Ang Bagong Harana dares to be different

Critics and friends were raving about Ang Bagong Harana when it opened last year, and again when it returned for a second run last July at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati City. It also played at The Luce Auditorium of Silliman, Dumaguete last June. Now on its third run at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, Ang Bagong Harana, I would say, is a must-see theater experience.

Ang Bagong Harana’s premise (Original Pilipino music from all historical periods strung together to form musical suites) is an old one but one that remains relevant and “cool.” This reminds me of my years at the old Manila Metropolitan Theater with Tita Conching Sunico, and the string of musical revues Maalaala Mo Kaya?, Dahil Sa Iyo and Sarunggbanggi that she produced, where I, as an impertinent wanna-be actor and as an overzealous publicist, was tasked to create the buzz. I remember the valiant efforts of Tribung Pinoy to keep the memory of past music alive. Aside from the happy coincidence that Ang Bagong Harana is directed by my dear friend from the MET (Metropolitan Theater), the brilliant Floy Quintos, I guess a part of my own attachment to Ang Bagong Harana has to do with my own personal nostalgia.

But what really makes Ang Bagong Harana so interesting for me is that the show dares to be different (and if it doesn’t, it isn’t Floy directing it). It makes statements about being a Filipino in an entertaining, thoroughly engaging manner. Friends who watched the first and second runs attest that the suites and the songs flowed seamlessly through simple but heartfelt images of kinship, family, class difference, unrequited love, changing manners and morals, even some critical social commentary. Karla Gutierrez of the Philippine Opera Company (POC) says that 90 percent of the show is dance and music and the messages are delivered with a light and lyrical touch. Only at the end, as the cast recites our Panatang Makabayan, do people find themselves reaching for Kleenex to wipe away the tears. At the end, everyone always comes away greatly moved and is left with a feeling that there is so much more to do for this country. How many times does entertainment allow you to feel this?

The performers are all young Filipinos. All classically-trained voices (singers of the Philippine Opera Company), as well as the dancers (Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, which recently celebrated its 40th year). I think that the cast of young people is the show’s biggest artistic statement. It tells the audience that there are young people who are bravely making their own efforts to preserve our music as well as re-define old songs for their own generation. The cast, I am told, has changed little over the three runs. This time, Philippine Opera Company’s Karla, who is both the executive producer as well as a performer in the show, says that the original cast made up of Lawrence Jatayna, Nazer Salcedo, Marvin Gayramon, Al Gatmaitan, Karla, Twinkle Prietos, Janine Santos, Marian Santiago and Charley Magalit, will be joined by Arlynne Tecson and Noel Rayos.

Karla also says that a new suite has been added, one that drew inspiration from the recent floods and other natural disasters. Aside from saying that it is a suite dedicated to the environment, she wants to keep the new number a surprise. I have no doubt that the new material will make Ang Bagong Harana richer and more vibrant.

Ang Bagong Harana still carries the original repertoire which showcases the best works of noted Filipino composers from different music genres — Nicanor Abelardo, Ryan Cayabyab, Willy Cruz, Francisco Santiago, Antonio Molina, Resti Umali, George Canseco, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, Jose Estrella, Constancio De Guzman and Felipe de Leon, to name a few.

“At the end of every show,” says Karla, “just before we serenade the audience, I always tell them to ‘love our own, support our own.’ With POC’s Ang Bagong Harana, we have a reminder that there is so much to discover and love about our own culture.

Ang Bagong Harana returns on Oct. 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28 at 8 p.m. and on Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza.

Ang Bagong Harana is presented by the Yuchengco Group of Companies, 96.3 Easy Rock, Media Pool, Aseanbiztimes, Kingsmen, Filscap, Stores Specialists, Inc., Vibal Publishing and Robinsons Residences.

(For tickets, call Philippine Opera Company at 0917-5272880 or 822-9609 or TicketWorld at 891-9999.)