Articles - Ang Bagong Harana, a Philippine musical.

Just came back from the Carlos P. Romulo auditorium in RCBC in Makati, Manila, from watching Ang Bagong Harana, a play by the Philippines Opera Company.

Well it’s not an opera as you could first think. It’s a musical. Not a Broadway style musical, a Philippine style musical. What’s that? It’s a journey thru Philippine history thru songs and dances.

They sing in Tagalog, the official Philippine language, and talk in English and Tagalog as well sometimes.

Very interesting for a Spanish-Philippine actor and singer as me, specially because I’m in the Philippines looking for my roots.

Got to see ancient ritual dances and costumes, an interesting courting dance on a bench and emotional nationalistic songs towards the end. The history of the Philippines is quite dramatic, so I got really touched hearing their passionate voices with all the different kinds of flags this country has used.

Performers: Karla Gutierrez, Charley Magalit, Janine Santos, Aizel Prietos, Marian Santiago, Lawrence Jatayna, Jack Salud, Nazer Salcedo, Marvin Gayramon and Al Gatmaitan.

Ang Bagong Harana will have a re-run on June 6 to 9 at 8 p.m. with matinees at 3:30 p.m. on June 9 and 10 at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

For Filipinos by Filipinos. They will soon tour the country and some other Asian countries as well.