Saliw ng Pailaw, Bato, at Emosyon: Di na Muli ng Itchyworms at CCP Main Theater



Hilado x Locsin x Itchyworms.

Itchyworms' latest music video “Di na Muli” captured the raw beauty and emotion of Teodoro Hilado’s theatrical lighting (said to be the “Father of Philippine Theatrical Lighting") and graceful yet strong “bato kung bato” architecture of National Artist Leandro "Lindy" Locsin.


CCP Main Theater's side as viewed from outside

I have been to CCP’s main theater countless times, yet it is only now that I appreciate Lindy Locsin’s vision as an architect, through the lighting legacy of Hilado, his wife Tiya Rosky Balahadia Hilado's graceful dance, and music of Jugs and the rest of the band. The mash of visual, audio, and the story was harmonious and emotional. Nakakapanindig balahibo at maluha-luhang pag-aappreciate ng obra.

The staircase (Screenshot from Di na Muli video by Itchyworms)

Between the lights and a strong rocky edifice is a story of love and longing. Sa bawat gawa ng sining, mayroon itong kaluluwa at kwento—karanasan, alaala, amoy, tunog, na bumubuo sa lugar na ito.



Sa pagkakabasa ko sa kwento ni Tiya Rosky na pinost ng kanyang pamangkin na si Juno Oebanda, ang entablado ng Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater ay isang lugar ng pagibig, nang makilala niya ang magiging katuwang niya sa buhay na si Tiyo Teddy, “Ama ng Teatrikong Pailaw ng Bansa.” Para kay Tiya Rosky, yun ang “diwa ng lugar o lunan.”

Tiya Rosky at the main lobby of the theater (Screenshot from Di na Muli video by Itchyworms)

The performance at the main theater of Tiya Rosky (Screenshot from Di na Muli video by Itchyworms)

To quote the conversation of Tiya Rosky and Juno:
“I haven’t been on this stage for more than 20 years.” I said, “Tita this last sequence is where you will dance with Tito Teddy, dance with the light Tita, dance with Tito Teddy”.


Stories, both personal and social, brings life to the otherwise bareness of space. In our cultural mapping activities, we placed "Stories Associated With" on sites which are deemed culturally or historically significant. Sa pamamagitan nito, not only we brought a lofty and otherwise devoid space a purpose, a meaning, but something that we can relate into.

Chino Singson of the Itchyworms playing at one of the balconies at the main theater (Screenshot from Di na Muli video by Itchyworms)
Filipinos have a penchant of hugot and themes that relates to them socialy and personally. That is why I somehow appreciate how the video was executed with such harmony and beauty.

Karen Adea as the younger Tiya Rosky (Screenshot from Di na Muli video by Itchyworms)
The CCP Main Theater perhaps may be one of Leandro Locsin's pinnacles in his design that made him an institution in Philippine architecture and bestowed the country's honor as a National Artist. However, if we add up the experiences, the stories behind the massiveness of the stone-washed theater, the lofty and imposing building beside Roxas Boulevard is something where we ordinary folks can relate to. Thank goodness for this video and CCP's annual event Pasinaya.

The ceiling panels of CCP Main Theater (Screenshot from Di na Muli video by Itchyworms)


Places are oftentimes our basis of our hugot. May naaalala tayo kapag nakikita, naamoy, at nararamdaman natin ang mga espasyong may kahulugan sa atin. Nagiging kasama ito sa kung ano man tayo ngayon, at kung ano na ang lugar na iyon. Nabibigyang buhay, sigla, at emosyon ang espasyo. This video is only one of the many stories of the CCP Main Theater and the place beside Roxas Boulevard.

***
The song was a grand price winner of PhilPop 2016, composed and written by Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola, and was performed by Itchyworms. The video was directed by Juno Oebanda and Paolo Abella, with the lighting done by one of Hilado's students Shakira Villa Symes. It is dedicated to Teodoro Hilado, the "Father of Philippine Theatrical Lighting," and the woman dancing towards the end of the movie was his widow, Rosky Balahadia Hilado (the younger Rosky in the video was performed by Karen Adea).

Kudos to the team! For someone who is working with the cultural sector, nakaka-proud at nakaka-appreciate ang mga ganitong obra.