Push Admin

How one woman keeps 'kao ka' alive in the Philippines

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/04/04/still_19.jpg"/></figure></div>In one of the Taoist temples in Manila thrives a group fanning the embers of the once-famous &quot;kao ka&quot; cultural performance.A Taoist feast day is not complete without the kao ka. It is performed to entertain the gods, in hopes to gain their favor and protection.The four existing kao ka troupes in the Philippines are all based in Manila, the most active being the Hoc Kian Chinese Opera Group helmed by 66-year-old Teresita Lim or Chan Bee Hua.With a kao ka star as an adoptive mother, it was not unthinkable that Bee Hua herself was drawn to the art, and fortunately, opportunities were not difficult to come by when she was just starting out at age 16.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/04/04/still_09.jpg"/></figure></div>But years went by and the demand for kao ka dwindled during the 70s. The decline worsened in the decade that followed, recalled Lim, when kidnap-for-ransom cases became prevalent and filmed Kao Ka performances from Taiwan offered Chinese-Filipinos a way to be entertained from the comforts of their homes.&quot;Pagka magde-deboto, pupunta lang sila, mag-aalay. After nu&#x27;n wala na, kaniya-kaniya na lang sila ng lakad, iiwan na lang kami, bahala na kami du&#x27;n,&quot; she said.&quot;Wala na kasi maraming audience na nawawala ba sa mundo. &#x27;Yung iba naman, pagkatandaan, &#x27;pag matanda na umuwi na sa China,&quot; she added.Lim herself once wanted to leave the troupe and pursue opportunities elsewhere--opportunities that would have allowed her to finance her children&#x27;s studies.In 1997, she was all set to fly to Taiwan to be a caretaker, but a chance for her to lead her own kao ka group knocked alongside.Although she admitted that the money from working abroad would help their family, she also feared that being absent from her children&#x27;s lives would cause them to go astray.&quot;Iniisip ko kung ito naman pipiliin ko, masusubaybayan ko sila, kaya lang, masaklap...Nag-isip ko ngayon kung ano &#x27;yung isasakripisyo ko, ang sinakripisyo ko &#x27;yung anak ko. &#x27;Yun, kinuha ko ito,&quot; she said.Five decades later, Lim gathered a new generation of performers but there too came a threat to her life when she was diagnosed with goiter.She was advised against having it operated and was also ordered to prevent exposure to pollution. She also asked about the possibility of performing kao ka, but the doctor prohibited her for the meantime.Desperate and hopeless, Lim prayed to Tian To Guan, the Chinese deity believed to be the Master of Performers.&quot;Sabi ko sa kaniya, nawawala na &#x27;yung kao ka. Kasi kapag nawala na kaming second generation, wala na. Ilan na lang kaming natira [na] second generation,&quot; she recalled.&quot;Kung bubuhayin mo ako, bubuhayin ko &#x27;yung kao ka. &#x27;Yun nilaan ko ang buhay ko sa kanya. Since nu&#x27;n bigla na lang, bigla, within 30 days na-recover ako,&quot; she added.Lim&#x27;s resolve to dedicate her life to kao ka grew stronger for she knows she cannot just leave her troupe behind.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/04/04/still_24.jpg"/></figure></div>At present, the group is composed entirely of Filipino members of no Chinese descent, but she welcomes anyone willing to learn kao ka under her wings.Everyone underwent strenuous training under Lim herself, memorizing lines by syllable and intonation without actually knowing their meaning, and she admitted that this generation of performers still has much to learn.&quot;Kaya kapag sa simula ng project nila, ang ganda. Sa second time, medya medya. &#x27;Pag third time, wala na. Kasi depends na sila e, &#x27;Ay kabisado ko na &#x27;yan&#x27;. Dun sila nagkakamali,&quot; she said.&quot;Kasi &#x27;pag natuto na, malaki na ang ulo, namamaga. &#x27;Yun tinatanggal ko &#x27;yun,&quot; she added.It has been nearly two decades since Lim started leading her own group, and she believes it is now up to the younger generation of performers to ensure that the tradition of kao ka will continue to thrive.&quot;Nasa kanila &#x27;yun, sinabi ko na sa kanila. Sinabi ko &#x27;pag nawala ako, babagsak din itong grupo kung hindi niyo hahawakan ng mabuti. Gusto ko mawala man ako, kahit papa’no, kayanin nila,&quot; she said.&quot;So, sa ngayon dapat nandito pa ako, ipakita nila &#x27;yung concern nila. Hindi ko kailangan na panilbihan niyo ako, o magsipsip kayo o ano, hindi ko kailangan &#x27;yun. &#x27;Yung malasakit, &#x27;yun lang ang kailangan ko sa kanila,&quot; she added.

In one of the Taoist temples in Manila thrives a group fanning the embers of the once-famous "kao ka" cultural performance.

In one of the Taoist temples in Manila thrives a group fanning the embers of the once-famous "kao ka" cultural performance.