Atang for the iPod generation

“Is Atang a real person?”

That was a college student’s query before watching Dulaang UP’s latest musical production, Atang, depicting the life of National Artist Honorata “Atang” de la Rama, queen of Philippine kundiman and zarzuela. The play had 15 performances at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater in UP Diliman.

Today’s YouTube and iPod generation doesn’t know who Atang is. In fact, the said music genres where Atang made a name for herself are also alien to young people, who have been inundated by the pop music craze.

Thanks to Floy Quintos’ latest musical, Atang becomes appreciated by a whole new generation of viewers and music lovers. The musical, Atang, officially launched the College of Arts and Letters-sponsored sarsuwela festival in UP Diliman, in celebration of the centennial of the university.

“Atang is a play of memory, simple and accessible,” said director Alexander Cortez. Floy’s latest work combines past and present through the characters of Atang, waxing nostalgic about her past, and the fictional character Gia Almonte, a superstar studying the life and times of the artist in preparation for a film. In the process, Gia imbibes Atang’s legendary life and career.

Even if the musical required a period setting — from the ’20s to the pre-war era — Atang made use of a witty script with hilarious one-liners that made even the young audience identify with the characters. The flashback allowed viewers to reminisce Atang’s life — as a zarzuela superstar, vaudeville artist and labor leader’s wife.

The play also introduced the audience to the men in Atang’s life — from General Artemio Ricarte to Atang’s husband Ka Amado Hernandez, himself a national artist for literature.

Atang marked the return to theater of its lead star, Ayen Munji-Laurel, who traces her humble beginnings to Dulaang UP, where she earlier worked with writer Floy Quintos and Prof. Alex Cortez. Ayen undoubtedly lent her stellar appeal to the role and gave justice to her character.

Floy and Alex are no strangers to Ayen. Floy worked with Ayen in her first theater play, Lives and flew to Brunei to direct live shows and other productions there when Ayen was still living in the palace. Alex, meanwhile, was Ayen’s theater arts professor at UP.

Ayen was the perfect choice to play Atang. Her theater-trained, mellifluous voice was best suited for the musical. It would have been probably different if a pop artist was chosen for the role. Ayen was in her element, consistently composed and confident of her every move, dialogue, blocking and song number.

As director, Prof. Cortez was all praise for Ayen’s professionalism and hard work to play Atang. “She is the the perfect choice (to play Atang),” Prof. Cortez noted. “She is very focused and serious. She gives her all in front of her audience.”

There were scenes in Atang that brought the audience to laughter and tears. The songs, meanwhile, brought the characters to life. The production made use of existing pieces identified with Atang which were interspersed into her life story.

Ayen got to render Atang’s well-loved kundimans like Paki-Usap, Nasaan Ka Irog, Madaling Araw, Nabasag ang Banga from Dalagang Bukid and Masayang Dalaga from Ang Kiri. There was the beautiful paean to love, Kitang Dalawa, a duet between Atang and Ka Amado that made you experience their pain, passion and intimacy. The crowd also appreciated Pilipinas Kong Mahal, which has become a patriotic anthem.

What brought the house down was Atang’s showdown with Katy de la Cruz (played by Bituin Escalante) in the popular novelty numbers Magkano ang Bibingka Mo? and Mamang Gusting. Bituin only had one shining moment in the entire play, but her scene was marked and unforgettable.

Frances Makil, who played the old Atang, was commendable and amusing in delivering those hilarious one-liners. Teroy Guzman as Ka Amado also turned in a heartfelt performance.

The night I watched Atang was celebrity studded. In the audience were KC Concepcion, Cherie Gil, Fanny Serrano and Gigi Posadas, among others. Of course, Ayen’s hubby, Franco Laurel, was there brandishing a high-speed digital camera and documenting every part, every move and everyone.