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| Atty Vince Tanada |
After last year's "Juan Luna: Isang Sarswela" based on the life and times of the Pinoy painter and activist famously known for his work "Spoliarium," Philippine Stagers Foundation marks its 25th anniversary with a production on another Filipino widely recognized as a national hero: Andres Bonifacio.
Titled "Bonifacio Ang Supremo Isang Musikal," it premiered at St Scholastica's College in Manila few days ago, followed by a nationwide tour till April 2026.
During curtain call, writer, director, actor and lawyer Vince Tanada explained why PhilStagers, which he founded, opts to do original works, particularly those on Filipino national heroes.
"It's my passion to utilize the arts, to educate our young people about our history, the riches of our culture, our tradition and our self-identity," he began.
Vince pointed that while other local theater companies adapt or import productions from Broadway or West End, his has been creating their own from the start.
Who would have known that years later, and now more than ever, that creative decision would turn out to be an advocacy.
"Now that they have removed Philippine history in the basic education curriculum, my only weapon is my art to teach our young learners about history," he said.
Philippine Star reported on the matter few years ago.
"Since the shift to the K to 12 curriculum in 2013, a standalone course on Philippine History has been removed from secondary education and is now only taught at the elementary level (Grades 5 and 6) and college (Readings in Philippine History)," read part of an article by the publication.
Vince said on the matter: "Ang masakit po, pinagbabawal po ang ganitong klase ng mga pagtatanghal sa mga paaralan."
He doesn't agree with this, pointing out that education should not be confined to the four walls of the classroom.
"We need something like this (musical)," he stressed. "Ang sabi nga, yun daw pong pag-aaralan ng isang semester ay sinummarize namin ng dalawang oras..."
Musicals such as "Juan Luna" and "Bonifacio Supremo" are not just lessons in history.
"Napatunayan po natin ang ating kalakasan at kapangyatihan bilang Pilipino," Vince said of such works. "(Na) hindi po kailangan mawalan ng pagasa, sapagkat nabuhay po at naglakad sa sariling mundo ang mga tulad ni (Jose) Rizal at Bonifacio na nagpamalas ng labis na pag-ibig sa bayan."
That by knowing their stories, "maari po natin silang idolohin at gayahin" in our own ways, through our own means.
"Kung nais po nating baguhin ang bayan, kaanib po ang sining."
"Napatunayan po natin ang ating kalakasan at kapangyatihan bilang Pilipino," Vince said of such works. "(Na) hindi po kailangan mawalan ng pagasa, sapagkat nabuhay po at naglakad sa sariling mundo ang mga tulad ni (Jose) Rizal at Bonifacio na nagpamalas ng labis na pag-ibig sa bayan."
That by knowing their stories, "maari po natin silang idolohin at gayahin" in our own ways, through our own means.
"Kung nais po nating baguhin ang bayan, kaanib po ang sining."
#PhilippineStagersFoundation
#VinceTanada
#AndresBonifacio
#AngSupremo
#BonifacioAngSupremoIsangMusikal
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