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The famed “Performatura,” a festival of written words and performances initiated by literary giant Vim Nadera with the joint collaboration of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is here again.
After the global invasion of the deadly COVID-19 when entertainment and cultural shows were all put on hold and the viewing public was deprived of diversion and information sourced out from on-site watching from three long years, the popular gig is back with a vengeance.
“Ngayon ay malaya na ulit tayong lahat sa personal na pagtatanghal (We are free again to showcase our talents personally),” exclaimed Vim at the newly restored Kamuning Bakery in Judge Damian Jimenez Street in Quezon City.
With the theme “Performatura Goes Pop,” the three-day event on March 31 to April 2, 2023 at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez Black Box Theater, presents performances, poetry readings, multi-arts workshops, literary talks, spoken word sessions, poetry contest, film screening, book launches, book and art fair and interviews with renowned writers.
According to Nadera, the first day of the festival—dubbed “Unbox@Blackbox”—focuses on literature on social media in its morning session. Vlogger entrepreneur Carlo Ople launches his creative non-fiction book “Suweldo is Not Enough.” There will be a panel of speakers, sneaker shoe auction, and a poetry performance by Hannah Leceña.
Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s “Brutal” written by her fellow National Artist for Film and Broadcast Ats Ricky Lee who will do a talk back session after the screening.
The second day of the festival centers on the art of spoken word, headlined by the Ampalaya Monologues, Philippines’ premier spoken word collective headed by its founder Mark Ghosn.
At the Spoken Camp, a page-to-stage writing workshop, participants will have the chance to develop their writing skills; a talk on performing written poetry by the National Artist for Literature Gemino Abad will also take place. Spoken Fest will feature the hottest spoken word artists, backed by indie music. Spoken Night, an open mic session, will give a platform to aspiring poets to share their voice and stories.
Dubbed “Araw ni Balagtas,” Performatura pays tribute and celebrates the 149th birth anniversary of Francisco Baltazar on the last day of the festival.
National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario speaks about the significance of Bataan in the life of Balagtas; followed by performances by teachers and students of Bataan High School for the Arts, and multi-arts workshops at 2 pm.
Capping the festival will be the KamPerformatura’s offering of poetry and performances by the youth participants which will kick start the Tanghal Makata 2023, the Performatura-born competition. Spoken word expert Mark Ghosn, poet performer Kooky Tuason, and authentic mambabalagtas from Bulacan Melandro Pascual are some of the judges. Librarian Juireo Abela of Lucena City, the Tanghal-Makata 2021 will present the Sam Penaso trophy and laurel sculpture by poet Raul Funilas to the next winner. The closing segment is presented by GSIS Museum, LIRA, and Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL).
After the Black Box event, “Performatura” will do provincial tours.
During the presscon, poet Jose Dalisay recited one of his beautiful poems while journalist Wilson Lee Flores reminded the members of the press that great leaders like Joe Biden, Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Mao Tse Tung are literary figures as well. (Boy Villasanta with reports from CCP Publicity Department).