Recently, the historical biopic “Heneral Luna” caught much attention locally and abroad. It was refreshing to see a renewed interest in Filipino history.
At the same time Chris Millado directed Nicanor Tiongson’s play in producing a notable musical, “Mabining Mandirigma” anachronistically set in a quirky steam punkkey which was well received by the audience and critics alike, garnering several Gawad Buhay Awards in 2015.
Both works seek to correlate events of the past to current affairs, espousing principles such as integrity and love of country best exemplified by heroes such as General Luna and Apolinario Mabini, who tried their best to serve a higher purpose by elevating the common good over personal gain and tribal allegiance.
“Mabining Mandirigma” explores the role of Mabini, otherwise known as the Sublime Paralytic, who General Aguinaldo appointed as his Chief Adviser after being impressed by his visionary ideas for the second phase of the Philippine revolution.
His principal works written in 1898, The True Decalogue and The Constitutional Program of the Philippine Republic, were instrumental in drafting the Malolos Constitution. He selflessly served as the Chief Minister when Aguinaldo convened the very first Filipino congress in Malolos, as Intramuros fell into US hands.
Events precipitated when Spain, defeated by the Americans, ceded Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the fledgling new colonial power for a fee, hence the fight for independence was far from over.
Mabini provided the ideological backbone of the Philippines as a nation. Even after he resigned from his Chief Minister post, he continued his battle using his mighty pen to rally Filipinos behind the Aguinaldo government in the pursuit of nationhood and self-government.
This is the historical framework of the musical, the cast all dressed in Victorian inspired garbs, part and parcel of the steam punk sub-genre, with cogs, gears and all. This genre has been embraced by a wider audience owing to Hollywood mainstream productions such as “The Wild Wild West” and “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” as well as Disney’s “Atlantis: The Lost Empire” and Katsuhiro Otomo’s “Steamboy”.
While it is inspired by literary early fantasy and science fiction works such as novels by Mary Shelley, Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, the term “steampunk” was coined in the 1980s. Terry Gilliam’s iconic movie, “Brazil” (1985) with its retro-futuristic look largely influencing its dominant aesthetics.
What an eclectic visual treat that must be! Having heard and read great reviews on its first run, I am quite excited to watch this award winning musical. It will definitely prove to be a thoroughly entertaining history lesson aiming to connect with the youth of today at the same time underscoring the need to rise above individual interest and promote the common good — an idea that never gets old.
The Philippine Italian Association (PIA) in cooperation with the Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation and the Cultural Center of the Philippines is honored to present the Premiere performance slated for Friday, December 2, 2016 at the CCP Little Theater.