GRADE 10 (4th QUARTER WEEK 1)

2OTH AND 21ST CENTURY MULTIMEDIA FORMS

Lesson 1 Philippine Ballet
Access and Process
Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the
15th century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has the elements of
choreography and music for a ballet production. Philippine ballet based their stories on Philippine folk
tales as well as epics from neighboring countries. Lola Basyang and Rama Hari are examples of popular
Philippine ballets.
A. Lola Basyang
The ballet, based on Ang Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang by Severino Reyes, consists of three new stories
namely, Ang Palasyo ng mga Duwende, Labindalawang Masasayang Prinsesa, and Anting-Anting. Each
features original choreography and Filipino music.
Labindalawang Masasayang Prinsesa is a romantic fairytale that features a princess who marries for
love. Ang Palasyo ng mga Duwende is an adventure fantasy where good triumphs over evil. Whereas,
Anting-Anting is a horror story with parts that are “very light and comedic” about how an amulet can
give someone special powers.
Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang is highly praised for its use of playful costumes and set designs. Costume
designers Ron Alfonso and Boni Juan used household items like spoons, laundry clips, puzzle tiles, and
hand-sewn rags to adorn the characters. The set design by Mel Bernardo is similarly inventive, as it folds,
unfolds, rolls on wheel, and uses ladders, slides, platforms, and boxes. Director Phil Noble allows his
actors to jump and slide through the set that transforms from castle to house, or even a river. The ballet
was meant to rekindle and instill the interest of the Filipino youth in the beauty, richness, and heritage
of Philippine literature.
B. Rama Hari
Based on the Indian epic Ramayana, the two-act music, dance, and drama is a story of courage, magic,
and humor.
The story revolves around Rama, the avatar—an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu—and his wife Sita.
They are banished from their kingdom for 14 years, plotted by the mother of one of Rama’s four
brothers to keep him from becoming the next king.
The ballet musical Rama Hari reminds us of our Asian values and talent in the arts that is characteristic
to Filipinos. It also celebrates the beauty of Filipino music with songs such as Tagistis ng Ulan, Iisang
Tibok, and Awit ng Pagsinta
LESSON 2 Philippine Opera

