The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in partnership with Liceo de Cagayan University and Pasundayag Community Arts, is implementing the project “Pagpasundayag sa Sinaunang Baybayin”. This is a series of activities from a workshop facilitated by Emil Yap, an expert on Sinaunang Baybayin, the ancient Filipino writing famously known as Alibata.
(BaiBayin or Baybayi, from the root word “Baybay” or BaiBai”, which means spelling or tracing, is a system or way of writing of our Filipino ancestors. Sinaunang Baybayin, however, is not based on the Doctrina Christiana that was spread by our colonizers.)
The show entitled “Baybayin” (Shore in English) is a mélange of multi-art disciplines based on the research on Sinaunang Baybayin. It is a collaboration of work by local Kagay-anon artists: CdeO Arts Guild’s Michael Bacol; Next Moves’ Arnie Jumao-as and Feliz Ugalde, with their choreographer Roger Odron; Dulaang Atenista current members JC Salon, Angelo Dabbay, Franz Lacson, and Dan David Tan; Dulaang Atenista alumni Alvin Adaza, Ethyl Malachico, and Dr. Reynards A. Tan. The show also features Denise “Honey” Mordeno Aguilar, who conceptualized the project. Aguilar is the current artistic director of Pasundayag Community Arts, which was founded by Mozart A.T. Pastrano in 1997. The production’s soundscape design is by veteran Kagay-anon musician Drue Dahongpalay. Stage manager is Ritche Riveral of Race Entertainment.
With the theme “Exploring the Past Through Sinaunang Baybayin and Creating a Future Using It for Performance”, the show will be staged on Oct 7, 2016 at Liceo de Cagayan University’s Rodelsa Hall. Show times are 3pm (matinee) and 8pm (gala).
Performances to watch out for include the group’s version of the Creation Story; the introduction of the two major Sinaunang Baybayin scripts expressed in an ensemble performance; the individual identities of the artists involved and their body articulation of the Baybayin; the theatrical utterance of the games, contrasting difference between the children before, and the generation of children today. “Baybayin” is not only a show, but a learning experience for the audience as well.
In addition to the show, there will also be an ongoing exhibit based on Sinaunang Baybayin by the Liceo Tripod Art Group and Kagay-anon visual artists. The exhibit will be held at Liceo U’s Capricho Art Café.
Those who are interested to witness and become a part of this momentous cultural event may reserve their tickets by calling 63977-402 0050, 63917-774 1749, or 63916-785 2804. Tickets are very affordable at Php100.00. For more information, check out the “Pagpasundayag sa Sinaunang Baybayin” event page on Facebook.
See you at Rodelsa Hall!
(Info from press release provided by organizers.)