Pre-Kadaugan drama draws actors, audience

She was the oldest performer at 70 but Adelina Abellanosa Talampo was as enthusiastic as anyone participating in last Friday evening’s reenactment of the pre-battle ritual of Mactan.

“Though our practices end up at 12 midnight I am still happy performing because it has been six years that I am part of this pre-battle ritual,” she said.

Kadaugan performers like her are given only snacks after late night practices.

Talampo said she and the cast practiced since February for the pre-battle ritual drama.

She plays a tribe elder who gave advice to Datu Lapu-Lapu. In one scene, she recounted to Lapu-Lapu how she witnessed her father’s bravery in battle.

Like Talampo, Maria Gina Luchavez, a mother of four, is also a consistent participant.

“Aside from remembering our history, the play helps the children in terms of discipline and developing their talents,” she said.

The Kadaugan sa Mactan Dance group performed the ritual play beside the shore of Mactan Shrine the night before the actual reenactment of the battle directed by Xavier Palanca.

Before the pre-battle ritual drama, dancers clad in Siloy costumes played to island percussion beat. Plantation Bay dancers wearing American period costumes also performed to 70s songs.

An acrobatics number wowed the crowd of spectators while senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño was invited with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza to the stage to join selected spectators in dancing a 70s dance hit.

During the drama the ensemble cast gathered around to hear one of the natives warn Lapu Lapu about the invading army led by Magellan.

The high priestess then offered the sword of their anito as a symbol of victory for Mactan and Lapu Lapu.

Reyna Bulakna sang about her fears of the Spaniards to Datu Lapu-Lapu and prayed for victory.

Datu Lapu Lapu responded by telling Bulakna that he cannot stand seeing his people harmed by the Spaniards and vowing that Mactan and its people will continue to live there.

The pre-ritual play ended with fireworks. The audience then made a beeline to food stalls lined up the area leading to the shrine along with souvenir shops. Correspondent Michelle Joy Padayhag and Apple Ta-as, UP Intern