DUPB series finale: "Makibaka 'Wag Matakot"

Dulaang UP Baguio closed the curtain of its three-part series with a performance titled “Makibaka, ‘Wag Matakot”, February 27 at the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) Parking lot.

In commemoration of the 34th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, DUPB highlighted the significant event after the Martial Law.

According to Professor Doris Wilson, member of the DUPB committee, the call “Makibaka, ‘Wag Matakot,” became a powerful call amidst the oppression faced by the people during Martial Law.

“Eto yung mid-80s na… Despite the Martial Law, nagpatuloy yung mga tao na nag-protest, naghayag ng kanilang mga hinaing doon sa diktaduryang Marcos. Kahit na dinarahas ‘yung mga tao during that time, naging malaking call yung "Makiba, ‘Wag Matakot". Dahil doon sa sama-samang pagkilos ng mga tao, napatalsik ‘yung diktaturya,”she mentioned.

(This happened during the mid-80s… Despite the Martial Law, people continued protesting and voicing out their concerns on the Marcos regime. Even when people were being oppressed during that time, the call “Makibaka, ‘Wag Matakot” was influential. The collective action of the people ended the dictatorship of Marcos.)

Songs and relevance

Professor Wilson added that the songs used for the performances call for a collective action.

“In-incorporate pa ‘rin namin para i-sum up kumbaga ‘yung buong period na ginawa. Nandun na ‘yung 'Mutya', nandun na yung 'Ang Masa', and then ‘yung 'Ang Bayan Ko'. Lagi’t-lagi na andun 'yung collective effort. Kung mapapansin, ‘yung mga song ay nagko-call siya for collective action,” she emphasized.

(We incorporated the songs to sum up the whole period. Song like 'Mutya', 'Ang Masa', and 'Ang Bayan Ko'. The collective effort is always there. If you notice, these songs call for collective action.)

The performance ended with the song 'Sayaw sa Bubog', a song that questions the promise of change by the EDSA People Power Revolution.

”Bilang panghuli ay ‘yung 'Sayaw sa Bubog'. 'Yun naman is song na naging popular siya after nung People Power kasi heto na ‘yung nagkaroon tayo ng EDSA, nagkaroon tayo ng ganoong change pero ano nga ba ang nangyari at hanggang ngayon ay ganoon pa rin yung mga calls natin? Bakit hanggang ngayon nagko-call pa rin tayo ng pagbabago,” Prof. Wilson explained.

(The last performance is the song 'Sayaw sa Bubog'. This song became popular after the People Power because when the EDSA (People Power) happened, we had such kind of change. But what really happened that until today, we still have the same calls? Why are we still calling for change?)

Localization of People Power Revolution

Professor Wilson also pointed out that the People Power movement did not just happen in Manila, but in other places as well.

“Nag-rely lang din kami doon sa mga kuwento ng FQS [First Quarter Storm] , sa mga kuwento ng kung ano ding nangyari sa Chico Dam, and ano yung nangyari noong 1986. Lalo kasi, ang alam lang natin ay EDSA, actually merong Baguio. Dito rin sila nag-converge, nagwalkout rin yung mga mamamayan at estudyante ng Baguio,” she discussed.

(We relied on real stories about the FQS [First Quarter Storm] , stories of what really happened at Chico Dam, and during the 1986. Especially that most of us only know that People Power happened on EDSA, actually it happened in Baguio as well. Citizens and students also converged and staged a walkout protest.)

‘Great Learning Experience’

Anngelica Asinas, one of the actors, said that being a part of a historical performance was such a memorable and a great learning experience.

“‘Yung characters kasi namin we based it from the real experiences nung First Quarter Storm, noong Martial Law. Kaya for me, it was such a memorable and a great learning experience… Ako since kasi taga-baba ako, siyempre ang alam ko lang eto kasi ang nangyari sa Manila na Martial Law, dito kasi we focused on what really happened sa Baguio, so that’s what made it different. I feel proud and honored,” she mentioned.

(We based our characters from the real experiences during the First Quarter Storm and Martial Law. That is why it is such a memorable and a great learning experience for me. Since I am not from here, the only thing I know is the Martial Law that happened in Manila, here we focused on what really happened in Baguio, so that’s what made it different. I feel proud and honored.)

DUPB plans to continue giving more performances that address social issues.