CEBU, Philippines — Cebuano Theater is the theater arts of the Cebuano people, conducted in their very own Cebuano language. The contemporary version of the local theater arts differ from that of its past both in material and production style. While in the past local theater productions were mainly reliant on ‘invitations’ from interested communities, the local stage plays in contemporary times are often produced on a pre-set schedule and rely on ticket sales.
Of the several names that characterize contemporary Cebuano Theater, Allan Jayme Rabaya stood out as a class of his own. For one, his Cebuano plays used what he called “street Cebuano,” the language spoken and understood by the greatest number of Cebuanos. “Street Cebuano,” as Rabaya expressed it, is neither too formal nor too ordinary – but rather is widely popular.
Rabaya staged mostly original Cebuano plays – on stage and television – that he himself wrote. Often, these would have original theme songs, his own compositions that were also in Cebuano. Rabaya wrote the screenplays for hit Tagalog movies – like “Kampus,” “Mahal Kong Taksil,” “Coed,” “Nasa Lupa ang Langit at Impiyerno” etc. His winning composition at the First Cebu Popular Music Festival, “Kausa Nabasa Ang Tubig,” has since become a big hit, outlasting the other winners.
Those who know Allan Jayme Rabaya are one in saying he was a rare talent. For sure, Rabaya’s legacy in Cebuano Theater will live in the next generations of local theater talents. And his works a continuing inspiration.