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A Glimpse at Davao City's Theater Organizations - Why They Hardly Survive and Thrive

GUEST COLUMN

by Jared Okri

Davao City is undoubtedly a haven of emerging artists. Performing arts groups - whether formed out of friendship or formally established have been sprouting recently. These groups come and go; are able to produce one production or two at most. And, as always, most of these groups and organizations don't see the dawning of another production.

Let's tak about registered theater organizations. A lot of actors are to be considered in giving conclusion to their early demise. Primarily, there is a scare financial backing. Putting up a simple theater production is no easy task. The cost of an average theater production (with hefty performance space rentals and all the technical and manpower requirements) would cost around 80,000.00 Pesos on the average and finding funds for these productions is like pushing a camel through a needle's hole, so to speak.

Another viable reason why it's hard for theater organizations to survive in Davao City is lack of support from the government sector. Speaking from past experiences, a government official would aptly support socio-civic projects than extend generosity to theater play productions. There are few names that can be considered as "patrons of theater plays". Unfortunately, their generosity would be limited to just a single production. After such, they wil bid goodbye to being 'patrons' of the thespians. Hardly do I know of a local performing arts council that nurtures theater organizations. If there's any, please inform me.

Most theater productions, to be able to survive, would rely on sponsorships. Unfortunately, when a local theater organization pitches a proposal for sponsorship, it is easily turned down simply because it's not known or hasn't produced big productions. After this goes back to how can a self-sustaining theater organization produce high-quality productions without financial aid/grant? It is also a sad fact that when national celebrities are brought to the city, almost all of these companies and establishments would go gaga in volunteering to sponsor such events, while our local theater organizations are dying on the side. The harsh reality of discrimination is an almost always on the front when these small local theater organizations are against these big, well-established productions heralding these national celebrities.

Don't these theater productions sell tickets? They do. Unfortunately, the lack of theater play goers to watch and appreciate theater productions is almost always the reason for plummeting ticket sales. Theater productions like plays and musicals are expensive to mount. But prices are kept low allowing public to watch and enjoy these productions, thus affecting the ticket sales revenue. It is also a fact that only a meager percentage of Dabawenyos appreciates theater plays and musicals. It must have come from the fact that art appreciations is not well rooted in our culture. Or shall I say the more dominant performing arts culture flourishing in our city is the ethnic culture, leaving mainstream theater productions as minority.

With all these problems at hand, why are theater organizations pushing it real hard to mount productions? The answer to this question vary from one theater group to another.Some theater companies do it for advocacy while others do it for profit. Voiceworks Theater Company, Inc. (VCTI) - http://www.vtci.weebly.com for one, strives to promote the development of theater and musical theater in Davao City, providing avenue for emerging actors and theater practitioners to hone their craft, with a bigger goal of "inspiring young people to achieve discipline and excellence in life through performing arts. Voiceworks is established not just to teach people how to sing, dance, or act. VCTI envisions to teach everyone to dream, to offer hope, to present opportunities for change, to give direction and lead people to discover their purposes, to encourage a lifestyle of excellence and service, and build a community that is sincerely concerned of the welfare of this country.

Theater organizations like Voiceworks Theater company, Inc. whose aim is for the betterment of the youth and the society needs support in all forms for it to survive and thrive specially during these times of economic crisis. Government and private sectors alike can impact in helping theater organizations to flourish in Davao City. Patrons and matrons can be prime movers in teaching appreciation for theater plays. Classroom activities specifically designed for art appreciation like going to a theater play will help theater productions to flourish.

All these and more can greatly help our city's theater organizations to survive, thrive and continue to produce theater productions that are relevant, shakers, movers and agents of social change. Whether you're a government oficial, a leader of an organization, a business owner or just an overage individual: YOU CAN HELP!

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Author's Note: Share this article and help stir awareness on theater play appreciation in our community. - This article is one of ten articles on THE IMPORTANCE OF THEATER PLAYS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Davao's Exotic Delights

Travelling to Davao is always an exotic experience. The safest city in the country has got its tourists falling in love with its natural wonders and exciting adventures. But that's not the end of it. Even the food here is thrilling! Some may call it weird or unusual, but isn't it that the best part of travelling? To try something that is out of the ordinary so that you can truly say you've experienced the place? And we're not just talking about the exotic Durian fruit. 

They've got more!

Ever tasted Carabao meat? Picture your "pochero" or beef stew with Carabao meat in it, and it will spell delicious in Davao. It's considered a delicacy, especially if made by one restaurant called Bulca Chong. The place looks like a house, except there is a big sign of its name with a drawing of a red carabao head. The meat is tender and the soup is mouth-watering. Need more? They'll give you extra bowls of soup for your rice to swim on. they open till late night, and it's where most people go to after a long night of partying.

