Philippine Cultural Practices

Study Notes

A ritual serves as a means of communication with deities or spirits, often facilitated by a babylan or albularyo who may become possessed during the process.
Duplo is a poetic debate that is the precursor to the balagtasan, showcasing verbal skill and creativity.
Bayok refers to a Maranao joust where themes are tailored to the specific occasion of the performance.
Balitaw is characterized by a poetic debate between a man and a woman, also encompassing associated songs and dances.

Dulambayan, or people's theater, is rooted in social movements, prevalent among unions of workers and peasants, emphasizing communal issues.
Drama Simboliko is an allegorical form of nationalist drama that originated during the American colonial era and saw a revival in the Marcos regime.
Dulang Pangkalye describes performances taking place outside formal theater venues, bringing drama to public spaces.

Teatrong Pansimbahan centers on spirituality, performed in alignment with the church calendar of various Christian denominations.
Komedya is a verse play depicting lives of saints and can include historical narratives from Africa, Europe, Arabia, and Persia.
Dapit Pangangaluluwa involves traditions of fetching the community’s patron saint's image, often utilizing puppets to act out stories.

Opera entered the Philippine scene in the late 19th century, combining musicality with theatrical storytelling.
Indigenous theater comprises rituals, mimetic customs, and dance, largely with Malay traits, representing about 5% of the population. This includes forms like balitaw, duplo, and bayok.

Plays influenced by Spanish cultures manifest through genres like drama, komedya, sinakulo, and particularly sarswela, which focuses on Filipino domestic and social themes.
Theater under Anglo-American influence includes bodabil and modern plays written in English or Filipino.
Bodabil is a stage format combining diverse acts like music, comedy, and acrobatics, primarily serving as political theater in the 1980s.
Documentary style performances aim to connect historical events and figures to contemporary contexts, enhancing audience understanding.
Brechtian theater, or theater of instruction, emphasizes educating audiences through performance.