as Haring Cesar, Leda Tongcua Samar as Reyna Judith, Jean Matias as Pastora Jacobina, Jayro Oriel as Leandro, Ronel Guangco as Arturo, Jan Fredrick Nietes as soldado, and Lozel Lacbanes and Aljean Manalo as dama.

Hiraya Theater Company's first komedya "Kasanag batok sa sugal" had a national premiere on February 15 last year, during the National Komedya Fiesta at UP Diliman. It has also performed excerpts at the National Broadcasting Network's Sining Gising program. The same komedya was also brought to Cebu for the One Visayas Arts Fair at the Cebu International Convention Center, Mandaue City.

Hiraya's other productions include "Fray Botod" and "Kahon". The theater company represented Antique at the International Theater Week and MDG Summit at Intramuros in March 2008.

"Ang Kapid" is Hiraya's entry to the Komedya Antiquena 2009. It is supported by Binirayan Foundation, Inc., Antique Provincial Historical and Cultural Council, Cindy's, Piedra Restaurant, Arjee's Restaubar, Christine's Grill & Resto, Bread and Butter, Chowking, Paul & David's Batchoy, The Pinnacle Suites & Functions, Balay Lokal, and Datu Lubay Center.

Komedya Antiqueña in Manila

Wow, we did not expect to have a big crowd on February 15 at the UP Amphitheater. Good thing the rest of UP chose our komedya over the other grander komedya versus Gloria at Makati. And we were happy to have some of UP's literati in the audience.

Tony Mabesa sat right in the center aisle, and he was enjoying himself. This would be confirmed later by a call from Dulaang UP's Manny Casalan, who happily informed us that Tony Mabesa was delighted with the komedya from Antique.

Fides Cuyugan came rather early to have a chat with Governor Sally Perez. Quoted from her text to Governor Perez the next day: "Congratulations dear Governor. What a treat you gave us!...Kudos and cheers to you for making it all happen! And of course, the director. Alex, right? It was almost Mozartian in execution.... Loved it!"

What exactly "Mozartian" meant, it sounds good, and coming from Fides Cuyugan, who remembers me, I am thrilled.

Writer and director Henry Tejero, who was responsible for bringing Fides, also texted me the next day: "We thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Fides and I were shuttled back to a wondrous time in our childhood. She, 70 years ago in Bicol when Bikol theater was a gilded realm; and me, 50 years ago when Ilonggo theater cast a golden afterglow. I must congratulate you for bringing glitter back into our hearts."

Such nice words. Thank you.

I know our komedya was well-liked for its provincial polish. But it was heart-warming to find kids, who did not understand Kinaray-a, earnestly listening to the luwa, getting thrilled with the batalya and the galyarda. And later, clambering up the stage to give flowers they picked from the hedges to Jean and Mercycar, who played princess and queen respectively. They also lost no time asking for photo ops, which their parents gladly obliged them.

Of course, we must thank the Antiqueños who came to watch and relive the happy days of the komedya in Antique: Governor Sally Perez, Edsel Moscoso, Popo Lotilla, Jairus Paguntalan, Susan Macabuag, Darlene Joy Posadas, Jun Sabug, Yul Quanico, Dong Elio, Manny Casalan, Tita Carina and family, Junjun Combong, Tita Mimi Gayatin, Arjee and Candy, Albert Paala, and the UP-based students who later text me they watched and enjoyed. Sr. Deanna, even called up while on a train in Bangkok, just to make her presence felt.

More than anything, I am happy for the actors, many of them first-timers, who had their day on stage at UP. They are the real stars of the komedya. So, when Cecile Guidote-Alvarez invited us to guest in her show Sining Gising at PTV4, we were so eager to say yes. Komedya Antiqueña has not only made its national premier at UP, it was also shown on national television. There is nothing more we could ask for.

Hiraya Theater Company at Komedya Fiesta 2008

Hiraya Theater Company will have its national premier of the komedya "Kasanag batok sa sugal" (Light vs. Gambling) at the UP Amphitheater, Diliman, Quezon City on February 15. The komedya written by Exaltacion V. Combong (1908-2000) in 1962 gets a new take with additional scenes, revised dialogue in Kinaray-a, and a minimalist yet eclectic production design.

As director, I wanted to create komedya that is fast-paced and witty for an audience hooked on MTV. Thus, this one runs only an hour, and designed to look like a perya or karnabal. Scholar Dr. Cecile Locsin-Nava who was around for the final rehearsals on February 11 at the EBJ Freedom Park in San Jose, Antique, said the dramatic structure has become more compact, and is indeed meant for the young audience, who may have seen their first komedya. She also liked the fight scene, which is the highlight of the komedya. Thanks to fight consultants Gerry Baclagon of Lauaan and Mario Patiño of Madrangca.

After the performance at the UP Amphitheater on February 15, the komedya will have performances in Antique, starting in Tibiao to open it's Maninihon Festival on February 22. Other performances shall be on April 12 for the Kampo Kabataan 2008, and on April 22 for Binirayan Festival. For more infor, contact Binirayan Foundation, Inc. 036-5407343 or 09275830174.