WALANG SUGAT HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Zarzuela was originally a Spanish light opera introduced into the Philippines in the 19^th Century. It evolved into a truly Filipino art form that is typical of the local folk- culture. Written in the native dialects, the more important known ones Tagalog, the dialect of Manila and Central Luzon, it became the popular medium of entertainment of the Filipinos who chafed under the Spanish colonial rule. Reflecting their aspirations for freedom, some plays had nationalistic themes to incite revolutionary fervor. Its golden age spanned over twenty years, from the last few years of the 19^th century to the early twenties.

Walang Sugat (Not Wounded) is the best known zarzuela work of Severino Reyes ( 1861- 1942), the father of Filipino drama. Its music was composed by Fulgencio Tolentino (1872- 1940), a celebrated musician and composer. Produced in 1902, it was a phenomenal success, with over a hundred repeat performances during its first year. Overnight it became a Filipino institution, being featured in practically all large town areas and national celebration for many years. It was awarded a bronze medal at the St. Louis Universal Exposition in 1904 and a silver medal at the Panama- Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915. It was also made into movies, an early silent version and another of recent vintage.

The play revolves around two young people in love whose future plans are disrupted by the revolution that sweeps the country and brings personal tragedy to the hero. Torn between love for his sweetheart and love for country, the hero joins the revolution to avenge his father’s death. His absence complicates the life of his fiancee who is forced to agree to marrying someone else against her wishes. Through a ruse, he is able to save her from her predicament and eventually they are married.

The music of Walang Sugat have the melodies ranging from the gay, lilting strains of romantic love to the hauntingly sentimental moods of anguish and despair. The original music of Prof. Tolentino was reconstructed and modified to suit the modern way of presentation. The other songs have been composed especially for the revival production by contemporary Filipino composers Miguel Velarde, Jr. And Constancio de Guzman. The battle song, “Kalayaan, Ipaglaban,” was composed by Dr. Herminio Velarde, Jr., a grandson of Composer Tolentino. The new songs retain the flavor of the traditional zarzuela music.