One of the after-sought places to eat in Davao is the Goat's eye at Matina Town Square. No, there is no food here that has the goat's eye, but Davaoenos claim this is where the best Dinakdakan can be eaten.Made of pork ears, cheeks, and brain, plus a dish of citrus flavor and some onions, the unique dish will surely give your taste buds a kick, Nothing goes to waste in Philippine cooking. Every part is used up and every bit tastes just as good.

Did you know that crocodile meat is low in fat and calories, and high in protein? Riverwalk Grill has got an "exotic menu" with various ways of eating crocodile meat. They have got crocodile cooked as a steak, sislig, roasted ribs, caldereta, and kare-kare. They also serve ostrich meat and even an ostrich-egg omelet! Now how lare can that oelet be?

Just recently, Philip Dizon, owner of the Davao Crocodile farm has ventured into something more exotic. He has made his very own Crocodile Lechon. Now, before animal conservationists give a big no-no to this, the crocodiles used for eating are those that are bread in his farm, and are not endangered. He has already perfected his recipe, and people who tasted it have been clamoring for more. Definitely a must-try, and definitely Filipino.

On your next trip to Davao, go ahead and explore. Fill your eyes with the sights of Davao, nourish your mind with the culture and lives of the people, absorb the friendliness of  the Davaoenos, and give your stomach a unique gastronomic kick! Eating is indeed more fun in the Philippines!

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(Repost with friendly permission from WHERE MAGAZINE. My gratitude to Publisher Raymund Isaac and Chief Editor Mitzi Gamboa-Tongoy. Visit also www.whrmag.com).

Philippine National Artist Fernando Poe, Jr.

President Aquino has finally approved and signed Proclamation 435 affirming a previous proclamation of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declaring the late movie icon Fernando Poe Jr. a National Artist, posthumously.

Poe, Ronald Allan Poe in real life, was officially defeated by Arroyo in the May 2004 presidential elections. He died in December of the same year.

His family didn't attend the formal conferment of the award in May 20096. His wife, veteran Susan Roces, accused Arroyo of rigging the votes in her favor.

The National Artist Award is the most fitting recognition in the Philippines.

Who will be the next? DOLPHY?

Davao City International Airport's Anti-trafficking Desk

An anti-trafficking in persons desk was finally opened last July 20, 2012 at the Davao International Airport. The desk is initiated by the Regional Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking-Integrated Action Network.

According to Regional State Prosecutor Antonio Arrellano, concurrent Regional Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking chair, the establishment o an airport desk is an urgency with Davao City becoming more accessible to air travel being the primary entry and exit point in the region.

The desk will be manned by the Airport Security Group, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the regional Public Safety Battalion. It is aimed as mechanism of integration and coordination between all member agencies.

By June 2012 the network has rescued and intercepted 111 trafficking victims. About 94 victims were rescued in Davao City.

The launching ceremony was graced by the presence of City Mayor Sara Duterte who expressed full support to the initiatives. She also expressed the possibility of opening a similar anti-trafficking person's desk in the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal.

Survival of Philippine Eagles

While it is crucial to seek more donors to save the Philippine eagle from extinction, the Philippine Eagle foundation admitted that it is utterly careful in accepting funds for the survival of the country's national bird.

At the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos district near Davao City (where, by the way, one of my nieces is working as a volunteer!), 12 of the 36 Philippine eagles in captivity are still up for adoption.

Dennis Salvador, Philippine Eagle Foundation executive director, told Mindanews, that there are companies that are insistent to support the foundation. But, Salvador clariied that the foundation has a policy in screening their partners, especially if the company is involve in resource extraction.

By the way, former Philippine president Fidel Ramos officially declared the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) as the national bird in 1995.

Meanwhile, real estate developer Avida and entered into a three-years-sponsorship with the foundation and donated 125,000 Pesos to the foundation  for a 12-years-old eagle now known as "Avida".

Museo Dabawenyo in Davao City Philippines

Voiceworks Theater Company Davao City, Inc. Presents...

Order your tickets now...

Witness another great play from talented Davao City's performer.

See you then.

Why is The Filipino Special?

Writer's note: This is an article written by former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., which has been re-posted several times in the past, and several days ago in Mindanao Daily Mirror, where fellow columnist Juan L. Mercado commented: "YOU MAY FIND MUCH TO AGREE WITH IT - OR DISAGREE. ANYWAY READ ON...". I would say the same. As an expatriate, living in the Philippines since 1999 for good, I found Magsaysay's article very interesting... .

