Jaehwa Bernardo

Stage performance of 'Higit sa Pag-ibig: The Musical.' Photo by JC Frogtography/Colar Justine

Article (news)

Bicol regional theater shines spotlight on overlooked stories

Winkie Bernaldez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765353772851934cc978-f9da-40f6-938e-539fa8ed1c70.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Stage performance of &#x27;Higit sa Pag-ibig: The Musical.&#x27; Photo by JC Frogtography/Colar Justine"/>Stage performance of &#x27;Higit sa Pag-ibig: The Musical.&#x27; Photo by JC Frogtography/Colar Justine</div>Theater plays are becoming a powerful space for stories that rarely make it to mainstream screens. For groups like Sining Banwa in the Bicol region, the stage has become a home for narratives rooted in community life, local struggles, and cultural identity — stories that speak directly to the people who live them.Julie DM Bega, senior member of Sining Banwa and part of the Taragbo Bikol Theater Network, said the local theater scene has grown significantly in recent years. “Sa ngayon, masasabi ko na yumabong na ito at pakonti-konting nakikilala at binabalikan,” she saidFor Bega, regional theater stands out because its content reflects lived experiences. Using the local dialect also deepens the connection to the Bicolanos. “May mga dula din na mas mabilis maiparating sa audience dahil sa dialect. May connection ang mga dulang mother tongue ang ginamit na dialect,” Bega said. Founded in 2011, Sining Banwa has helped spark growth by staging plays rooted in Bicol identity and by launching festivals like Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon and the PedXing Kolab Series. These have opened more spaces for artists to tackle topics that are often sidelined: taboo issues, social conflicts, and stories from everyday people.Meanwhile, The Taragbo Bicol Network, a theater network links community groups, schools, and independent artists through conferences and resource-sharing. “May shared responsibility sa mga susunod na ganap sa teatro,” Bega said.But limited funding, lack of venues and insufficient support from local institutions remain as challenges. “Maliit ang budget at nag-aagawan ang maraming creatives. Wala pa ring espasyo para sa pagtatanghal,” Bega said.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176535381785037c86de7-fe9d-4658-a63c-a77d15c46b22.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Scene from &#x27;Higit sa Pag-big: The Musical&#x27;. Photo by Zachary Oliver Gonzales</div>Despite this, theater communities continue to resonate. One standout is &quot;Higit sa Pag-ibig: The Musical,&quot; a show that sparked conversations on national issues and proved that Bicolano theater can make noise beyond the region.For Sining Banwa apprentice Gio Alfonso Vega, regional theater opened his eyes to stories rarely explored in mainstream entertainment. “Sa mainstream media, hindi natin madalas makita ang kwento ng jeepney driver,” he said.Vega said theater allows them to freely explore themes they could not easily push in more commercial platforms, such as corruption, activism and discrimination.But reaching audiences remained difficult. “Hindi kami Broadway musicals or big productions. Pero palaging may ipinaglalaban,” Vega said.Still, both artists believe regional theater is moving toward wider recognition. More collaborations and productions, and stronger community involvement show a growing appetite for stories grounded in local truth.“Malayo pa, pero may nasisimulan na,” Bega said. “Sana mabigyan ng suporta ang creatives para mas maraming kwento ang maipamalas para sa Bikol.”

Theater plays in the regions are becoming a powerful space for stories that rarely make it to mainstream screens.

Theater plays in the regions are becoming a powerful space for stories that rarely make it to mainstream screens.