The legend of Mayon’s origins has been told and re-told through generations and remains very much a part of the Bicolano culture and imagination. Fabled for its beautiful symmetry, Mayon Volcano has always inspired poets, painters and musicians. And, there are many works of art that depict and pay tribute to its beauty.
 |
| Presentation during the Daragang Magayon Press Conference held at Barbara Restaurant , Intramuros Manila |
When clouds sheath the
peak of the perfect cone of the Mayon Volcano in Albay, Bicol, locals say that
the lovers Magayon, the lovely maiden after whom the volcano is named, and her
handsome Ulap, must be kissing.
The myth of Daragang
Mayon is a timeless tale of love that almost every Bicolano knows. It is the story of Magayon
(beautiful maiden), the only daughter of chieftain Makusog, and Ulap (Cloud),
the brave son of a chieftain from another region. They fall in love and are engaged when Pagtuga, a jealous
suitor foils their plans to marry.
Pagtuga kidnaps Makusog and threatens to kill him unless Magayon
consents to marry him instead of her beloved Ulap. To her great grief, Magayon gives up Ulap to save her
father’s life. Magayon and Pagtuga
are about to be wed when Ulap disrupts the wedding and slays Pagtuga. Magayon rushes into the arms of Ulap but is struck by an arrow. As she lay dying in his arms, Magayon
is fatally stabbed in the back by one of Pagtuga’s men. The ill-starred lovers
are laid to rest, together for eternity, in a mound of earth that grew bigger
and bigger with the passage of time, eventually becoming the volcano that is
known as Mayon.
This February, the month
of hearts and lovers, Filipino audiences will have the chance to witness a
unique and exciting reprise of this age-old and romantic love story, retold
through music, dance, poetry and film, in DARAGANG MAGAYON: AN ISTORYA NI MAYON slated on February
8, 2013, with matinee performance at 3pm and Gala performance at 8pm, at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines,
Roxas Blvd, Pasay City.
Daragang Magayon is a
presentation of E-Dance Theater, the Provincial Government of Albay, Bicol
University in cooperation with Goodwill Bookstore and Ballet Manila. The production is supported by the
Bicol Provincial government as part of its efforts to revitalize the tourist
development program, highlighting Albay’s rich cultural heritage.
 |
| Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay |
Daragang Magayon: An Istorya ni Mayon boasts of a new twist---the use of
multimedia---to tell the story of how Mayon volcano was born.
Adding luster to the
production are two of the country’s foremost artists who collaborated on
Daragang Magayon. National Artist
for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (Rio Alma) penned the poetry for this new
production.
Gawad CCP para sa Sining awardee Ramon P. Santos composed the
music.
 |
| The people behind "Daragang Magayon: Ang Istorya ni Mayon", a unique presentation of ballet, poetry, rondalla orchestra with film animation about the alamat of Mayon. |
Albay poet laureate
Abdon Balde Jr. did the dramaturgy for the production, adapting the Mayon
legend for stage. Aimee Escasa and Boni Ilagan did the storyline and script,
while Leo Abaya and John Batalla did the set and lighting designs respectively.
Filmmakers Chuck Escasa, Niko
Salazar and Henry Posadas worked on the filmic elements of the production that
included animation, adding to the visual excitement of the production.
Gerald
Mercado did the choreography and direction for Daragang Magayon.
Daragang Magayon features
the dancers of E-Dance Theater led by Ea Torrado as Magayon, Victor Maguad as
Ulap, Francis Cascano as Pagtuga, Pamela Josef as Usa, Marcus Tolentino as
Makusog and Roduardo Ma and Earvin Guillermo alternating as Linog. The show is highlighted by the special
participation of Ronnie Lazaro as Gugurang, Pontri Bernardo as the Aswang,
soprano Stephanie Quintin, tenor Jay-El Viteno, Bass Jonak Del Fierro, and
performing groups E-Dance Theater,
UP Rondalla and Novo Concertante.
For more information, please
call: 4250509, 09209266387, 8321125 loc 1116; for
ticket inquiries, please contact
829-3591, 09062735400 / 09228477639 / 09334372744 TICKET WORLD:
(02) 891 9999.
