Stories that don’t often appear on mainstream screens are finding a tremendous home in theater performances. The theater has become a home for stories rooted in local struggles, cultural identity, and communal life for organizations like Sining Banwa in the Bicol region; these stories communicate directly to the people who live them.
The local theatrical culture has expanded dramatically in recent years, according to Julie DM Bega, a senior member of Sining Banwa and a member of the Taragbo Bikol theatrical Network. “Sa ngayon, masasabi ko na yumabong na ito at pakonti-konting nakikilala at binabalikan,” she remarked.
Bega believes that regional theater is unique because its themes are based on real-life experiences. Additionally, speaking the local tongue strengthens ties to the Bicolanos.
“May mga dula din na mas mabilis maiparating sa audience dahil sa dialect. May connection ang mga dulang mother tongue ang ginamit na dialect,” according to Bega.
Since it was founded in 2011, Sining Banwa has sparked growth through the production of plays with a Bicol identity and the introduction of festivals such as the PedXing Kolab Series and Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon. These have given artists greater opportunities to address subjects that are frequently ignored, such as social disputes, taboo subjects, and first-person accounts.
In the meanwhile, through conferences and resource sharing, the Taragbo Bicol Network, a theatrical network, connects independent artists, schools, and community organizations.
Bega stated, “May shared responsibility sa mga susunod na ganap sa teatro.”
However, there are still issues with inadequate finance, a shortage of venues, and a lack of local institutional backing.
“Maliit ang budget at nag-aagawan ang maraming creatives. Wala pa ring espasyo para sa pagtatanghal,” Bega remarked.
Theater communities are still relevant in spite of this. “Higit sa Pag-ibig: The Musical,” a show that sparked discussions on national concerns and shown that Bicolano theater may have an impact outside of the region, is one notable example.
According to Vega, theater gives them the freedom to freely discuss topics like prejudice, activism, and corruption that are difficult to promote on more commercial platforms.