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Filipinos are brown. Our color should not be a reason for an inferiority complex. (Some) pine for a fair complexion, white people tan themselves - approximate the Filipino complexion.

Filipinos are a touching people. We create human chains with our perennial AKBAY (putting an arm around another's shoulder, HAWAK (hold), KALABIT (touching with the tip of a finger). We seek inter connections.

Filipinos are linguists. It is not uncommon for Filipinos to speak at least three: his own dialect, Filipino and English. A lot speak an added language, Chinese, Spanish, or, if he works abroad, thelanguage of his host country.

Filipinos are "groupists". We surround ourselves with people and hover over them. An average Filipino would have and know at least 300 relatives, notes Dr. Patricia Licuanan of Ateneo and Miriam College.

At work, we live BAYANIHAN (mutual help). We want a KALARA (playmate) more than LARUAN (toy). At socials, even guests bring in other guests. When the is no more space in the vehicle, we KALONG KALONG (sit on anoher!). No one suggests splitting.

Filipinos are weavers. Look at our baskets, mats and other crafts. This art is metaphor. We are social weavers. We weave their into ours that we all become parts of another. Thus, we put preium  on PAKIKISAMA (getting along) and PAKIKIPAGKAPWA (relating). WALANG PAKIKI-PAGKAPWA (inability to relate) is one of the worst labels. 

We harmonize with people and include them in our "tribe", our "family". We seek to be included. Thus, we call our friend's mother NANAY. We ca a friend's sister ATE (eldest sister), and so on. We even call strangers TIA/TITA (aunt) or TIO/TITO (uncle).

We have the "KA" - institution - loosely translated as "equal to the same kind" as in KASAMA (of the same company), KAISA (of the same cause), KAPANALIG (of the same believe), etc. In our social fiber, we treat other people as co-equals. 

Filipinos are adventurers. We have a tradition of separation. Our legends speak of heroes and heroines who almost always get separated from loved ones, and move to far-away lands. There, they find wealth and power.

Our Spanish colonial history is filled with separations caused by the reduccion (hamleting), and forced migration to build towns, churches and galleons. American occupation enlarged the space of Filipino wandering, including America. There is documented evidence of Filipino presence in America as far as back as 1587.

Now, Filipinos composed the world's largest population of overseas workers. Today's citizens of the world bring BAGOONG (salty shrimps paste), PANSIT (sauteed noodles), SIOPAO (meat-filled dough), including the TABO (ladle) and TSINELAS  (slippers).

Filipinos recreate their home, or feel at home anywhere. Filipinos have PAKIRAMDAM (deep feeling/discernment). We know how to feel what others feel. Being MANHID (dense) is slur. In our PAKIKI-PAGKAPWA (relating), we get not only to wear another man's shoe but also his heart.

Filipinos are very spiritual. We transcend the physical world. We have a sense of KABA (hunch). A Filipino wife instinctively feels her husband or child is going astray, whether or not tell-tale signs present themselves. Filipinos spiritually makes him invoke divine intervention. Rightly or wrongly, Filipinos are always acknowledging, invoking or driving away spirits into and from their life.

Filipinos are timeless. For nearly half-a-millennium now, the Western clock encroached into our lives. Except for official functions, Filipinos will still measure the time with feeling. Our time is diffused, not framed.

Appointments are defined by UMAGA (morning), TANGHALI (noon), HAPON (afternoon), or GABI (evening). Our most exact time reference is probably KATANGHALIANG-TAPAT (high noon), which allows many minutes of leeway. There is really no defenite time. A Filipino event has no clear-cut beginning nor ending. We have a fiesta, but there is VISPERAS (evening), a day after the fiesta is still considered a good time to visit. The Filipino Christmas is not confined on December 25, it somehow begins months before December and extends up to beyond the first days of January.

Filipinos are spaceless. The Filipino concept of space is not expressed in kilometers but with feelings. We say MALAYO (far) or MALAPIT (near). Indigenous culture did not divide land into private lots but kept it open for all to partake of its abundance.

One's party may expropriate the street! So do SARI SARI - stores! Provincial folks dry PALAYAN (rice grain) on the high ways. Religious groups matter-of-factly commandeer streets for processions and parades. "Filipinos eat, sleep, chat, socialize, quarrel, even urinate ANYWHERE!

So what makes the Filipino special? Brown, spiritual, timeless, spaceless, linguists, groupists, weavers, adventures? Filipinos should contribute their traits to the world-wide-community of men. But first, they should know, like and love themselves...!

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Again: this is an article, written by former Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. - Comments are very much welcome here.