Philippine opera started during the middle part of the 19th century when foreign performers
and opera singers came to the country to entertain Filipino audiences.
An opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text
(libretto) and musical score, in a theatrical setting. In an opera, lines are sung instead of being spoken.
Completing the elements of an opera are acting, scenery, costumes, and sometimes dance. The
performances are performed in an opera house, cultural center, theaters, and auditoriums. It is usually
accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble. Popular themes of opera include romance,
deceit, murder, vendetta, or other elements of human frailty.
The opera did not only serve as a form of entertainment for Filipinos, but also as an avenue for
the honing and developing of Filipino musical skills, through their exposure and occasional participation
as musicians in these opera productions.
By early 20th century, the Philippines was able to produce its first opera entitled, Sangdugong
Panaguinip. It was composed by Ladislao Bonus who is dubbed as the “Father of Philippine Opera.” The
one-act opera has five scenes based on the Spanish libretto, La Alianza Soñada by Pedro Paterno. It was
translated into Tagalog by novelist and dramatist, Roman G. Reyes. One of the melodies of the opera
was Sampaguita (La Flor de Manila), a popular melody of the period, which was composed by Paterno’s
sister, Dolores. The libretto was also translated into English as The Dream Alliance by Col. Walter H.
Loving, founder of the Philippine Constabulary Band.
 The Philippines boasts of this world-class art form which showcases Filipinos’ natural talent and
creativity.
Famous Philippine Operas
A. La Loba Negra
La Loba Negra (The Black She-Wolf) is a three-act opera where the first two acts are about
history. The third act was based on Father José Burgos of the three martyred priests. La Loba Negra is
also one of the novels that greatly influenced Dr. Jose Rizal’s ideals. It is actually a “subversive”
melodrama. The music was composed by Francisco Feliciano and the libretto was made by Fides
Cuyugan Asensio.
gan Asensio. The story of La Loba Negra takes place during the 17th century during the Spanish
rule in the Philippines. It revolves around the tragic assassination of Spanish Governor-General
Bustamante, whose administration was greatly admired for his planned reforms. It also focuses on the
bitter reaction and planned vendetta (revenge) by his wife Doña Luisa on the religious perpetrators who
were corrupt and abusive.
B. Noli Me Tangere
Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) is a three-act opera and billed as the first Filipino opera
composed in the Western operatic tradition. The opera is based on the novel of the same title by the
Philippine nationalist and doctor, José Rizal. He was inspired by Uncle Tom’s Cabin to write about the
inequities in Filipino society. With a Latin title, it explores the oppression of the local people by priests
and the government during the era of Spanish colonization.
The plot follows Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra, a young Filipino who returns home after studying in
Europe. After his father dies, Juan dreams of setting up a local school in his memory. The various plot
twists include Crisóstomo’s love affair with the sweet Maria Clara; his rage at the unexpected
exhumation of his father’s body from its grave; an altercation with a cruel Spanish priest called Padre
Damaso; and Crisóstomo’s eventual murder by the guardia civil.
The sprawling opera also involves the Filipino woman, Sisa and her two children, Basilio and
Crispin.
Noli Me Tangere was composed into operas by Felipe Padilla De Leon and was re-staged with
the music of Ryan Cayabyab.
C. El Filibusterismo
The opera, El Filibusterismo, was composed by the National Artist Felipe Padilla De Leon in 1970,
with libretto by Anthony Morli. It was in three acts and written in Tagalog. Its alternate title is The Reign
of Greed, which is about an unseen dark force, a force that is so powerful that it controls even the
characters’ trivial actions and choices, often leading to nothing but tragic endings. This unseen and
destructive force is greed.
El Filibusterismo tells of the continuing struggle of the Filipino people to achieve freedom and
emancipation from colonial rule. It reflects the prevailing state of Philippine government and society
that has become corrupt and immoral. For which, a revolution was being seen as the only solution for
change. It was also perceived as a warning from Rizal, that although he favored a peaceful way of
instituting reforms, the seemingly hopeless situation to achieve this method points at armed rebellion in
order to gain independence.
In El Filbusterismo, Crisóstomo Ibarra returns to San Diego, disguising himself as the rich
jeweler, Don Simoun. He seeks revenge against the people responsible for his misfortunes. He plans to
start a revolution, convinces the youth and masses to take arms, and ultimately, rescue his immortal
beloved from the confines of the convent.
It is the intention of this production to reconstruct the face of greed as painted by the great Jose
Rizal in this novel and to resonate Rizal’s definition of greed as the key evil that chains and enslaves the
mind, heart, and soul of a society away from the real path towards genuine freedom.

Lesson 3 Philippine Musical Play

The Philippines has a number of musical plays which the country can truly be proud of. With the musical
talent and creativity of the Filipinos, these plays really deserve recognition and are worth immortalizing
in song and dance.
Philippine musical plays are highly influenced by Broadway and West End. They are usually adapted
from novels, literary works, and biographical sketches of famous artists.
Some examples of famous Philippine musical plays are Atang, Katy! The Musical, Andres Bonifacio,
Florante at Laura, and Magsimula Ka!

