This time he doesn’t just daydream under a tree waiting for the proverbial guava fruit to fall.
A popular character in Philippine folklore, Juan Tamad, takes centerstage on Nov. 10, 2024 (10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater at Circuit Makati. With admission on a pay-what-you-can basis, this is part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Children’s Biennale. When Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) raises the curtain on Mga Kwento ni Juan Tamad, words on old pages of this fable will come alive in vivid detail.
Designed specifically for Children’s Dance Theater, and inspired by the classic Filipino children’s stories of Juan Tamad, this production gives a new twist to the beloved tales. It marks a significant milestone for one of ARDP’s talented choreographers, Erl Sorilla, who has crafted both the book and his first full-length choreography. Sorilla surrounds Juan Tamad with new variants of timeless fables that we share outlining customs that we uphold, to connect us to our past and to each other.
The animals have human characteristics and are crafted to teach moral lessons. They catch the imagination of children because of their simplicity, and yet contain the ancient wisdom and knowledge of all those who have gone before us.
This Juan starts out as being lazy, but not for long. His transformation from being a negative stereotype, embodying fatalism, lack of drive and ambition, to a positive figure, a hero for the community, reflects changing societal values where he perseveres and triumphs against all odds.
The story follows the adventures of Juan Tamad, and his loyal sidekick, a monkey called Matsing. Aided by Juan’s unique ability to converse with animals and his innate love for nature, the duo set out to find the village’s most prized treasure, the fruit of all their hard work and labor, the “Gintong Niyog” stolen by the greedy Buwaya—a challenge Juan must complete to win the hand of Maria Masipag, the center of his affection.
Dan Dayo as Matsing in Erl Sorilla’s Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad
Along his journey, Juan encounters a variety of animals, including those from the stories of Pagong at Kuneho, Ang Gamu-gamu at ang Lampara, and Buwaya at ang Paboreal. Through these encounters, Juan learns valuable moral lessons that guide him on his path. With the help of the animals, Juan grows in character, and ultimately finds the “Gintong Niyog.”
The transformation and the challenges are presented through Juan’s encounters with anthropomorphic characters: a crocodile, a turtle, a rabbit, and a peacock. The fable is an allegorical piece celebrated and transformed through dance theater.
The production is specifically created for students, as it aligns with Grades 1-10 and the high school syllabus, which includes: Filipino, Arts, Music, Humanities, Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, Personal Development, Araling Panlipunan and Physical Education. Through dance and storytelling, Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad offers an enriching, multidisciplinary educational experience for every young person in the audience to be motivated and inspired by what is seen, heard, and felt onstage.
Karla Santos as Maria Masipag in Erl Sorilla’s Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad
The anthropomorphic characters move with varying degrees of technical difficulty: arabesques and pirouettes en pointe, barefoot contralaterals, a gliding caminata, and a stomping zapateado. So expect to see a blend, an enchanting blur of dance genres: classical ballet, jazz, contemporary dance, tango, flamenco and live singing onstage. It’s this balance of inspired choreography with an energetic and captivating musical score that makes the entire performance a joy to watch.
Fables remain relevant because they remind us of core human values in a way that we can relate to. Small tales with big messages that create benchmarks for the audience minds. It is in these kwentos that we find a way to reconnect with our origins, our identity and rediscover a true sense of what it means to be human.
ARDP’s production of Mga Kwento ni Juan Tamad is contemporary inspiration, rich storytelling, and reinvents a character from our childhood we thought we already knew.
Mga Kwento ni Juan Tamad premieres Nov. 10, 2024, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater as part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Children’s Biennale. Admission is on a pay-what-you-can basis.
The production is brought to life with musical score by award-winning singer-songwriter Toto Sorioso, and magical sets and costumes designed by the renowned Filipino director and Broadway designer, Loy Arcenas.
Under the mentorship of National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes, and ARDP artistic director, Ronelson Yadao
