THE staging of The Legend of M (Si Maria Makiling at mga Nuno sa Punso) will open come February 1, 2014 (3pm and 7pm) at the Abelardo Hall UP College of Diliman, Quezon City.
The University of the Philippines College of Music Alumni Association (UPCMuAA), in cooperation with the UP College of Music, the Fides Cuyugan Asensio Institute of Music and Arts (FCAIMA), and the UP Office for the Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA), welcomes the viewers of this beautiful musical play as the UP Diliman celebrate their memorable Arts month.
Written by UP College of Music professor emerita Fides Cuyugan Asensio with music composed by Jeannelle and Raymond Roldan and, The Legend of M is Cuyugan Asensio’s retelling of the legend of Maria Makiling.
Aside from its cultural intent, this musical for the millennials brings a message of wildlife conservation and environmental preservation which aims to promote good values and character building to the current generation.
“It is our objective to offer and present this work not just for the sole purpose of entertainment but rather to advance our advocacy which is to help educate the youth through music theater and the performing arts to value, protect and care for the environment,” said Mr. Greg A. de Leon, UPCMuAA president.
The Legend of M (Si Maria Makiling at ang mga Nuno sa Punso), is the oft told legend of the Maria Makiling mountain range is the core of this delightful musical wherein a diwata (priestess or goddess played by Fame Flores) is sent by Bathala (played by Joey Ayala) in human form with gifts of gold and other riches for the impoverished village people in the area of Laguna.
She has been instructed by Bathala to never fall in love or have a dalliance with any mortal.
Disobeying, she incurs the wrath of Bathala and is turned to stone–the long flowing hair, breasts, abdomen, knees, and lap outlined on a clear day against the blue Laguna skies.
The musical as conceptualized (story and lyrics) by UP College of Music Professor Fides Cuyugan Asensio and set to music by the husband and wife team of Raymond and Jeannelle Roldan also deals with environmental and character building issues.
It begins with a prologue set in the present in spoken and sung lyrics with music accompaniment leading to the legend itself which is set to an interesting mix of ethnic and western instrumental music. The legend unfolds in a setting of a long ago undetermined past and returns to the present (epilogue) with a clever twist of characters and events. Emphasis is given to environmental issues and character building for a 21st century which is now facing a total breakdown of civilized global society.
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