With the submission of nominations for the Order of the National Artists closing last June 30, I’m looking forward to knowing who will be included in the next batch of Filipino artists to receive the highest national recognition that the Philippine government bestows upon individuals.
Jointly administered by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the ONAA is given to Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the country.
The awardees must have achieved artistic accomplishment at the highest level, with works that promote creative expression and become tools in the development of the Philippine national cultural identity. Most often, these are exemplary individuals who have dedicated their lives to forging new paths and directions for future generations of Filipino artists.
This week, from July 5 to 7, the CCP Out-Of-The-Box Series Season 2 kicks off with a new play that mines the works of three National Artists, titled Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon?
The full-length play, written by Jose Victor Torres and directed by CCP Artistic Director Dennis N. Marasigan, examines Filipino identity through the years. The Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company will bring to life the different characters.
In the play, Torres interweaves the works of National Artists Alejandro Roces, F. Sionil Jose, and Eddie Romero, who all celebrate their birth centenaries this year. He draws elements from Roces’ We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers, a story focusing on Filipino drinking habits, and Jose’s Po-on, part of the Rosales Saga novels depicting a tenant family’s flight from Spanish oppression in Ilocos to Pangasinan, and Romero’s Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon.
Referencing these works while reshaping them, the playwright has crafted an out-of-the-box production that re-imagines the journey of Kulas, the central character in Romero’s 1976 film, against the backdrop of overlapping Spanish and American occupations and the Hukbalahap movement.
Searching for identity
At first glance, these three works tell different stories, written in distinct styles. On closer examination, they share a timeline and central theme, exploring and questioning the Filipino identity.
“What defines a Filipino? If we are saying we are all Filipinos, why are we fighting each other in the name of the Philippines?” said Marasigan.
For Torres, the play examines identity from various angles. “Through this production, we bring the concept of identity beyond the usual context – accepting our identity as Filipinos in different scenarios. When discussing heroism, we often focus on the Katipunan and the Philippine Revolution. But what about the American war, the Hukbalahap movement? No matter how we condemn them as communists, they are still Filipino,” said Torres.
Rather than using prominent figures like Bonifacio, Mabini, and Rizal to discuss the Katipunan and the revolution, the play employs relatable characters drawn from the works of Jose, Roces, and Romero to paint a holistic picture and examine historical accounts.
Staging unconventional works
Through its unconventional programming, the CCP Out-Of-The-Box Series for 2024 aims to shine a light on National Artists and reintroduce their works to new generations of audiences.
Marasigan hopes the play will ignite curiosity and spark a genuine interest in the works of Philippine National Artists.
“We often hear the names of National Artists mentioned at events, yet many are unfamiliar with their works, their contributions, and why they received the highest honors given to Filipino artists. As the CCP Cine Icons screens cinematic masterpieces by our National Artists, the OOTB Series aims to highlight other National Artists and their works,” Marasigan emphasized.
Catch the CCP Out-of-the-Box Series: Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? on July 5 at 7:00 p.m., and on July 6 and July 7 at 3:00 p.m., at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater), located at the CCP Complex along Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Tickets are priced at P1500.