By Vicente W. Villavert
SAN JOSE, Antique – The province of Antique hosted the “Pista ng Komedya” and was cited by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as the center of “Komedya” for upholding the Filipino theatre tradition.
NCCA chairman Virgilio Almario said “Antique is not only reliving “Komedya” but considered as ‘pugad ng komedya’ dahil ang daming lugar sa Antique na mayroong tropa na nagpapalabas nito at sa pistang ito, pinatutunayan natin na ang Antique ay isang sentro ng komedya.”
The activity was part of the celebration of the national literature month.
He said the first ‘Komedya’ in the country was presented by Spaniards in 1598 in Cebu with scripts written in Spanish.
“After two or three years the play was presented in native language ‘Waray’ staged either in Bohol or Samar,” he added.
Amario noted ‘Komedya’ flourished in Antique with troupes existing in different parts of the province.
The partcipants include Komedya de Baler, Aurora; Komedya ng San Dionisio, Parañaque; Komedya ng Barbaza at Tibiao; and Komedya ng Guinbanga-an and Komedya ng Tigunhao both of Laua-an.
The Pista ng Komedya 2019 was a project of the NCCA in partnership with Sen. Loren Legarda and in cooperation with the provincial government of Antique and Antique integrated area development.
Legarda said the “bigger purpose of this project is to celebrate ‘Komedya’ form as a significant legacy in the continuing history of the Philippine theatre. This is a significant step in promoting and preserving ‘Komedya’ tradition in our province.”
‘Komedya’ is a play in verse, which revolves in social, political and religious conflicts of Christian and Muslim heroes presented with unique kind of drama.
In today’s era ‘Komedya’ is presented with Christians and Muslims standing side-by-side to address certain issues. /PN
