The many faces of Andres Bonifacio

Next to Jose Rizal, the Na- tional Hero Filipinos should be honoring is Andres Bonifa- cio. But perhaps, because he was a warrior, un- like Rizal whose storied writings in Spanish, English and Filipino was known all over the world, Boni- facio preferred to keep his other interests to his close associates. There are those, however, who have maintained interest in Boni- facio and have made him their own personal hero in books, film, theater and television. On the occasion of his sesquicenten- nial birth on Nov. 30, we have put together some of these celebrations to his heroism and genius.

The most ambi-tious of all these is the Filipino historical docu- drama Katipu- nan coming from GMA Network with Sid Lucero as Andres Boni- facio and Glaiza de Castro as his wife Gregoria

de Jesus, also known as Oryang. An eight-part mini-series that broadcasts every Saturday night at 10:15, it cov- ers the history of the Katipunan — from Bonifacio’s foundation of the party, his mastery of war strategy, the discovery by the Spaniards, the truth behind the intrigues and infighting, the dagdag-bawas dur- ing the selection of either Emilio Aguinaldo or Bonifacio to head the Katipunan to the murder of the Bonifacio brothers. Others in the cast are Nico Antonio as Emilio Aguinaldo, Roi Vinzon as Padre Villalon, Benjamin Alves, Domi- nic Roco, Jill Palencia, Kuya Manzano and Mercedes Cabral. The series is well-rehearsed and acted, and should be made available in DVD for schools and students of history.

As the newly-chosen artistic direc- tor of Gantimpala Theater (after the death of founder Tony Espejo), Joel Lamangan together with Jun Pablo direct the musical version of Katipu- nan: Mga Anak ng Bayan by Bonifacio Ilagan, with music by RJ Jimenez and lyrics by Ilagan and Jeffrey Camañag. Cast is Sandino Martin as Bonifacio, with Anna Fegi and Rita de Guzman alternating as Oryang. The musical will be shown at the AFP Theater, Nov. 20 to 22; Bonifacio High Street Open Field, Nov. 29; Taguig University, Nov. 30; and Cavite Montano Hall, Dec. 7.

Meanwhile, Tanghalang Pilipino stages San Andres B the Opera, with music by Chino Toledo, libretto by National Artist Virgilio Almario, direction by Floy Quintos, with tenor Dondi Ong as Bonifacio and soprano Margarita Rocco as Oryang. Staging is on Nov. 29 to Dec. 8 at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

At the Dulaang UP, Guerrero The- ater, Diliman, Tim Dacanay’s Teatro Porvenir: Ang Katangi-Tanging Kasay- sayan ni Andres Bonifacio, Macario Sakay at Aurelio Tolentino sa Entablado will highlight Bonifacio as an artist. Alex Cortez who directs the production said that it is a re-imagining of the history of the Katipunan through myth, lit- erature, history and religion. Romnick Sarmenta and Russell Legaspi alter- nate as Bonifacio. Jean Javier, Karen Guerlan and Emerald Bañares alter- nate as Oryang. Playdates are on Nov. 20 to Dec. 8.

As a final hurrah to the forgotten hero that is Bonifacio, we would like to suggest a re-showing of the late Mario O’Hara’s Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio also as a tribute to this director who had left us too soon. Paglilitis is a historical film shown at Cinemalaya’s Director’s Showcase. Mario believed that Bonifacio, played by Alfred Vargas, was a laborer but one who knew how to deal with people and was a successful leader. Aguinaldo, who came from a rich fam- ily, was also a very good strategist. To- gether, they made an interesting study of how past friends in the establishment of the Katipunan secret rebel party could not help but part in the end. Cast includes Danielle Castaño as Oryang, Miles Canapi as Ibon Adarna, Lance Raymundo as Aguinaldo, Ian Palma as General Pio del Pilar.

Mario utilizes Bonifacio’s background as a moro-moro actor as a means of pre- determining his end. In this dramatic form, the moro or Muslim will always lose to the Christian conqueror. When one thinks of it that way, it does make sense. But then, only a Mario O’Hara would have the temerity and the bril- liance of thinking of it that way.

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