Children’s musical ‘Sandosenang Sapatos’ topbills TP's 27th season

A children’s musical based on a book by a medical doctor who is a Palanca Awards Hall of Famer, about a shoemaker’s love for his physically disabled daughter and his family, topbills the 27th season of Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) opening on July 13 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

 

The musical “Sandosenang Sapatos” is based on the book of the same title written by pediatrician and family medicine doctor Luis P. Gatmaitan and published by Hiyas Books, an imprint of OMF Literature, Inc. in 2002, with illustrations by Beth Parrocha-Doctolero. 

 

In 2001, “Sandosenang Sapatos” earned Gatmaitan, also a children’s literature fictionist and essayist, his third first prize in the annual Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

 

In an interview, Gatmaitan said the theme of disability has always “intrigued” him after attending a training course on writing children’s literature in Tokyo sponsored by Asia-Pacific Cultural Center for UNESCO in 2000.

 

“While in Tokyo, I’ve noticed that the Japanese have a high regard for fellow citizens with various forms of disability. But it was only a year later that I was able to put down in writing what had been in my mind for some time,” said Gatmaitan, who still practices medicine.

 

“Reviewing the harvest of children’s literature in the country during the time, l’ve noticed that there were only a few stories, if at all, tackling the topic of disability. This led me to write one, which was 'Sandosenang Sapatos,'” Gatmaitan said.

 

After its publication by Hiyas Books, “Sandosenang Sapatos” was translated into Thai, Bahasa Indonesia, and Danish. 

 

In 2005, the book was chosen as one of the Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities by the International Board on Books for Young People.

 

In 1994, three years after graduating from the Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation’s Institute of Medicine, Gatmaitan won the first of his five Palanca Awards for Literature’s first prizes, with his “Si Duglahi, Isang Patak ng Dugo.” His other books that won Palanca first prizes were: “Reseta at Letra: sa Daigdig ng Isang Duktor-Manunulat” in 1997, “Tuwing Miyerkules” in 2002, and “Tapok at Banlik” in 2005.

 

To mark the celebration of the 28th National Children’s Book Day in the Philippines this July, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People has commissioned TP to mount the musical theater version of “Sandosenang Sapatos” in cooperation with the CCP on July 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, and 21.

 

While the musical adaption of the book has the central theme of a shoemaker-father’s love for his physically disabled daughter, it is also replete with affection and support between parents and their children, especially that the disabled child Susie is constantly bullied by other children around her.

“The idea for the creation of 'Sandosenang Sapatos' came only when I encountered a patient born without feet. In my mind, I was asking: What if this girl had a shoemaker for a father and he happens to be the best shoemaker in that town? When I write stories tackling sensitive topics like adoption, coping with death, and disability, I feel like I’m in a surgical table, face to face with a fragile patient, dissecting the body with utmost care and respect,” Gatmaitan said.

 

“Sandosenang Sapatos,” the musical, has a powerhouse of award-winning talents for its creative and production team. Layeta Bucoy wrote the libretto; Tuxqs Rutaquio is director and set designer; Noel Cabangon is composer while Jed Balsamo is co-composer, co-arranger, and musical director; TJ Ramos is sound director and guitarist; Gerald Mercado is choreographer; John Batalla is lighting designer; RJ Alfafa is percussionist, and Leeroy New and James Reyes are costume designers.

 

In a separate interview, Balsamo said “'Sandosenang Sapatos' is a milestone for Tanghalang Pilipino because it is the company’s first sung-through children’s musical.”

 

“I’m working for the first time with Layeta, who wrote a libretto that was poetic enough so that even the parts that are supposed to be dialogues can be turned into songs. Director Tuxqs embraced the sing-through challenge with eagle’s wings,” Balsamo said.

 

“There were moments we’ve been challenged, especially with the very young actors, to tell a seemingly simple story in a powerful way through a wonderful blend of light-hearted and dramatic elements that are easy for children and adults alike to grasp, appreciate, and understand,” he said.

 

'Messengers of Heroism'

 

Nanding Josef, artistic director of TP, the resident theater company of the CCP, said the themes of productions for this season are “Mensaheroes (Messengers of Heroism) and the strong images of different types of fathers, ranging from eternally loving fathers, overly ambitious fathers, fathers with deep convictions, father of a whole nation, to over-bearing dictatorial fathers.”

 

Other productions slated for this season are:

 

The re-staging of the highly-acclaimed “Ibalong, the Musical,” an epic that depicts the clash between light and darkness during the early days of creation. “Ibalong” celebrates local myths, superstitions, heroes, and battles. 

 

“Der Kaufmann” (Merchant of Venice) is a classic comedy dealing with a bitter and detested Jewish money-lender who seeks revenge against a Christian merchant who failed to pay a loan.

 

TP’s version will be different since it will be staged as “a play within a play” set at the time of the Holocaust, with Nazis directing Jewish “actors” to emphasize the dehumanizing effect of racism and intolerance. In this adaption, the viewers will choose between “love for a friend and love for money.”

 

“San Andres B., the Opera,” is being staged to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the great Andres Bonifacio on Nov. 30, 2013.

 

In partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), TP will produce the centerpiece for this year’s Bonifacio celebration, with this opera. National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario wrote the libretto based on his earlier novel on Bonifacio.

 

The modern opera in two acts dwells on the life, love, failures, and successes of Bonifacio, who is not known to be an “artist.” The opera will have a live orchestra accompaniment and professional opera singers and actors.

 

To close this season, “Mga Ama, Mga Anak” based on the book by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin’s “Three Generations” is being mounted to focus on “conflicts among generations” and to reflect on the important role a father plays in every household.

 

Joel Lamangan, an award-winning film, television, and theater director and actor directs, with Almario and Pete Lacaba as playwrights, Ramos as sound designer and Rutaquio as set and costume designer. —KG, GMA News

 

For more information, visit Tanghalang Pilipino’s official website or its Facebook page. For inquiries on ticket reservations,  email Cherry Bong Z. Edralin, TP’s marketing manager, at cherry_edralin888@yahoo.com or contact 0917-750-0107 or 0918-959-3949.