Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
Division of Zambales
SUBIC NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Mangan-Vaca, Subic, Zambales

REACTION PAPER

ON

HISTORYA: THE

STORY
 OF OUR HISTORY

Submitted by:
Submitted To:
Noemi Contreras
Ana L. Viado
10-Newton
Subject teacher

I. INTRODUCTION
According to Oxford dictionary, history is the study of past events,
particularly in human affairs. It has a big role in our society. It is very important for us that
we know the story of our history. The Historya production visits us to help refresh our minds
and go back to the past. They are very talented and they use their talent as an instrument for
us to be aware. But the question is, who are the people behind this production? 
The Historya Production came from Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Almost all of them are already graduate. They have their mission and vision. Their mission
is to help Filipinos hark back their roots as people and link their historical past with the
concrete manifestations of their artistic heritage. While their vision: Philippine history
becomes alive to people aware, knowledgeable and appreciative of it. Some of the casts are,
Lance Lumen, Joseph Alvarez, Kylee Delos Santos, Rey Esteban Reyes, Lloyd Hardy
Fagarangan, Steven Tamio and Niña Maratas.
There are so many good feedbacks about them. It's worth it! The price of the ticket
isn't bad because still, there are a lot of students who afford to buy. The production continues
to travel to perform, showcase their talents and to tell about the past.
II. SUMMARY/ HIGHLIGHTS
Historya dance production is a story about our history,wherein through dance they
express, tell what did the colonizers did to our country,how they influence us,how did they
change us and many more.In here we can see our different cultures and dances in our
beloved country.
There are many different colonizers who came in the Philippines to invade us.The
Spanish Era were in Ferdinand Magellan set out from Spain in 1519 with a fleet of 5 ships
(Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria, and Santiago). On March 16, 1521 Magellan
discovered the island of Homonhon, Samar. The Spaniards reigned over the Philippines for 3
centuries and the life of the Filipinos became miserable, extortion,discrimina-
tion,exploitation,slavery and suffering.Behind their crucial reigned they establish San
Agustin Church,it is the 1st religious structure in the island of Luzon.In March 31,1521 the
first mass in the Philippines was conducted led by Fr. Pedro Valdemar, Queen Juana and
Rajah Humabon.Spanish missionaries found that fiesta is a convinient tool to help teach
Filipino.In July 7,1892 KKK was formed in Calle Azcaraga Tondo,Manila.Then Dr. Jose
Rizal wrote his two novels the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which make the
Filipino's minds to realize the brutality of the colonizers.In December 30,1896 Jose Rizal
was executed in Bagumbayan.Because of the bravery of the different heroes in June 12,1898
the Philippine Independence was declared.Here comes the American,they presented their
different famous dances.They brought a group of 500 American teachers in the Philippines
they are called "the Thomasites".December 7,1941 Japan open a surprise attacked on Pearl
Harbor,A.U.S military base.Yamashita treasure,it is the name given to the alleged war loot
stolen in Southeast Asia by the Japanese forces.The Japanese are to crucial, they made
women as a comforter,they captured,dragged out of their houses,abused and raped them.In
the year 1942 death march happened in Bataan,were in the prisoners are forced to marched
with the intent to kill,brutalize,weaken them along the way.
After what happened to our country for the past years,we had already move on and
made it as our inspiration to become a developing country.There are three archipelagos in
our country,Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao.First is Luzon,their different cultures and
dances.Cordillera administrative Region,home to numerous indigenous tribes collectively
called the Igorot,they also have a Mambunong wherein she performs rituals near the dead
body.Cordilleras love hunting,ragragsakan,idudu and harvesting crops.There are different
dances in Luzon like Carinosa,La Jota Dance,Maglalatik,Tinikling,Sayaw sa Banko.They
perform Harana,wherein men introduced themselves wooed women by singing underneath
her window at night.Another is Pista sa Nayon,it is a one-day festival celebrating the very
best of being a Filipino.Next archipelago is Visayas,it consist of several islands.The
Pintados,they are the indigenous people with tattoed bodies.In here they are more on
festival,this are some example of their famous festivals;Baragatan festival,Sinulog festival in
Cebu,Ati-atihan festival in Aklan,Sandugo festival in Bohol,Dinagyang festival in
IloIlo,Tugob festival in Ormoc,Masskara festival in Bacolod and Aswang festival.Last is
Mindanao,where there are good possibilities to explore the tropical rainforest.First mosque
have been built,established in Sulu by Makhdum Karim.Islam,is the oldest recorded
monotheistic religion in the Philippines.From the historya it tells what is the origin of
Mindanao and the legend of Durian.Moro Insurgency was very famous in Mindanao.Datu is
the title for their chieftains and singkil is their famous dance.They performe well and did a
great job.We must not only preserve yesterday's heritage,fight for today's ephemeral
interests,but die,if need be,for tomorrow's hopes.
Archipelago of Luzon
Last October 13,2015 at the UC theater,we had watched Historya Dance
Production,wherein I would like to highlight CAR.
 So what is CAR?.Cordillera Administrative Region is part of Luzon ,it contains many
beautiful tourist spots.CAR is the home to numerous indigenous tribes collectively called the
"Igorot".Igorots,they are the descendants of the original inhabitants of in the area who
managed to resist the Spaniards and American colonization. They were able to retain most of
their customs and traditions until now. This people in Cordillera are known previously for a
practice of headhunting. The word Igorot is indigenous Filipino word means "Mountaineer"
or People from Mountains".Mambunong,believed to be empowered by Adikaila for
counseling, healing, interpreting signs, and performing rituals.Cordillerans love hunting,it is
a part of their culture,it seems like they are so powerful when they hunt many animals.They
perform "Ragragsakan"it is a dance wherein womens balance loads of clay pots or baskets
on their head.Cordillerans are famous through their native dances and dresses.
Culture is our identity and personality.It gives us spiritual,intellectual and emotional
distinction from others,so you should be proud of it.!!
http://camphenryaleen.blogspot.com/2015/10/historya-dance-productionthe-story-of.html?
m=1)
III. REACTION
We are so lucky that we are chosen to witness the performance of the team under
Historya Production. Before the presentation begins, everyone was too excited to watch. I
can see the smile on their faces. The eagerness to learn history is there. It's really worth to
watch. We have fun and learn at the same time.
When we think of history, we expect that it's boring. But after watching their play, I
realized that it isn't boring at all. The idea was good because they've found a way on how to
tell the history without getting bored. The acts of the performers are realistic. The facial
expressions are superb. The props and costumes are so colorful. The background music
matches with the scenario being showed. I saw them also practicing their dance a minute
before the performance. They are really happy on what they're doing. They exerted a lot of
effort especially those people behind the scenes.
 As we grow, we should not forget the story of our history. Yes, past is past but the
past have been part of our lives. We should know how the things happened before. We, as a
person should be aware not just about the present or future but also with the past that leads
us now in the present.