In this modernize world, not all of us would talk about and
look back to where our roots come from. Seldom have I heard of people who talks
about of our historical background and cultures as their topic for a simple
conversation. Of course, not to those who are currently studying such. That is why;
it is amazing to witness a theatrical performance depicting the culture of the
tri-people in Mindanao.
“Tatlo sa Isa”, is story of the three people in one island,
particularly, the Lumads, the Christian settlers and the Muslims. The show was
brilliantly performed by the well-acclaimed Integrated Performing Arts Guild
(IPAG) through the medium of dancing, accompanied by traditional instruments.
Different dance-stories were performed to show to show the
tradition and culture of these tri-people. First was that of the Lumads. The
highlight of this was their traditional courtship. Wherein, a man would put a
handkerchief on the shoulder of a woman he liked while dancing, to show his interest
in her. But then the woman would get the handkerchief off her shoulder to show
her dislike to him. Another was the story about a bird (a man) and a fish (a
woman) and when they started to like each other, a hangman came with an axe and
an evil plan to kill the two of them. The bird fought the hangmen with all his
strength to protect his beloved. But at the end, the both of them died and the
hangmen succeeded in his plans. This story just showed what love can do; even
to sacrifice one's life.
Then, the culture of the Christian-settlers was being
enacted. Most of which was their common and famous folk dances. The highlight
was when they enacted the story of “Pilimon”, it is a story a fisherman who was
not that lucky enough in fishing and who was so addicted in “Tuba”. To which, I
guess, all of us know.
Finally, the
Muslim's Culture and traditional dances were being depicted; they were the
“Sagayan”, the famous “Singkil” - a Maranao dance, “Sambi sa Malong”- which is
also a Maranao dance and many others.
Indeed, the show was so amazing and worth it. As we just sat
back during the show, the feeling was splendid, for they have gloriously
performed the dance-stories of the tri-people in Mindanao in one dynamic event.
But the purpose of the show was not just to awe the audience with the colorful
costumes, dances, gracefulness, stunts and all. Its purpose is to show us how
our culture and tradition was, how wonderful it is and to teach us that even
though we are now living in a modernized world, we should still look back and
give importance to these cultures and traditions. Because these is our
treasures and these was created by our ancestors for us.
