CAVITE CITY, Cavite – A once-in-a-lifetime art experience awaits elementary and high school students, as well as the general viewing public, as the Artists Playground, Inc.’s (API) musicale, which was dubbed “Tigmamanukin: At Ang Chever, Chenelyn, Chuvaness ng mga Diyos ng Literaturang Pilipino”, takes center stage on December 7 and 9.
Based on a play written in Spanish by National Hero and great literary artist Dr. Jose Rizal, “El Consejos Dioses” (The Council of the Gods), this stage adaptation is where “the power of literature is experienced, the function of visual arts and design in the general aesthetics of storytelling is featured, plus the affective qualities of music, dance and movements through creative staging,” API managing director, Jose Jeffrey Camañag, who also wrote and directed the musicale, said Tuesday.
Camañag said that according to Philippine folklore, “Tigmamanukin”, also known as “Tigmamanukan”, is a bird of omen, while “chever, chenelyn and chuvaness” are gay lingo for “whatever, other things and effects.”
The musicale is set on a fictional place called “Paraisong Kayumanggi”, which is part of the heavens called “Kaluwalhatian”, where the deities of the old literary world of the Philippines reside, he said.
Camañag noted that since these deities and other creatures of Philippine folklore are in danger of being forgotten by today’s youth, he came up with a play that would expose the audience to the greatness of Philippine literature.
He said the show has light storytelling, funny scenes, magical songs, and entertaining dances that would build interest among the youth and encourage them to enjoy the beauty of the classic stories written by Filipino literary artists.
Camañag, his brother, Roeder, who evolved from being a pop singer to an award-winning stage actor, and other daring professional artists banded together “to explore new aesthetics and new avenues that will improve the public perception on the role of art in the lives of every Filipino.”
API was founded “in the belief that Arts and Entertainment go beyond the joys of aesthetics but more of a celebration or a festivity that celebrates human experience and showcase life,” he said.
Moving onwards, Camañag said, the group sees itself creating more projects and activities, anchored on bravery, creativity, passion, integrity and humility, as they reflect, celebrate and explore the bravery of every Filipino.
The group, he said, also intends to provide a venue for collaborative environment for artists and provide a context where the process of making art can be explored, tested and developed.
As part of its mission, the group also aims to establish a development model of community, school- and church-based arts and performance organization for replication in other neighborhood and for national population with full process, methodology and production manuals.
“Tigmamanukin” is topbilled by AP’s project director Paul Jake Paule, and will be shown in Cinema 3 of SM Bacoor.
For inquiries, Artist Playground may be reached through mobile phone number, 09952344585. (Gladys Pino/PNA)
