What Is Philippine Sarswela?

Author Edith Carli

Posted Jul 12, 2022

Reads 128

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The Philippines' sarswela is a unique and iconic form of traditional theatre that combines elements of European opera and Spanish zarzuela with indigenous Filipino music and dance. Sulat sarswela, or script-based sarswela, is the most common type of sarswela and is characterized by its use of rhyming lyrics. This type of sarswela often tells a love story or tragedy, and often features comic relief characters known as the komedya.

One of the most popular sarswela of all time is the play "Florante at Laura" by Francisco Baltazar (also known as Balagtas). This play tells the story of Florante, a young man who is in love with Laura, the daughter of a local governor. Florante is forced to leave Laura when he is exiled to another province. Laura is later betrothed to another man, but she remains true to her love for Florante. The play ends happily with the two lovers being reunited.

Sarswela are typically performed in open-air theatres called plazas, which are located in the centre of towns and villages. The stage is typically a large platform that is surrounded by a curtain. The curtain is opened and closed between scenes to signify changes in location. Sarswela are often performed during festivals or other special occasions.

Some of the most popular sarswela include "Noli Me Tangere" by Jose Rizal, "Ang Paglalayag" by Damiana Eugenio, "Walang Sugat" by Severino Reyes, and "Rizal sa Dapit ng Tirad Pass" by Antonio Abad.

What are the characteristics of a sarswela?

A sarswela is a type of musical theatre that originated in Spain and is still popular in the Philippines. It is characterized by its use of rhymed verse, song, and dance.

Sarswelas are typically light-hearted and often tell a love story. The dialogue is usually in verse, and the songs are often about love. The dance numbers are also often about love, and can be quite sensual.

Sarswelas are usually performed by a small cast of actors and actresses, with little to no scenery. The focus is on the music and the dance, and the costumes are often very colorful.

If you're looking for a fun, romantic evening out, then a sarswela is the perfect choice!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Philippine zarzuela?

Philippine zarzuela is a type of drama that originated in Spain, and includes singing and dancing on stage. The lyrics are alternatively spoken and sung in both operatic and popular styles. Different types of zarzuelas have evolved in several countries with Spanish heritage, including the Philippines. In the Philippines, the term "zarzuela" can refer to any dramatic work from the 19th century up to the present day, which uses Spanish popular traditions to tell traditional stories or poems. This aesthetic often features colorful costumes, lively music, and dance scenes.

How did the sarswela develop in the Philippines?

The sarswela in the Philippines developed from earlier forms of entertainment, such as storytellers or popular dances. Its roots can be traced back to the early 1800s, when Filipinos began to gather around storytellers to listen to their tales. Eventually, this folk entertainment evolved into theater, with storytellers turning professional and presenting plays to larger audiences. This new form of entertainment was called saynete (Tagalog for "stage"). As the sarswela developed, Spanish influence became apparent. This can be seen in the use of recitation as a form of storytelling, as well as elements such as musical accompaniment and stagedirection. Spanish theater also emphasized spectacle over narrative, setting a precedent for the elaborate stage effects that would become common in Filipino sarswela. The fusion of these two influences would ultimately result in what we today know as Philippine sarswela.

What is a sarswela?

A sarswela is a play with songs and dances usually written in prose, containing from one to five acts, depicting the vagaries of romantic love among idealized Filipino characters, and often incorporating contemporary social, political, economic or cultural issues for relevance and interest.

Is the sarswela a direct ancestor of the saynete?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as the two genres have various roots and influences. However, it can be said that the sarswela likely originated from the zarzuela, a popular Spanish theatrical form that originated in the 16th century. The term saynete may also have been derived from this format, as both were often performed by professional theater companies.

What is the history of sarswela Theatre?

The Tagalog “sarswela” theater originated in 1902, when Reyes wrote and staged his play Walang Sugat (Not wounded). The sarswela became the premiere form of Filipino theater in Manila from 1902 to the 1930s.

Edith Carli

Edith Carli

Writer at CGAA

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Edith Carli is a passionate and knowledgeable article author with over 10 years of experience. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley and her work has been featured in reputable publications such as The Huffington Post and Slate. Her focus areas include education, technology, food culture, travel, and lifestyle with an emphasis on how to get the most out of modern life.

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