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)

TORMEA CHOIR

"TORMEA Choir" of Torrijos. The best singers of the Torrijos Municipal Employees Association under the baton of the multi-talented Jess Briones.

"MARINDUQUE AKIN KA"

"Reunited Choir" of Boac.

"Marinduque Akin Ka"

Titik at Musika: Eli J. Obligacion

Isang paraiso sa gitna ng dagat

Ay muling nabuhay

Sa aking pangarap ngayon

Kahapo'y di mawaglit sa aking isip

Ngayo'y buhay ka't di na panaginip.

Marinduque akin ka

Puso mo'y puso ko

Awit mo'y awit ko di ba

At ngayo'y magkayakap

ang ating damdami'y iisa.

Isang paraiso'ng ilaw sa karimlan

Batis ng pag-asa

Bayan ma'y sadlak sa dusa

Kahapon mo'y may pait, luha at sakit

Ngayo'y nagising diwa'y nagupiling.

Marinduque gising na/akin ka

Puso mo'y puso ko

Awit mo'y awit ko di ba/di baga

At ngayo'y magkayakap

Ang ating damdami'y iisa.

(Repeat Koro)

Ang ating damdami'y iisa

Marinduque akin ka.

"HAPIT HIMIGAN"

"Hapit-Himigan" was a choral competition, one of many activities, held in connection with this year's "Araw ng Marinduque" celebration at the Boac Covered Court. "Marinduque Akin Ka", a song I wrote way back in 1992, as the theme song of "Mara Unduk" was chairman, Fe Corazon Recalde's choice as the contest piece.

For many years now, the said song has been sung by the Provincial Capitol Choir as part of their repertoire when performing for official guests and for out of town performances.

Participating groups were Gasan's "IFI Choral Ensemble" of the Parish of St. Joseph, "Reunited Choir" of Marinduque National High School and Boac North District, "Live Echoes Choir" of St. Mary's College of Marinduque, "Mogpog Municipal Chorale", and "TORMEA" Choir of Torrijos.

Judges were Prof. Norma Soldevilla of Gasan who also notated the contest piece, Dr. Roberto Montellano of Boac, Prof. Anacleto Mendoza of Sta. Cruz, Dindo Asuncion and myself. The "IFI Chorale Ensemble" (shown in photo), garnered the championship trophy, TORMEA choir was 1st runner-up and "Reunited Choir", 2nd runner up. Thanks to Ms. Recalde's efforts, there was a huge audience turn-out with municipal choir fans providing moral support to their entries.