One of the most striking aspects of a performance is the layer of stories that wreathe its delivery, each unfolding in unexpected ways. This variety extended not only to the themes but also to the spaces where the art came alive. On the second day of IPAG's 47th Theater Season, the audience was treated to a bold, immersive experience that transformed an ordinary hallway into a living, breathing stage. Held in the SET Hallway at Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), the performance defied expectations, drawing the crowd into a world where the boundaries of the theater were redefined. The walls of the hallway became part of the story, leaving the audience eager to see what would happen next.
Several actors opened the play, captivating even those unfamiliar with performance art. Each emotion, gesture, and word was a work of art as they seamlessly picked up on each other’s cues, leaving the audience to expect the unexpected. The play’s twists and turns surprised both the audience and the performers, who wove their roles together without a script to them.
From a notable audience member, Amado Guinto came the praise: ‘This was genius!’ The performers relied solely on each other’s feelings, which, to him, made the play even more magical. He noted that the space allowed for that kind of interaction; intimate yet familiar to others. Indeed, isn’t it even more enchanting when an unexpected space transforms into a theater? Truly, it’s undeniable.
Throughout their seven seat-rattling performances, starting from “Pag Sure Mo Diha?!” where the masses were confronted with their own words, pointedly aimed at them, berating them for their judgment and perhaps revealing a bit of truth that, ‘we're all a little mad sometimes’—it felt like Mad Hatter and Alice were being reenacted on the streets.
A soap opera-like drama from "Pananghid" then enters the scene with a mother desperately holding onto her daughter who is about to leave the nest. "Ayaw Kuya" explored the complexities of a toxic relationship, featuring two men navigating conflicting feelings. "Asa ang Kwarta" exposed the harsh realities of poverty and violence, following a single mother and her two sons struggling to survive. "Buto-Buto" offered a comedic take on misunderstandings between a police officer and a drug user, featuring the memorable character Shabowockeez. "Writer" delved into the chaotic nature of creativity, culminating in a notebook and a pen that brought order to the chaos. Finally, "Ipag o Ako" provides a poignant conclusion, exploring the dreams and aspirations of a young girl and the tragic reality of her fate.
Each performance left a mark on those who set all their senses to the stage. Before it started, those in the crowd like Ms. Brejette Cometa initially thought the story would only follow a single flow about the two actors roaming around pre-show. But, she was surprised to find that their performance consisted of multiple acts, each packed with different problems. The scene from "Pananghid" was particularly impactful, touching her deeply.
As the curtain falls and the actors remove their masks, the crowd dissipates and the music slowly fades. The performance concludes, but the impact lingers. Jan Pagarigan, the artistic consultant, offers insights into the play's title, "Panag Hisgot." He explains that art is a process, beginning with "Kamulo" (starting) and culminating in "Panag-Hisgot" (dialogues). Pagarigan also shares his vision for the event's impact on the community. He believes that art is often confined to a frame and aims to challenge this notion. Through the enframing process, he hopes to expose MSU-IIT students to the power of performance art, even if they are not traditionally interested in theater. His goal is for everyone to experience the transformative nature of performance art.
Adriana Ysabelle M. Arimang, a third-year Bachelor in Physical Education student, shared her thoughts on the performance. When asked about her experience, she happily replied, “It was very successful, a lot of people were entertained.” Additionally, some of the students were truly captivated by her ‘crazy’ acting, demonstrating significant improvement in her acting skills. Philip Labide, a second-year BA Sociology student, and her partner on stage faced challenges during the second day of preparation, revealing how he carried out the performance despite the challenge. "The characterization was much harder because it was impromptu."
This night has opened the masses' eyes to what theater is and where it should be. With the venue in a somewhat ‘unlikely’ place like a simple hallway. This has stirred the idea that theater, or better yet, art, is not just limited to being showcased on a stage but everywhere— as these stories often outlive the halls where they were made.
The message of their stories resonates with their audience, despite being a long time since they performed in front of MSU-IIT students, as Amado Guinto said, "For the longest time we haven't seen productions of IPAG here. Thus, we have new images and new metaphors, pointing to that key message of taking new directions in their own path." Such to say, enframing has been a success so far for the group, as they reinvent themselves, breaking free from what was thought of and most remarkably, using tradition to innovate art itself.
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