The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Boy Villasanta
The Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF) or Philstagers was caught flat-footed when members of the Department of Education (DepEd) came to the Skydome at the SM North EDSA Sunday afternoon where “Juan Luna Isang Sarsuela” was showing and tried to prohibit its playing.
“DepEd came to stop our production,” exclaimed Vince Tanada, the producer, director, actor and writer of the zarzuela about the life and times of visual artist Juan Luna who painted the controversial ang award-winning “Spolarium.”
Tanada said DepEd threatened to halt the showing of their production because of telling the truth about the life of Juan Luna.
“Why do they have to stop people who are telling the truth?” asked Vince lamentably before thousands of spectators gathered in the hall Sunday evening.
“We are artists and artists have the right to express truths about life. The zarzuela is to enlighten the minds of these students here,” spoke Tanada who was passionately embittered by the incident.
According to him, the students who came all the way from various parts of the country paid for the showing of a literary piece which was a revelation about the real story behind the controversial life of Luna.
He said the students have the right to watch the stage play.
“Education is not only in the classroom. It is also here in the theater,” quipped the film, TV and stage artist which was applauded by the students.
After an explanation with the DepEd people, “Juan Luna Isang Sarsuela” was unfolded onstage which was a hit among the audiences composed mostly of students from all levels.