Triumph of the spirit in deeply moving play / UP-IC, Sinag Tala events

"The Miracle Worker", a play William Gibson based on the life of the blind-deaf-mute Helen Keller, drew audiences to the FEU auditorium and the Fr. James Reuter theater.

Many are familiar with the story of Helen Keller yet it bears repeating for a deeper appreciation of the drama, and of its direction and interpretation as well.

Having lost her sight and hearing at 19 months, Helen Keller has no way of relating to the world, and of learning how to speak. Her parents, Capt. Keller and his wife Kate, the help of the Perkins Institute which sent Anne Sullivan to assist Helen. Anne herself was blind at one time, a circumstance which enables her to better understand Helen’s handicap.

Film clips impart an added dimension to the grave responsibility of Anne who, with brother Jimmie, played with rats for want of toys in the institution they grew up. Further, the film clips show the misery Jimmie had gone through in an asylum, Anne having failed to prevent his confinement therein.

Brilliantly portrayed by Farida Kabayao, Anne is depressed, frustrated, confused and hounded by bitter memories as she arrives in the Keller residence where she meets Helen, portrayed by Richelle Dollosa, and her parents Capt. Keller and his wife Kate.

Helen is an uncontrollable seven-year-old, given to outbursts of temper. The daily tug-of-war, the battle of wills between Anne and Helen reach a bristling tension and excitement, with anxiety consistently building up in the spectator who asks himself at each abrasive scene, "Will Anne succeed in subduing Helen this time?"

Early on, Capt. Keller vigorously objects to the manner Anne is handling Helen. But Anne is resolutely and staunchly determined to teach Helen language, to help her distinguish objects and to identify them by name by spelling each out on Helen’s hand. Helen’s parents see the wisdom in Anne’s ways as she finally succeeds in opening a vast, new world to Helen.

The enactment of the scenes, as directed by Joan Paulette Libo-on, was smooth and fast-paced. Farida as Anne, the miracle worker, expressed profound, turbulent emotions, moving the audience with her unwavering desire to reach out to Helen. Richelle Dollosa a "natural" as Helen, was utterly convincing prowling about, grabbing everything along the way, while fiercely struggling against her iron-willed teacher. Incidentally, the background music provided by Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise, as suggested by Gilopez Kabayao, enriched and enhanced the scenes as it quietly dramatized the inner thoughts and feelings of both Anne and Helen.

Jon Jainga as Capt. Keller, the skeptical and recalcitrant father, and Dora Jane Balleras as the resilient, sympathetic mother Kate, engaged in credible relationships. Teddy Tan Jr. was likewise credible as the misunderstood son James. (Vocal coaching would have lowered his voice to a more comfortable decibel as it tended to grate on the ear.)

Secondary roles were assumed by Deanna Hortillosa as Aunt Ev and Jessica Mogate as Martha, Helen’s playmate.

The Gilopez Kabayao Foundation presentation – a worthy theatrical contribution from Iloilo – had Corazon Pineda Kabayao as executive producer.

The projection of the documentary film on Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan was an excellent idea. It inspired the audience even more, depicting in real life the infinite, indeed, superhuman patience of Anne and the glorious triumph of Helen over dauntingly insurmountable obstacles.

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A renewal of the memorandum of agreement between the University of the Philippines and the Instituto Cervantes de Manila will take place on Sept. 23 at the UP Faculty Center, Diliman, QC.

Speeches will be delivered by Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz, Instituto Cervantes Director Dr. Javier Galvan, UP President Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman and Dr. Sergio S. Cao, UP Chancellor. The welcome address will be given by Dr. Daisy P. Lopez, chair, UP Department of European Languages.

Dr. Galvan and Dr. Cao will sign the memorandum of agreement. Serving as emcee will be Gloria M. Ventanilla Diaz.

Dance numbers will be performed by Francisco and Ana Cristina Montillano (mambo), Ricky Cos and Alicia de la Cruz (tango) and Jameela Perez (flamenco).

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Martin Lopez, executive director of Sinag Tala, has announced the remaining performing arts events for 2005 and early 2006.

On Sunday, Sept. 25, guitarist, composer and founder of the Kasilag Guitar Quartet Perf de Castro will give a homecoming concert with a chamber orchestra. To be rendered are Rodrigo’s Concerto de Arnajuez and pieces for solo guitar, some of which will receive their Philippine premieres, including works by De Castro.

On Sunday, Oct. 22, pianist Peter Porticos and tenor Randy Gilongco, both internationally trained and now faculty members of the UST Conservatory of Music, will interpret Eastern European composers including Liszt, Georii Sviridov’s Russia Cast Adrift will be given its Philippine premier.

On Dec. 18, the blind pianist-tenor and former prodigy Carlos "Chuckie" Ibay will interpret Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor, with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra assisting. Selected songs, including Christmas carols, will also be rendered.

The above will be the annual Christmas Concert for Ang Arko ng Pilipinas, home of mentally and physically challenged children.

On Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, "The Sopranos 2" will feature three Fil-Chinese-Canadian sopranos Grace Chan, Joanna Go and Jennifer Uy assisted by a chamber orchestra in an evening of operatic arias, Broadway tunes and Filipino kundimans.

Sinag Tala is an organization that "discovers and promotes Filipino shining stars in classical, choral and ethnic music. It is always in search of what is the best in Philippine culture and the arts, and through concerts, recordings and innovative performances, Sinag Tala aims to reach as wide an audience as possible."