Walang Sugat

Walang Sugat (literally “No Wound” or "Without Wound", in the sense of being “Not Wounded”^[1]) is an 1898 Tagalog-language zarzuela  – a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that includes music, singing, and poetry  – written by Filipino playwright Severino Reyes. The music for the original version of the play was written by Filipino composer Fulgencio Tolentino.^[2] Walang Sugat was written when the zarzuela became a “potent means” of expressing Filipino nationalism after the arrival of the Americans in the Philippines. The Philippines was a territory of the United States from 1898 to 1946. Prior to American rule, the Philippines was a colony of Spain from 1521–1898.^[3]

Although Walang Sugat is one of the major and popular zarzuelas in the Philippines,^[1] it was one of the plays considered by the American authorities as a play that was “too subversive”, leading to Reyes’ imprisonment.^[3] A typical and traditional Filipino zarzuela  – known and spelled in Tagalog as sarsuwela^[2] or sarswela^[4]  – portrays the dilemmas of domestic life in the Philippines presented through dialogue, singing, and dance. In addition, the Philippine form of the zarzuela is laden with romance, humor, and conflict.^[2] Severino Reyes, known as the "Father of the Tagalog Zarzuela", wrote his literary masterpiece Walang Sugat as his "statement against imperialism".^[1]

Description

Walang Sugat was first published in 1898. The play was first presented to the public in 1902 at the Teatro Libertad (Liberty Theater). Walang Sugat is set during the Philippine Revolution (1896–1898) against Spain.^[3] The play is about the injustices received by Filipinos from the Spanish colonial rulers,^[2] including the oppression of Filipino prisoners by Spanish friars.^[4] Filipinos who expressed their patriotism died because of the cruelty of the Spanish friars.^[1] The imprisoned Filipinos ended up in jail because of allegations of being subversives. Apart from the issue of politics, revolution, and nationalism, Walang Sugat is also a love story. It features the romance and love affair between Tenyong and Julia.^[4] Towards the end of the Philippine Revolution against the Spaniards, Tenyong left Julia to become a revolutionary, as a Katipunan member. During Tenyong’s absence Julia continuously receives pressure from her mother to marry Miguel, a wealthy man. Julia succumbed to her mother’s wishes when she did not hear from Tenyong after sometime, while the revolution continues. The wedding of Julia and Miguel was interrupted by the arrival of Tenyong. Tenyong was dying due to wounds obtained while in battle. Tenyong mentioned his dying wish to Julia.^[2] Walang Sugat features an "unexpected twist", presenting how Tenyong  – the hero of the play  – is able to outwit the persons who were trying to separate him from his beloved Julia.^[1]

Modern-day reenactments

2009

Walang Sugat was reenacted by the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. (BKFI)  – a theater group that received a GAWAD CCP para sa Sining (CCP Arts Award) from the Cultural Center of the Philippines  – from 11 to 13 February 2009 at the UP University Theater. It was presented by BKFI during the UP Sarsuwela Festival 2009 nationwide celebration.^[1]

2010

Another reenactment of Walang Sugat was produced by the Tanghalang Ateneo (Ateneo Theater) of the Ateneo de Manila University. Tanghalang Ateneo’s version of Walang Sugat was presented in 2010. Tanghalang Ateneo's version of Walang Sugat was Ateneo de Manila University’s first major zarzuela production, and was done to celebrate the university’s three-year long Sesquicentennial Celebration. Ateneo de Manila’s production of Walang Sugat was directed by Ricardo Abad. The music for the play was directed by Josefino Tolledo. The lights design was under the direction of Jonjon Villareal, while the choreography was directed by Dexter Santos. The set and the costumes for the Ateneo de Manila version of the zarzuela was designed by Salvador Bernal, a National Artist of the Philippines.^[5]

Film adaptation

Walang Sugat had been adapted into film twice, namely in 1939 and in 1957.^[6][7] The 1939 film version was produced by Filippine Productions, and was directed by Enrique Herrera-Dávila, and was starred by Filipino actors Rosa del Rosario and Leopoldo Salcedo.^[6] The 1957 movie version of Walang Sugat was produced by LVN Pictures, under the direction of Lamberto V. Avellana. Among the Filipino actors who participated in the 1957 film adaptation of the play included Rosa Aguirre, Miguel Anzures, Tony Dantes, Joseph de Cordova, Oscar Keesee, Mario Montenegro, Charito Solis, and Jose Vergara.^[7]

See also

• Paglipas ng Dilim

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Asis, Raul. "Walang Sugat to be staged, Feb 11–13". Philippine Entertainment Portal. http://www.pep.ph/guide/theater/3318/quotwalang-sugatquot-to-be-staged-feb-11-13. Retrieved 27 June 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "'Walang Sugat' at the Ateneo de Manila University (Irwin Theater)". Filipino Writer. http://www.filipinowriter.com/walang-sugat-at-the-ateneo-de-manila-university-irwin-theater. Retrieved 27 June 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Drama (section)". visitphilippines.org. http://www.visitphilippines.org/guide/8_0_19_1_Arts-and-Literature-.:-VisitPhilippines.org-a-Best-Destination-Travel-Guide-by-Travelindex.html. Retrieved 27 June 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} Julao Jr., Edmundo V. "Sarswelang 'Walang Sugat' itinanghal (Zarzuela 'Walang Sugat' shown)". The Mentor’s Journal. http://www.thementorsjournal.net/2009/10/sarswelang-%e2%80%9cwalang-sugat%e2%80%9d-itinanghal/. Retrieved 27 June 2011. 
5. ^ "Tanghalang Ateneo's 'Walang Sugat'". Click the City. http://www.clickthecity.com/events/details.php?id=7103. Retrieved 27 June 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Walang Sugat (1939)". IMDb. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0483203/. Retrieved 27 June 2011. 
7. ^ ^{a b} "Walang Sugat (1957)". A Lot of FILMS. http://nogenremovies1957.alotoffilms.com/philippines/walang-sugat.html. Retrieved 27 June 2011.