Director’s Note

MABUHAY!

On July 4, 2016 various victims of martial law under the Marcos dictatorship attended the regular rehearsals at our studio to watch the run of “Katips: Ang mga Bagong Katipunero,” a musical on the martial law regime in live rock. The play has intrigued members of the group, Claimants 1081 (the beneficiaries of the class suit filed against the Marcoses that was decided in the U.S., in favor of the martial law victims), after some of them had chanced upon certain postings about the same stage drama in several social media networks.

To the surprise of the Stagers, many of them cried as all of them shared their gruesome and painful experiences during that dark era of Philippine history; thus, giving the performers sufficient source and more inspiration for characterization and story development. Katips grows in many ways.

As for me, after researching and writing the play, I realized some compelling insights that I would like also to share: First, freedom is not a gift that is freely given; it is a prize that should be relentlessly fought for, and if had, should be continuously nurtured.

Second, it is not right to lose trust in the Filipino spirit because I have seen, although not personally but through research, the courage and nationalism of our forefathers that could translate into the possibility of awakening the seeming indifference of the present generation, the so-called “millennials,” if once again pushed to the wall.

Third, I am given the rare opportunity to do what the immediate five presidents of the republic have failed: to educate the youth about the evils and horrors of Marcos’s martial law not through the tedious and costly correction of our textbooks, but by utilizing the arts, a medium which I am at home in. Indeed, freedom provides Life’s wherewithal and is best enjoyed with the attendant responsibility and accountability.

            To quote the loved and beloved Elizabeth Barrett Browning: ”What is genius but the power of expressing a new individuality?”

            This enormous effort is made possible because of the unyielding spirit of the men and women behind the Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF), in taking up my Trojan thoughts and unconventional ways, if only to prove my profound love for theater. I therefore thank all of them and many others whose presence has touched us and whom we have also touched in return.

            My fervent wish is that the love and work ethic which all of us have shared as Family and colleagues would manifest at the sacred stage on which we perform, and would be warmly felt by all of you, our dear audience.

            Enjoy the experience then, even as we embrace a sad reality that turned into a triumph of our people, in disposing a dictator.

            Again, Mabuhay!

Atty. Vincent M. Tañada

President and Artistic Director

Philippine Stagers Foundation

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