As the first offering of Dulaang UP’s 35TH season, Francisco Baltazar’s Orosman at Zafira packs a powerful punch, entertaining audiences with its myriad of cultural mysticism and dynamic performances. With the enchanting voices that lyrically weaved the komedya’s story of human love and love for power, Orosman at Zafira enthralls the audience with its commanding neo-ethnic music as the tribes restage the old story-telling dance festivities in our life-long heritage.
Bloodlines
This tale breaks the comedic notion of Baltazar’s time to deliver a story of two lovers set apart in a war-torn land. Three powerful tribes represent themselves through commanding movements: Marueccos, majestic and just; the Tedenst, cunning and proud; and the Duquela, savage yet valiant.
As Zelima, the stage play’s narrator (and thereafter reveals as the daughter of Ben-Asar of Tedenst), predicts the terror and battle in their land which eventually results to deaths due to thirst for power. The flow of the story runs amongst the exploits of the members of each tribe as they quench their hunger for power and the same time continue their pursuit for love.
Grace and Tenacity
Every character’s facet is given equal emphasis as they dance and sing their way to a very memorable performance. From Zelima’s death knell to Zafira’s cry for help, from Abdalap’s declarative boasts to Orosman’s affectionate courtship, from Gulnara’s predisposition of saving her love Aldervesin from the wrath of sultan Mahamud of Marruecos to avenging Mahamud and Mahamud’s daughter Zafira in the end, every note is sung effectively and gracefully. As a stark contrast however, the choreographed fight sequences and skirmishes are a wonder to behold with every back-flip or forward kick radiating the tenacity and heart that every performer pours into each one’s craft.
Nostalgic Ingenuity
The set of Orosman at Zafira is well prepared in such a way that the lights are aglow and frolicking during the dance at the feast but melodramatic and dim during the death scenes. Additionally, the props play significant roles in setting the mood for every scene with the stage in constant flux as every broom grass section shifts with precision and the backstage doors double-up as viewing panels to highlight the main characters’ situation, the tribes’ constant struggle, and other significant evidences which may or may not include any of the main characters.
In terms of visual presentation through the character’s clothing, costumes merit unrivalled praise as they give a whole new dimension to the character’s persona. From the coveted crown (a bracer adorned with precious jewels) to the handcrafted swords and skirts with intricate designs, these are testaments of the hard work and dedication of the production team.
Rhythmic Distinction
The one of a kind experience that the musical team provided originally for Orosman at Zafira is truly noteworthy. The drumbeats that signal the start of the war, the harmony of the guitar and the beauty of the gangsa resound throughout the feasts and the other-worldly chants that wrap the audiences with spell binding results. The music enriches the fabric of culture that the story weaves making it a distinct and very critical part of the production. With every beat, harmony, and melody, the music made each scene convincing as war and love begins.
Beyond Parallelism
As the characters portray how human love can overpower bloodlines and the laws of their tribe, each character also struggle with conquering power. Boulasem, sultan of Tedenst, fears for his own thrown thus seeking for the ultimate power becomes his greatest weapon. His thirst for control starts the war of tribes and the war of love. While he assigns each of his sons Abdalap and Orosman to aid him in obtaining the utmost power, both sons seek the throne in Zafira’s heart.
Orosman at Zafira clearly depicts how a leader’s word is unbreakable and that anyone against it should welcome death. While Gulnara and Aldervesin can continue their affair for the second time around, Boulasem orders his son Abdalap to marry Gulnara. But due to Abadalap’s own hunger for power and Zafira’s love, he is faced with the last resort of killing his own father for his own selfish goals. What used to be a love for father and family, fury-filled brothers Orosman and Abdalap battle for Zafira and again, for power.
Towards the end of Boulasem’s reign, although Zafira longs for Orosman, her duty as Mahamud’s daughter and heir of the throne remains in her blood and whole being. Tragedy as it is, Zafira has dealt with the curse of loving her father’s enemy who in the end gains the throne. The never-ending war of tribes is both the end and the beginning of a new regime.
Simply Patriarchal
Hints of patriarchal society weave through the character’s dialogues and situations. Gulnara, though her heart yearns for Aldervesin, is treated as a mere object without feelings when she is chosen as Mahamud’s spouse and later on, Abadalap’s. Women are also treated as weak entities in the tribe without voice, as Boulasem mockingly laughs at Zafira for avenging her father and leading the tribe of Marueccos. While it is only apt for either Gulnara or Zafira to become successors of their own tribe, both women become slaves under Boulasem’s reign. Though Zelim, sultan of Duquela, chooses to side with the Marueccos, his position as leader of Duquela remains intact.
Destined for Greatness
The audience is in for a wonderful experience of going through the mind of Francisco Baltazar as told through the visionary eyes of Director and Choreographer Dexter M. Santos. The compelling depth of the narrative, the gracefulness of the actors, the spirit and vigor of the dance choreographies, the ruthlessness and bloodlust of the fight scenes coupled with the enchanting musical scores and the intricate costumes and props all account for a captivating production that is Orosman at Zafira. This production is truly a fitting start to the 35TH season of Dulaang UP to ignite the audience’s love for the theatre and to rekindle the passion for the performing arts.
Orosman at Zafira Official Photos
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