Racy, bustling musical on Ateneo-La Salle feud

Ed Gatchalian, composer-executive producer of the racy, bustling musical inspired by the decades-old Ateneo-La Salle feud, says the rivalry started in the 1930s, and has continued unabated since — to the public's vast amusement. The rivalry is over girls, basketball, girls again, social issues, girls once more, academics, basketball, more girls, the NCAA and later, the UAAP; outside school, it is over business — La Sallites as entrepreneurs, Ateneans as corporate managers — politics and the professions.

But rivalry, Gatchalian adds, can dignify because each wants to outdo the other and both become better. Even excellent. And rivalry can be fun. Graduates of both schools often end up the best of friends.

The unique musical aptly titled “Rivalry” germinated in Gatchalian’s mind five years ago. However, he thought the score would be worth nothing without a director. Songs without action would be boring. So the dyed-in-the-wool Atenean sought out a dyed-in-the-wool La Sallite Jaime del Mundo, outstanding veteran actor-director. Score and script are still unfinished but both men are working on the latter.

Gatchalian’s prime motive is “to expand Filipino theater; to take it where it belongs.” Perhaps even to Broadway in New York, or the West End in London?

There are some 214,000 Ateneo and La Salle alumni; even if “Rivalry” (which opens Jan. 27, 2012 at Meralco Theater) were to be staged everyday for a week, the audience would still be a small percentage of the total alumni. But Gatchalian, who has composed thousands of jingles and, among others, the musical on the Insular Life centennial, is determined to make a dent on Philippine theater.

At this point, La Sallite Joseph R. Atilano, a young authority on popular music, will comment further on “Rivalry”.

The rivalry hits very close to home for me, as I spent years along the corridors and inside the classrooms of De La Salle Zobel. Watching this ensemble of talented, seasoned and passionate performers donning the green and blue varsity jackets representing their respective schools, reminded me so much of that time. The Insular Life auditorium filled with notable and respected alumni from both schools showed the importance of the press conference and sneak preview. “Rivalry” is the first musical of its kind with its unique theme and bold vision. Never has there been a musical about two of the most famous and elite schools in our country. I agree with Ed Gatchalian explaining and reminding us how the feud has really affected every aspect of our lives, in sports or academics; even in our social, business and family ties.

Ed Gatchalian has a vision and I quote: “To make a statement on what Philippine theater is all about” — not just for Ateneans and La Sallites but to lift up Philippine theater and help our great performers gain the further recognition they really deserve. This musical will doubtless leave a mark in everyone’s mind. It’s going to be not only fun and entertaining, but also thought-provoking as we are all affected by this feud.

The musical revolves around two families staunchly blue-blooded on the one hand and green-blooded on the other. Their sons are interestingly enough both star basketball players of Ateneo and La Salle. Despite their affiliations to rival teams, the cousins are the best of friends. The closeness, however, does not hold true for the cousins’ fathers.

This is where the twists and turns of the musical come into play in what is so uniquely “Filipino” — seemingly innocuous and petty issues as school loyalties can seep into the families’ fiber and social structures and even extend to their personal and professional lives. How do school loyalties influence and lead La Sallites and Ateneans to be constantly competing against each other – to outdo, outshine, outperform the other — thus nurturing in self the desire to excel and succeed in every endeavor undertaken? In this head-on competition, what sensibilities and sensitivities are awakened and refined in the Ateneans and La Sallites in their common pursuit of excellence and success? With the same spirit of competitiveness running in their veins, is there not an unspoken recognition and acknowledgment of each camp’s worth perceived as a perennial threat to the other as the “better one”? Although grudgingly and sullenly bestowed, does not one hold the other in such high esteem that “sa gipitan”, Ateneans and La Sallites will come together, close ranks and support each other? I know this is most evident and the reality of it is most hilarious, too, when either Ateneo or La Salle faces off any other team in the basketball tournaments!

All of the above – and more – will be touched on in “RIVALRY: Ateneo-La Salle. The Musical.” Let’s see Ateneans and La Sallites come together, close ranks and support each other in this collaborative event.