A. Atang
Atang is a musical play written by Floy Quintos, original score and arrangement by Von de
Guzman, and directed by Alexander Cortez. It is based on the life of Atang de la Rama, the Philippine’s
first superstar. Set in 1987, her main dilemma is to protect the sanctity and legacy of her own myth
against the encroachments of the modern world and mass media.
Atang tries to mould Gia, a rising movie star but realizes that the film’s demands may distort,
deflect, and glamorize events which she knows to be life’s mysteries. In short, here is a character that is
truly unapologetic and uncompromising about her. In the face of so much artifice, Atang relies on the
knowledge that reality (of the heart, of love, of one’s fleeting fame) is the greatest mystery of all.
Like other great artists, Atang refuses to explain herself to the world (such as her seemingly
controversial relationship with famous and infamous men, from Gen. Artemio Ricarte to Ka Amado
Hernandez). At 84, she claims: why start over simply because of newfound public adulation? Her
memories are enough. She need not rage against the dying of the light; she has basked in it long enough.
B. Katy! The Musical
Katy is a highly-publicized stage musical based on the life of Katy de la Cruz, who was considered
the “Queen of Philippine Vaudeville and Jazz.” Katy was the highest paid entertainer in the country. She
survived the Japanese occupation of the Second World War, a philandering husband who nursed both a
sick liver and a family out of wedlock, and the advent of movies and television. She was even a
renowned performer in San Francisco, USA.
It is a two-act musical play where Katy, already old, visits the theater where she used to perform in her
heyday and learned that it will be closed down, suddenly memories of her past flashed back. The play’s
music was written by Ryan Cayabyab and the story and libretto was created by Jose Javier Reyes.
Katy! The Musical evokes her era not only through costumes, music, and narrative, but also in its
highly mannered delivery. Its aesthetic sensibilities—be they humor, song, dialogue, or moral
perspective—reflect the play’s bygone era.
C. Andres Bonifacio
Andres Bonifacio: Ang Dakilang Anak-Pawis is a musical by Jerry A. Dadap, written in 1980. The
libretto is written by Dionisio R. Salazar, a Palanca Award-winning playwright, and leading poet Rogelio
G. Mangahas. This is a five-act musical play whose main objective is to inspire the audience to live a life
of sacrifice. Bonifacio’s extreme love for the country made him sacrifice his own life. Such love is the
noblest kind of love; it is not personal, but selfless and munificent.
D. Florante at Laura
Florante at Laura, the poem of Francisco Balagtas, is made into a play by Bonifacio Ilagan, under
the direction of Roeder Camañag. It is about warring Moros and Christians and the intertwining lives of a
quartet of star-crossed lovers—Florante and Laura, and Aladin and Flerida. This immortal Filipino love
story uses the theater form of the komedya, complete with majestic marches and grand batalla. It is a
poetic art that examines the nature of justice, truth, and commitment to fairness, made into a theater
production. The script highlights on the many facets of love from the purest to the most damaged. Thus,
we see on stage Florante’s encounters with love − love for knowledge, parental love, brotherly love
(which he shares with his best friend, Menandro), romantic love for Laura (his beloved), and love for
Albania.
E. Magsimula Ka!
Written by Nestor Torre and Gines Tan, Magsimula Ka! was touted as the “first Filipino musical
that works” and was considered “the longest running Filipino musical” during its time. It contains
inspiring and positive messages for the youth. Magsimula Ka! is a story about four friends who have just
graduated from college. They were all excited to embark on their respective dreams. One wants to be a
social worker (Monina), the other wants to be a singer (Mandy), the other one wants to be a writer
(Mario), and the last one wants to be a composer (Miguel). Miguel who came from a wealthy family
really wanted to become a musician but his father wanted him to take over the management of their
business. He joined a song writing contest and his entry was entitled, “Magsimula Ka!” There are many
heart-warming moments among friends and family of Miguel in the play. Adding spice to the musical is
the love story of the household helpers namely: Jograd and Monang, the best friend of Monina (Delia)
who disappeared because of an accident, and a number of beautifully written songs of Gines Tan which
are arranged by Ryan Cayabyab. The story is very refreshing with all the positive moral values imparted
in the musical which are lacking in today’s entertainment scene.
 LEARNING ACTIVITIES

NAME:____________________________________ GRADE AND SECTION: _________________

Activity 1: Research and explain how theatrical elements in a selected part of an opera are combined
with music and media to achieve certain effects. (USE SHORT BOND PAPER)

Activity 2: Research on how an idea or story is presented in ballet by watching a live performance or
video excerpt. (USE SHORT BOND PAPER)

POST ASSESSMENT:
Write T in the space provided if the statement is true and F if it is not.
_________ 1. Philippine opera started during the middle part of the 17th century.
_________ 2. An opera is an art form where singers and musicians perform a dramatic work
combining text and musical score in a theatrical setting.
_________ 3. In an opera, lines are sung instead of being spoken.
_________ 4. The first Filipino opera was entitled Isang Milyong Panaguinip.
_________ 5. Ladislao Bonus was dubbed as the father of Philippine opera.
_________ 6. The Philippine opera La Loba Negra is a one-act opera about history.
_________ 7. La Loba Negra is one of the novels that influenced Jose Rizal’s ideals.
_________ 8. Noli Me Tangere is a two-act opera.
_________ 9. Noli Me Tangere is based on the novel of the same title by Jose Rizal.
_________ 10. The opera El Filibusterismo was composed by Felipe Padilla de Leon in 1972.
ESSAY
1. Learning about Philippine musical play is interesting because?

2. Learning about Philippine opera is interesting because?