Banaag at Sikat

BANAAG AT SIKAT: A ROCK MUSICAL

REACTION PAPER

BACKGROUND:

According to my research, the literary work “Banaag at Sikat” was written by Lope K. Santos in 1906. Known to be the “Bible of the Filipino laborers”, the story talked about how powerful wealth is when it comes to love and societal standing. However it also discussed about some moves to oppose the wealthy people in their wrong doings.

In the modernized and musical version of the story, libretto (lyrics and lines) were written by Bienvenido Lumbera, and harmonized with then music of Lucien Letaba. Furthermore, the production was designed by Salvador Bernal, Jr. and was directed by Jose Estrella.

SUMMARY:

The story revolves around the character of Felipe and Delfin. Delfin is a socialist. He believes that the society that works should have the rights to enjoy whatever is the fruit of their labour. He was raised from a poor family and he is studying law. He believes that fairness in the society can only be achieved in a peaceful way, a battle that doesn’t need even a single blood to shed. On the other hand, Felipe is an anarkista. He believes in forceful eradication of the wealthy people who uses their power against the middle class and the labourers.

Don Ramon Miranda has two daughters- Meni and Talia (Married to a lawyer Honorio Madlang-Layon). Delfin fell in love with Meni, but her father is against their relationship. He did everything just to stop them but the two were unstoppable. They met without the knowledge of their family, and then she became pregnant. The married couple, Talia and Yoyong, made it possible for Delfin and Meni to meet and tell the status of Meni. Delfin asked Meni for marriage and told him that no matter what, they will not leave each other. Then Talia was able to tell her father that her sister is pregnant, so he let her daughter be with Delfin .

As a married couple, they lived in a natural habitant of the poor and lived as ordinary couple. Then Meni gave birth...