Iloilo Sarswela revisited
Cynthia Patag sings "Iloilo ang
Banwa ko"
Zarzuela or Sarswela is a popular musical theater form from Spain. It has been the major source of entertainment long before the advent of television and radio.
Last May 30, 2006, the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage and Conservation Council (ICCHCC) headed by Architect Antonio Sangrador brought back to life the long-forgotten form of entertainment through the “Iloilo Sarswela Revisited.” Guests and locals gathered at the Jaro Plaza Covered Gym to witness the one-of-a-kind journey to the past.
Stella Marie Arungaya as
"Trining"
Numerous scenes were given life. Elizalde Rafol, a 4th year Theology seminarian at St. Joseph Regional Seminary, portrayed the character of Pascual in the “Cailo ang ginikanan nag subong sang cay Meliton”. Excerpts from the scenes of “Hinigugmang Pamatan-on” and “Pag-andam, Pag-andam” were delivered by Kerwin Luntao, an English tutor at the CNC Language Center. In “Diin na kamo Guinicanan nag wala'y Palad?”, WVRAA 2006 Grand Winner Danielle Ramburger played the role of Nating. On the other hand, another St. Joseph seminarian Nathaniel Gentison awed the audiences with his performance on “O Langit nga tamud sining akon Kalisud.” Likewise, “Mabuhing Bansagon ta ang Sultan”, “Awat Lang” and “Hinigugma Ko” were well applauded with the excellent portrayal of UNO Productions' Stella Marie Arungayan, who played the role of Darwina, and Hopevale's lead performer Jesse Peñacerrada, who played as the Sultan.
Nathaniel Gentison as
"Alfredo"
Stella Marie Arungayan, who was a part of the 2001 staging of Madame Butterfly, gracefully assumed the character of a dancer named Trining in “Aco ang Masinadyahon”. Elizalde Rafol in the character of Bandu onced again entertained the audience with the comical “Mabudlay, mabudlay matuod ang mangin bungol”. University of the Philippines-Visayas' Jesusa Libutaque, who appeared in a theater production's of Alice Tan Gonzales' sarswela “Pinustahan nga Gugma” graced the stage as Tya Maring in “Sang ako pa Bataon”.
Popular singer Jose Mari Chan huddles
with Mayor Jerry P. Treñas before the
start of the program.
Towards the end of the show, the then Palibhasa Lalaki's Ilongga mainstay Cynthia Patag led the popular “Iloilo ang Banwa Ko”. IDC's Heather Joanne Larraga-Maloto served as a narrator for that night's event.
The success of “Iloilo Sarswela Revisited” was made possible through the efforts of individuals like Joseph William Albania, who acted as the Artistic Director; TAGUPCI's Alfredo Diaz as Stage Director; University of San Agustin Choir and Troubadours' Director Arne Lubasan for its Musical Direction; Dr. Ma. Cecelia Locsin-Nava for the script; Dagyaw Theater Dance Company Stage Manager Ronie Frank Jamantoc for the Technical Direction; Alan Cabalfin for Set Design; and Nonoy Mosquera for the make-up.
The “Iloilo Sarswela Revisited” was supported by the Iloilo City Government headed by Mayor Jerry Treñas, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Filipinas Heritage Festival Inc, Iloilo Heritage Society, Center for West Visayan Studies-UP in the Visayas, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Archdiocese of Jaro, Center for Culture and the Arts-University of San Agustin, Association of Barangay Captains of Jaro, Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo, Philippine National Police-Region 6, West Visayas State University College of PESCAR, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, UPV-BIDANI and PXL Multimedia Production.