Looking back at Mara Unduk

Marinduque's pre-colonial anitos.

Malindig volcano and Tres Reyes Islands in Marinduque



A burial scene from Mara Unduk













Article from Business World with Teatro Balangaw photo.


"...villages were submerged in mud and sand, bringing havoc and destruction once again."

Mara Unduk performance for the Southern Tagalog Kundiman Fiesta".

Mara Unduk performance at Daupan Festival for the Centennial of Philippine Revolution.


“Teatro Balangaw, Marinduque’s community-based theater group, will present “Mara Unduk”, a dance-drama based on the island’s mythical history as gathered from folklore. The play, first presented by the group three years ago, delivers a clear message: Nature’s violent and deadly acts are brought about by man himself. The theme is considered very timely, in the wake of the mine tailings spillage in Boac river recently, a problem which Marinduque is still recovering from at present.” (Marinduque Cultural Show Today, Manila Bulletin, May 5, 1996)


























“The highlight of the program for the first day, The Story of Mara Unduk, was such a success. If the thundering round of applause could not compensate for the stress and pressure brought about by late night rehearsals, I cannot think of anything else that could. Tatlong bagsak para sa Teatro Balangaw!” (Daupan Festival Newsletter, Sept. 17, 1996)









Culminating performance at the Children and Youth Theater Festival, Fort Santiago





Bahaghari








Jubilation after a performance

















A workshop with his blogger, 2008.


“Akala raw ni Benjie hindi magsisimula ng 7 p.m. ang show kaya almost 9 p.m. na when he decided to bring us back to the town plaza. Only to discover na nagsimula na pala ang Mara Unduk at matatapos na halos. Kaya hindi na nakasama si Jeffrey Santos as the supreme god “Bathala Meikapal”! (Star Nga Ba?, Alfie Lorenzo, People’s Journal, Dec. 11, 1992)

Mara Unduk

Myths and legends are told, retold and re-interpreted. Events, characters and symbols intrinsic to such stories are said to contain certain truths, sparks from the subconscious, that find fufillment in time. This 1992 material, MARA UNDUK that was presented by the Teatro Balangaw group as a dance-drama from Marinduque villages to audiences at Nayong Pilipino and Fort Santiago appear to have come full circle now, as most of the episodes and characters in the story have, it seems, all rendezvoused with their own destiny in the real world. Others just refer to this seeming phenomenon as plain art imitating life again and again...or life imitating art:

In the days of Bathala, when two moons still sailed the sky the earth was inhabited by highly-gifted spirit-people who lived in harmony with all existence. Such incredibly immense powers they had, for they controlled the four elements of Fire, Air, Water and Earth. Over time, however, they became too proud to the point that "Mayana", the Goddess of the Lower Moon, was angered, smashing her lunar abode onto the Earth. This was known as the First Upheaval - that which caused an island to spring from the sea. The few survivors named it "Mara Unduk", sea mountain.

The Earth was left under the care of the gentle Goddess of the Higher moon, "Buwana". A new order was established under the rule of the sorcerer, "Katalona", who dominated the people's lives. But the survivors who have learned to hunt for food have forgotten who they were or where they came from. They had no notion of their destiny.

Strange dreams haunted the people for a long time and, to understand them, a ritual was held one day. The young maiden, "Baylana" was bathed in incense and flower extracts and was put to sleep. In a trance, she spoke with the voice of the spirit protector, "Marindik".

"Alon", a hunter serving as the sorcerer Katalona's apprentice falls in love with Baylana. The relationship ended in a tragedy for the young maiden and for Katalona. For the sorcerer, Alon's mission to chart his people's destiny was loftier and more important than Alon's love for Baylana.

Such lawlessness and disorder descended upon the village that the people lost their sense of hope and direction. Marindik was displeased that she caused her dwelling on the mountaintop to emit burning rocks, and for heaven to weep. The villages were submerged in mud and sand, bringing havoc and destruction once again.

In the midst of it all, Alon finds union with his primeval past, experiences unity with the elemental spirits and with all existence. The enlightened Alon thus becomes whole again - the new TAO - the one to lead his people to their rightful and glorious destiny.

"Ang Kristo, Pasyondula"

Scene from the premiere presentation of "Ang Kristo: Pasyondula", Buenavista, Marinduque, April 12 & 13, 2006.