[b]

Before the term “Philippine Theater” exists, Filipinos call it as Philippine Dramatic Tradition. According to
theater and culture scholar Doreen Fernandez, the Philippine dramatic tradition has its roots in the
rituals and ceremonies of precolonial Filipinos. The way they performed offerings to their gods and held
communal celebrations were already dramatic performances.

As the word Theater entered our vocabulary, it is a way in showing the struggles of society and standing
up for a cause. That is why during the years of colonization and martial law, theater began to evolve and
played a big role for Filipinos to showcase and stand up for our freedom.

[J]

The first national artist for theater is Honorata “Atang” de la Rama. She was a singer and bodabil
performer who became the first Filipina film actress. In 1987, former president Corazon c. Aquino
declared her as a national artist for theater and music. She battled for the supremacy of the kundiman
when the country was still under American rule. Atang also popularized the song “mutya ng pasig” by
Deogracias Rosario and Nicanor Abelardo. She has also been a theatrical producer, writer and talent
manager. Atang believed that art should be for everyone; not only did she perform in major Manila
theaters such as the Teatro Libertad and the Teatro Zorilla, but also in cockpits and open plazas in Luzon,
the Visayas, and Mindanao. She even starred in the following zarzuelas, Marina, Mascota, Sueno de Un
Vals and Dalagang Bukid. She was also a producer and writer of plays such as Anak ni Eba, Aking Ina and
Puri at Buhay. Atang has been crowned as the Queen of Kundiman and of the Sarsuela in 1979 as she
began her career at the age of 7.

[J]

Next is Salvador Floro Bernal. He earned the award of National Artist for Theater and Design in 2003
behind his over 300 productions in art, film and music. Bernal’s style is known for maximizing the use of
raw materials in theater production. He used native Filipino materials such as bamboo, abaca fiber and
the basic gauze cacha. Bernal earned a philosophy degree in 1966 from the Ateneo de Manila University
where he would later teach literature and stage design. He organized the Philippine Association of
Theatre Designers and Technicians (Patdat) in 1995, through which he introduced Philippine theater
design to the world. Also, one of his notable works is the book “Salvador F. Bernal: Designing the Stage”
by Nicanor G. Tiongson. He received several awards, including the CCP Centennial Honors for the Arts,
the Patnubay ng Sining Award and Awit Award for Best Album Package.

[I]

Lamberto Vera Avellana was a prominent Filipino film and theater director. In 1976, Avellana was

named by President Ferdinand Marcos as the first National Artist of the Philippines for Film. From being
a stage actor, Avellana took on the challenge as film director and has directed landmark films. He also
studied at Ateneo de Manila Univeristy. Avellana directed more than 70 films in a career that spanned
six decades. Three of his notable works are Anak Dalita, Badjao, Lapu-Lapu in 1955 and the following.
[PAUSE 3 seconds]
Other awards and recognitions received. Anak Dalita was named as Best Film at the 1956 Asia-Pacific
Film Festival. He was also awarded as Best Director in FAMAS Awards in 1954 and 1965, Lifetime
Achievement Award in 1981 Gawad Urian Awards and Posthumous Award in 1991 MMFF.

[I]

Wilfredo Maria Guerrero was a Filipino playwright, director, teacher and theater artist. He was
distinguished as a National Artist for Philippine Theater in 1997. He wrote outstanding plays which 41 of
those were circulated. Guerrero’s greatest contribution to arts is his introduction of the concept of a
theater campus tour. His plays can be found in various anthologies: 13 Plays (first published in 1947), 8
Other Plays in 1952, 7 More Plays in 1962, 12 New Plays in 1975, My Favorite 11 Plays in 1976, 4 Latest
Plays in 1980, and Retribution and eight other selected plays in 1990. He was appointed as Director of
the Dramatic Club at the University of the Philippines despite not having a degree, and he held that
position for sixteen years. He is also the first Filipino to have a theater named after him within his
lifetime: The Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater of the University of the Philippines. Wilfredo Guerrero’s
notable works are the following: No Todo Es Risa, Half an Hour in a Convent, Wanted: A Chaperon,
Forever, Condemned, In Unity, Three Rats, Our Stranger Ways, and The Forsaken House. Aside from
that, the awards and recognitions he received are, Rizal Pro-Patria Award in 1961, Araw ng Maynila
Award in 1969, Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1972, Citizen's Council for Mass Media Trophy
(1966), Balagtas Award (1969).

[B]

To wrap this up, The Philippines has a long and strong dramatic tradition: from precolonial rituals and
ceremonies, to the religious performances brought by Spaniards, and to the outlandish American
vaudeville. From Atang de la Rama's sultry performances to Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero's plays, Filipino
dramatists, and theatrical practitioners and performances were known to be great and passionate artists
in any form and medium. With this great and unwavering passion for the arts, the country has produced
many outstanding dramatists and performers.