Photograph by Erickson dela Cruz
“Makibaka. Huwag Matakot!”. A graffiti scene from the musical Silver Lining Redux that depicted the lengthy historical past of scholar radical activism within the College of the Philippines (UP).
Initially staged in 2023, the musical tells the story of three highschool pals Leo, Anton, and Raul, as they navigate the highs and lows of rising up within the Nineteen Seventies underneath Martial Regulation as UP college students.
It revolves round Leo’s concept of staging a musical throughout their reunion at St. Dennis highschool as a tribute to their late buddy Chito.
It was a nostalgic journey pushed by songs which have change into a part of their adolescent lives once they have been pursuing each educational excellence and progressive considering.
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Complexities of generational variations
Centered on the complexities of generational variations, the musical faucets into the recollections and hardships of the Child Boomers whereas indulging on the creativeness of millennials and Gen Z.
The manufacturing showcased a cross-generational dialog about private and political betrayal that hang-out the older era, the enduring quest for justice and hope, whereas awakening inquisitiveness of their kids, linked with current points like extra-judicial killings and West Philippine Sea. They even related the
“ATIN To” slogan with the territorial dispute and College Athletic Affiliation of the Philippines (UAAP) video games.
It is peppered with parts related to UP faculty life as a showcase of iconic campus scenes and traditions – from enrollment chaos, UAAP, isaw, IKOT jeep, rivalries, rallies, classroom rowdiness, countless rendezvous, and romance.
The campus was an even bigger classroom the place Iskolars ng Bayan discovered the worth of give-and-take, cooperation and mutual respect in coping with quite a lot of personalities and characters.
Microcosm of bigger society
UP is a microcosm of the bigger society as college students have at all times been one of many largest, most vibrant forces of the social actions. UP scholar chief Lean Alejandro as soon as stated, “the scholars are able to function catalysts in social transformation.”
Again within the Nineteen Seventies, many members of the UP neighborhood participated in protest actions towards the reign of dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Demonstrations, protests, and marches towards the Marcos administration have been largely organized by college students and occurred from January 26 to March 17, 1970, now referred to as the “First Quarter Storm.”
Violent dispersals ensued through the FQS protests and it turned the watershed of the radicalization of Filipino college students within the Nineteen Seventies.
I used to be barely two months outdated when the nine-day rebellion referred to as “Diliman Commune” — from February 1 to 9, 1971— turned an proof of UP’s position because the “bastion of activism.”
It was the primary ever show of mass resistance from the UP Diliman neighborhood, along with transport employees, to protest the three-centavo enhance in oil costs.
Life underneath the dictatorship was lethal, particularly for many who stood towards Marcos, Sr.
Desaparecidos
The play touched upon the difficulty of desaparecidos that revolves round Leo’s misplaced love, Julia.
“Desaparecidos” is the Spanish and Portuguese phrase for “disappeared individuals” or victims of pressured disappearance with three parts: (a) deprivation of liberty towards the desire of an individual; (b) involvement of presidency officers, at the very least by acquiescence; and (c) refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or concealment of the destiny or whereabouts of the disappeared particular person.
It’s the identical academe the place I later spent a decade of my scholar life within the late ‘80s till late ‘90s.
If requested “Bakit ka ba naging aktibista,” I often reply again by saying that UP is the right place to develop in all facets, whether or not or not it’s intellectually, politically, socially detached, or opposing spectrum.
The college teaches what textbooks can not seize, the state training curriculum avoids, or the navy censors, erases or prohibits.
UP continues to exist with a essential eye on social and historic points.
The campus molded us to combat for the causes we imagine in; skilled us for the abilities we have to talk concepts and rally others to impact modifications in society.
The musical is the primary manufacturing of Rockitwell Studios owned by Galerie Joaquin’s Jack Teotico, a fellow graduate of the UP College of Economics.
Silver lining amidst darkish instances
“This musical is a bridge,” Teotico stated in an interview. “It’s about seeing the silver lining amidst darkish instances, for each era.”
The forged is led by Ricky Davao, Jamie Wilson, Raul Montesa, Jake Macapagal, Gina Respall, Don Anthony, Cheska Rodriguez, Dippy Arceo, Albert Silos, Drei Sugay, Jay Cortez, Sara Sicam, Krystal Brimner, Raflesia Bravo and Moi Gealogo.
The musical garnered essential acclaim throughout its unique run in 2023, together with 5 nominations on the prestigious Aliw Awards.
It runs on the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza in Makati Metropolis for 2 weekend, from November 8 to 10 and November 15 to 17,2024.
Allow us to proceed to rejoice activism and to dwell by the beliefs that sure us collectively.
(Peyups is the moniker of the College of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho is the Junior Companion of the Sapal Velez Bundang Bulilan Regulation Places of work. For feedback, e-mail [email protected], or name 09175025808 or 09088665786.)
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