December Stories (A Memoir)

7. ATANG

   One of the plays that left an indelible mark on me was Dulaang UP's ATANG. This play was written by Sir Floy Quintos and was performed on December 2008 as part of the Sarsuwela Festival of that school year. I included my reaction to the production of this play here in  "December Stories" because I learned a valuable lesson when I watched it.

When I was young, I had this literary work entitled "A Stage Performer's Dream". In that story the main character was a ballerina (because I was a frustrated ballerina back then) who undergoes trials and has a predictable ending which was - she becomes the Prima Ballerina of the Dance Company. When I watched ATANG, that made me realize that a true artist or a true performer's dream and goal is contributing one's talents for the greater good.

ATANG was about Atang de la Rama, the country's Queen of Kundiman and the Queen of Philippine Sarsuwela. However, that's as far as I know her. For me, Honorata "Atang" de la Rama was just a famous singer of the yesteryears who faded away in my post-colonial subconscious mind. Aside from what she's known for, she is also the wife of Amado V. Hernandez; author of IBONG MANDARAGIT and ISANG DIPANG LANGIT.

I discovered while watching the play, that being the wife of a patriotic activist had its own set of challenges. She was still at the peak of her career but she turned her back on stardom and allowed herself to be stripped of glamour to serve the masses. She knew what battles to pick without losing her air of dignity and integrity despite the chaotic political landscape of her time.

One of the scenes that struck me was when the actor who played President Elpidio Quirino was talking to her. She refused to be a puppet of this politician as she knew very well he is the reason why her husband is behind bars and why the masses were suffering.

As a citizen of this country and as an artist, she stood on a different stage. This is what made me admire her. It was innate for her to shine and stand out because she's simply that talented, but she served her countrymen, with her life and talent - a far more rewarding experience than fame.

While I was watching ATANG I could not help but feel a lump in my throat as the character of Gia and Atang showed the part of this legendary singer visits to Ka Amado in prison, in which they exchange papers - she giving him writing supplies while he would give her the literary works the penned while in prison. She then keeps it underneath her skirt to be published later on. These works are now known as some Ka Amado's Obra Maestras/masterpieces.

I simply marveled at this scene, being a hopeless romantic and all, I find their relationship; added to their contribution to the public, a pure display of love against all odds. It was a beautiful ode to a wonderful and mysterious life, I'd never seen and known before. 

I learned a lot from this play. I was struck by the character of Gia Almonte, the starlet, who tried to coax the elderly Atang to give her the blessing to star as the latter in the upcoming movie. Gia wanted to use the role as a star vehicle for her and tried to convince Atang at all costs.  When Gia realized she couldn't convince Atang to give what she wants, the elderly Atang pointed out that she is such an onion-skinned person or balat sibuyas. The elderly Atang reminds the young woman that she shouldn't be like that if she wants to survive showbizness.    Atang reminded her that it is a cutthroat world and advised the starlet that she should be tough and humble enough to face and accept criticisms.

I liked the part at the end when Atang de la Rama begged Gia Almonte not to pursue the role in her biographical movie. The elderly artist told the young actress that she should make her way to stardom by performing and touching the heart of people, even if it's just a single person. Atang said, that would be more than enough. 

I cried when I heard this.

Indeed I was not able to rewrite A Stage Performer's Dream, however in front of me was the real ending if I were to rewrite it.  Because of the play, I realized, it doesn't matter where you perform, what your role is, or who your audience is, what's important is that you strive to enlighten minds and move people with your performance or story. That's what every artist should always dream and aim for. It's great to have a number of awards and acquire prestige with your art, but that shouldn't be your end goal. There's something greater than that - and that's what the play and memory of Atang de la Rama reminded me of.