Theater Director Eyes Boracay Performances

Boracay Island- A Boracay-based director, producer and scriptwriter is eyeing holding theater performances on Boracay soon.

Arthur Peracullo, the Special Projects and Events Manager of the Fairways and Bluewater Resorts that work is underway to establish a theater guild in the resort island.

“Details are still being finalized, but I hope to come up with a theater performance in Boracay as an added tourism attractions soon. I am thankful to our General Manager  Catherine Marcelo for all the support” he said.

Earlier, Kalibo Mayor Juris Bautista-Sucro lauded Peracullo and his production team for their re-enactment of the legend of Ati-atihan. The theatrical performance was a highlight of the annual Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival this year.

Sucro said he supported the revival of the re-enactment known as “Panay 1212” for the younger generation to learn about the legend behind the origins of the Ati-atihan Festival.

The two-hour performance was written and directed by Peracullo himself. He also directed emotional re-enactments of the heroism of the 19 martyrs of Aklan.

“The theatrical production highlights the celebration of the Ati-atihan which started from a legend on the arrival of 10 Bornean datus (chiefs) in Panay. The huge production included hundreds of staff and cast members from different schools in Kalibo who served as actors and actresses in the theatrical performance. This way, the younger people would not only learn about the history but also experience it through theater,” Peracullo added.

Since the “Barter of Panay” theatrical performance debut in 1968, it has always bee tradition one of the highlights of the Kalibo Sto Nino Ati-atihan Festival, performed at the Kalibo Pastrana Park. The said re-enactment of the Barter of Panay as a tradition disappeared from the Ati-atihan revelry in recent years.

This year, among the teenage stars of the Panay 1212 includes GIL Lachica as King Marikudo, Renzie Ileto as Pinangpangan, Hannah June OIiva as Queen Maniwangtiwang ang Sean Michael Ventura as Datu Puti.

The “Barter of Panay” brings to life the story that has been passed on through oral tradition. This story was also documented in Pedro Monteclaro’s book entitled Maragtas sang Panay published in 1907. Monteclaro was a local leader, writer and historian. Monteclaro acknowledged the legends are important to Visayan heritage. He embarked on a gleaning of stories shared by the elders in Panay.

The Kalibo Council for Culture and the Arts Performing Arts Guild, featuring the talents of students from Regional Science High School in Western Visayas, Aklan State University (ASU), Garcia College of Technology (GCT) and Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC) immortalized an 800-years old story through the theatrical cultural presentation. It was held at the Magsaysay Park in Kalibo on January 17.