7 types of Theater in the Philippines

1. Epic poetry
Epic Poetry is from the Philippines oldest folk literature dated back during the
pre-colonial period way before the Spaniards came to the Philippines. The usual genre
of Epic poetry is Romance and adventure, usually focusing on the ethnic heroes and
their adventures. It is usually performed in festivals and gatherings like weddings,
baptisms and wakes. Performance in Epic poetry usually last for hours, so singers
perform for hours at a time. One of the most known and popular Epic poetry performed
is Biag ni Lam-ang from the Ilocanos that is still widely performed until today.

2. Duplo
Duplo is a poetical debate that is performed through song and dance. Duplo
originated from the indigenous courtship customs in the Philippines. This was usually
performed by men to court women with the use of proverbs and riddles to impress the
woman of their choice. After a while this declaration of love has turned into a political
debate which was then called as the Balagtasan, which is still widely performed today.

3. Moro-moro
Moros y Cristianos or what we commonly known as Moro-moro is once the most
popular type of theater in the Philippines before. It was also named by the NCAA as the
Moro y Cristiano Street Drama. Moro-moro are performed in streets that last for days
with usual themes of love, vengeance, and religious themes that depict the war between
the Christians and Moors. The religious themes were rooted from crusades and the
Colonization of the Spaniards for 300 years. They always portray the moors or the
Muslim’s as the villains of the story and the Christians are always depicted as the
winners of the war, which is why the endings of the drama are predictable. It is still
performed only in small towns today because of its depictions of intolerance.

4. Senakulo
Senakulo also called as Passion play is a heavy drama that depicts the life
journey and death of Jesus Christ. The Filipino senakulo has become a union between art
and religion. It is a public activity performed during holy week or Lenten season in the
Philippines. It can be performed as a simple street play or what we know as procession
and it could also be performed in a classy and modernized versions. Being part of
Senakulo is not only about the performance but it is also about devotion.
5. Traditional Folk Dance
The Philippines has about thousands of folk dances from different contributions
of cultures around the Philippines. It is one of the oldest types of theater and an
important part of our culture that is still being performed today. The most common and
popular folk dance is the Tinikling that uses bamboo poles that one or more dancer must
step over in between the poles. This folk dance was said to mimic the movement of a
local bird called as tikling. All of the Folk dances in the Philippines have roots from
different traditions and cultures dated from many years ago.

6. Bodabil
The Bodabil or “vaudeville” in America is a type of Theater brought by the
Americans during the pre-war era. It has been localized due to the change of
name. Bodabil are numerous short acts that include musical numbers, comedic
and dramatic skits and songs and dance numbers. A lot of Filipino legends like
Dolphy, Anita Linda and Atang de la Rama have started their careers through
Bodabil. Bodabil is still performed today in what we know as Variety Shows we
see in different local channels in Televsions.

7. Sarsuwela
Sarsuwela is a Philippine theater that has a melodrama genre that is usually in 3
acts. It is performed alternately in spoken and sung words. The Philipine Saruswela was
influenced by the Spanish “zarzuela” during the Spanish colonization. This influence has
also given the Filipino’s a chance to raise and incorporate Nationalistic undertones to
Sarsuwela that has become an important tool to fight against colonization. Due to this a
lot Sarsuwela companies were closed down and Filipino playwrights like Aurelio
Tolentino and Pascual Poblete were arrested for including nationalistic undertones into
the art during the American occupation. It has become an important part of the Philippine
history and culture that it was nominated by the NCAA for the UNESCO Intangible
Cultural Heritage lists in 2011.