Epic musical 'Anak Datu' to showcase rich Moro culture, Jabidah massacre

MANILA, Philippines — Rody Vera's "Anak Datu" will receive the recognition of being the first show to be performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' brand new blackbox theater the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (TIG), but its significance goes beyond that.

The musical is based on National Artist Abdulmari Imao's short story for children of the same name from 1968 which details Moro culture, but Vera expands this story by crossing two other timelines.

First among these is about the son of a village chieftain in Muslim Mindanao during pre-colonial Philippines whose village is raided by pirates and soon learns the truth about his father.

Meshed into this are storylines about the Jabidah massacre of 1968 as seen through the eyes of the event's lone survivor Jibin Arula, portrayed by Tanghalang Pilipino's artistic director Nanding Josef, and about Abdulmari Imao's own life particularly the relationship with his son Toym.

For those unfamiliar with the Jabidah massacre, it was the purported killings of several Moro army recruits, which many historians say sparked the country's Moro insurgency and the subsequent formation of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Philstar.com was able to drop by one of the rehearsal sessions for "Anak Datu" and had the chance to have exclusive interviews with a couple of cast members, including Josef.

Tausug connections in a new space

Josef said that "Anak Datu" was always intended to be part of Tanghalang Pilipino's 36th season, and the company had learned early on during the rehearsal stage that it would be the inaugral play of the TIG.

Because TIG is a blackbox theater, the "stage" is set in the middle, with audiences surrounding the performers, but Josef said that the experimental space was not a hindrance for the play's director Chris Millado.

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"Si Chris mismo worked with a concept na talagang gagalaw nang gagalaw ang performing area," said the veteran actor. "Parang wala masyadong adjustment doon sa konsepto kasi nauna na."

Josef joked that with the TIG being a new space to be tinkered with, the cast had thought Millado would increase the difficulty level of performance; thankfully that wasn't the case.

The actor touched upon "Anak Datu" having a "multiversal" concept, as coined by Millado himself, and how the finished product is very well-connected to Imao's original vision akin to his iconic Sarimanok pieces.

"Abdulmari was a Tausug, Jibin Arula was a Tausug, si Toym ay anak ng Tausug... Napakaganda ng naging connection," Josef said, and went to praise the younger Imao's artistry as Toym is the production designer of "Anak Datu."

"Si Toym ay very progressive, may pagkapareho [siya] to a certain extent sa art ng tatay niya, but Toym is more expressive of what his feelings are, what he sees in society, and kung ano nangyayari."

Josef elaborated further on how Toym's art both differs and mirrors his father's, "Si Abdulmari is more romantic and purist in the sense of images ng Tausug na galing sa puso at utak niya. Si Toym is also very expressive kaya lang... kabataang galit, may fire inside, and he gets disturbed by what he sees."

Even with such an expressive nature, Josef said that Millado allowed Toym to incorporate such emotion into the major elements of the show's production design, even teasing that the finale will reflect both Imaos' works.

A doorway for Moro culture

Sining Kambayoka's Hassanain "Hash" Magarang choreographs and plays Datu Karim in one of the play's three storylines, and the production focusing on Moro culture bears close to his heart as he hails from Marawi and is very much aware of the Bangsamoro struggle.

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"Bihira ka lang makapanood ng plays that tackle Moro culture, especially na mayroong Moro mismo — ako, they invited me for this — so it's a big deal for us," Magarang shared.

In choosing to stage "Anak Datu" and casting him as a lead, Magarang feels the arts scene has given the Moro community a voice to talk about their culture and more importantly their struggles.

"[Pati rin ikuwento] struggles namin as Moros to not really fight for but have our own rights on peace, have our own voices heard kung ano ang kapayapaan para sa amin," the actor added.

The storyline about the Jibin Arula and the Jabidah massacre is a very pivotal moment in history for Magarang, and it plays a huge part in telling his community's culture.

"Kung hindi natin siya aalamin o i-tackle, hindi malalaman ng mundo kung bakit may struggle," Magarang explained. "Up to now they are trying to seek peace in all terms and aspects."

Quest for peace

Josef said the cast gathered to talk about the play's three storylines and what they felt about them, and indeed the common call they want to present is one of peace.

The actor even broke down how their different emotions find common ground, "Napaka-lyrical at romantic ng isang story, 'yung kay Jibin Arula ay expository talaga about what happened noong martial law, at sa Imao family naman ay family-oriented pero may struggle pa rin kung ano ang totoo."

In summary, Josef said the call for peace has pre-requisites — to be truthful and defend the truth, to seek for the good of all, and the underscoring of human rights.

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"Bago tayo makakuha ng kapayapaan, mayroong dapat ibigay — Ano ang totoong nangyayari? Ano ang mabuti sa kapwa?" Josef rhetorically asked, adding that people should admit their wrongdoings and change their ways.

Besides seeking peace, the veteran star said another idea that "Anak Datu" wishes to emphasize is selflessness, "Parang lahat ng problema sa mundo pati sa Pilipinas ay galing sa pagiging makasarili, self-centered, greedy, at corrupt."

"Sa pag-aaral namin ng cultural history, ang mga katutubo ay mabubuting tao, hindi sila sakim. 'Yung mga traits ng mga unang Pilipino na nawala, sana mabuhay ulit natin, baka may pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas if we become more selfless," Josef ended.

Cultural understanding

While Magarang reiterated several times that for years the Moros have long sought peace, he hopes that in watching "Anak Datu," audiences will come away with better cultural understanding and awareness, particularly toward religion.

He said so because the word Bangsamoro is instantly associated with Islam, and with his participation, he hopes to showcase Muslim practices in the best way possible for the better understanding of others.

"When you're having a good conversation about cultural awareness, it will lead to understanding," as Magarang aptly put it.

The actor also said that in seeing "Anak Datu," people may learn that there are situations that can be avoided if we make an effort to look at the past.

"We can learn from history's mistakes. Let's avoid [mistakes] for the future kasi kawawa ang next generation; kung hindi maiintindihan ang nakaraan, ano pa mangyayari sa future?" Magarang ended.

"Anak Datu" will run from September 16 to October 9 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Starring with Josef and Magarang are Tex Ordoñez-De Leon, Carlos Dala, and members of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, under the direction of Millado and music by Chino Toledo.

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