The nationalistic sarswela Walang Sugat by Severino Reyes was first staged on June 14, 1902 at the Teatro Libertad in Manila. It was revived in 1970 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines with additional music by Miguel Velarde under the direction of Daisy H. Avellana and starred in by Constantino Bernardez and Ruby Jose-Salazar.
On the big screen, Walang Sugat was made thrice.
In 1913, as a silent movie produced and directed by Albert Yearsly, starring the Gran Compania de la Zarzuela Tagala.
In 1939, Leopoldo Salcedo and Rosa del Rosario starred in Walang Sugat, directed by Enrique Davila and produced by Filippine Films.
In 1957, LVN produced Walang Sugat, directed by Bert Avellana with music by F. Buencamino Jr. The two biggest stars of the ‘50s, Mario Montenegro and Charito Solis topbilled the third version of the film.
It was billed as a ‘Saga of people’s struggle for freedom — written with their own blood!’
Published in this column are still pictures from Walang Sugat. — RKC