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)