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Atang Dela Rama: Pioneer of Filipino Theater

Honorata "Atang" Dela Rama was a pioneering Filipina singer and actress who was named a National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Music. She fought for kundiman folk songs and sarsuela musical plays, and brought Filipino culture to audiences worldwide before her death in 1991. Lamberto Avellana was the first National Artist for Film, directing acclaimed movies in the 1940s-1950s that helped develop the Filipino film industry. Rolando Tinio is a National Artist for Theater and Literature known for his work as an actor, writer, and educator. Salvador Bernal earned the award of National Artist for Theater and Design through his influential body of over 300 artistic

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1K views2 pages

Atang Dela Rama: Pioneer of Filipino Theater

Honorata "Atang" Dela Rama was a pioneering Filipina singer and actress who was named a National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Music. She fought for kundiman folk songs and sarsuela musical plays, and brought Filipino culture to audiences worldwide before her death in 1991. Lamberto Avellana was the first National Artist for Film, directing acclaimed movies in the 1940s-1950s that helped develop the Filipino film industry. Rolando Tinio is a National Artist for Theater and Literature known for his work as an actor, writer, and educator. Salvador Bernal earned the award of National Artist for Theater and Design through his influential body of over 300 artistic

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  • Lamberto V. Avellana
  • Honorata “Atang” Dela Rama
  • Rolando S. Tinio
  • Salvador F. Bernal

THEATER

1. Honorata “Atang” Dela Rama

Honorata de la Rama-Hernandez (January 11, 1902 – July 11, 1991), commonly known as
Atang de la Rama, was a singer and bodabil performer who became the first Filipina film actress
Atang de la Rama was born in Pandacan, Manila on January 11, 1902. By the age of 7, she
was already starring in Spanish zarzuelas such as Mascota, Sueño de un Vals, and Marina. At
the age of 15, she starred in the sarsuela Dalagang Bukid, where she became known for
singing the song, Nabasag na Banga.
During the American occupation of the Philippines, Atang de la Rama fought for the dominance
of the kundiman, an important Philippine folk song, and the sarsuela, which is a musical play
that focused on contemporary Filipino issues such as usury, cockfighting, and colonial mentality.
Generations of Filipino artists and audiences consider Atang de la Rama's vocal and acting
talents as responsible for much of the success of original Filipino sarsuelas like Dalagang Bukid,
and dramas like Veronidia. She has also been a theatrical producer, writer and talent manager.
She was the producer and the writer of plays such as Anak ni Eva and Bulaklak ng
Kabundukan. For her achievements and contributions to the art form, she was hailed Queen of
the Kundiman and of the Sarsuela in 1979, at the age of 74.
Atang believed that art should be for everyone; not only did she perform in major Manila
theaters such as the Teatro Libertad and the Teatro Zorilla, but also in cockpits and open plazas
in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. She also made an effort to bring the kundiman and
sarsuela to the indigenous peoples of the Philippine such as the Igorots, the Aetas, and the
Mangyans. She was also at the forefront of introducing Filipino culture to foreign audiences. At
the height of her career, she sang kundimans and other Filipino songs in concerts in such cities
as Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
On May 8, 1987, "for her sincere devotion to original Filipino theater and music, her outstanding
artistry as singer, and as sarsuela actress-playwright-producer, her tireless efforts to bring her
art to all sectors of Filipino society and to the world," President Corazon C. Aquino proclaimed
Atang de la Rama a National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Music.
Atang de la Rama died on July 11, 1991. She was married to National Artist for Literature,
Amado V. Hernandez.

2. Lamberto Avellana
Lamberto Vera Avellana (February 12, 1915 – April 25, 1991) was a prominent Filipino film and
stage director. Despite considerable budgetary limitations that hampered the post-war Filipino
film industry, Avellana's films such as Anak Dalita and Badjao attained international acclaim. In
1976, Avellana was named by President Ferdinand Marcos as the first National Artist of the
Philippines for Film. While Avellana remains an important figure in Filipino cinema, his
reputation as a film director has since been eclipsed by the next wave of Filipino film directors
who emerged in the 1970s, such as Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal.
3. Rolando S. Tinio

Rolando Tinio is a Philippine National Artist for Theater and Literature. He was born in
Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila on March 5, 1937. As a child, Tinio was fond of organizing and
directing his playmates for costumed celebrations. He was an active participant in the Filipino
movie industry and enjoyed working with Philippine celebrities who he himself had admired in
his childhood. Tinio himself became a film actor and scriptwriter. He is often described as a
religious, well-behaved and gifted person. Tinio graduated with honors (a magna cum laude
achiever) with a degree in Philosophy from the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas
at age 18 in 1955 and an M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing: Poetry from the University of Iowa.

4. Salvador F. Bernal

Salvador Floro Bernal (January 7, 1945 – October 26, 2011) was an artist from the Philippines.
Bernal's career began in 1969. His output included over 300 productions in art, film and music,
and earned him the award of National Artist for Theater and Design in 2003. He earned a
philosophy degree in 1966 from the Ateneo de Manila University where he would later teach
literature and stage design.
Bernal organized the Philippine Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians (Patdat) in
1995, through which he introduced Philippine theater design to the world.
The book “Salvador F. Bernal: Designing the Stage” by Nicanor G. Tiongson, is a
comprehensive review of Bernal’s work as designer for theater, with over 200 full-color
photographs of his sketches, models, and actual costumes and sets complementing the text.

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Lamberto Avellana’s work evolved by creatively navigating limitations such as budgetary constraints which characterized the post-war Filipino film industry. Despite these challenges, he produced films like Anak Dalita and Badjao that not only garnered international acclaim but also forged a pathway for Filipino cinema development. His ability to tell compelling stories with limited resources demonstrated resilience and adaptability, establishing a foundational basis for future filmmakers in the industry .

Lamberto Avellana's contributions to Filipino cinema achieved international recognition through his films like Anak Dalita and Badjao, which received acclaim despite significant budgetary constraints faced by the post-war Filipino film industry. His ability to produce impactful films on limited budgets highlighted the potential of Filipino cinema on the international stage, and his achievements led to him being the first National Artist for Film in the Philippines, imparting a lasting influence that introduced global audiences to Filipino narratives .

Atang de la Rama and Amado V. Hernandez, as National Artists in Theater and Literature respectively, exemplified a collaborative power couple whose combined influence significantly bolstered Filipino arts and culture. Atang’s leadership in theater promoted Filipino music and drama, while Hernandez’s literary work often addressed social justice, providing a comprehensive cultural vision that integrated artistic expression with societal issues. Together, their mutual support and shared national recognition underlined the importance of arts in reflecting and shaping Filipino identity .

Salvador Bernal transformed theater design in the Philippines through his extensive contributions as evidenced by his involvement in over 300 productions. His influence extended internationally by organizing the Philippine Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians in 1995, which introduced Philippine theater design to the global stage. His work, captured in the book “Salvador F. Bernal: Designing the Stage,” showcases a comprehensive collection of his sketches, models, and actual costumes and sets, highlighting his innovative approach and aesthetic sensibilities within theater design .

Rolando Tinio's academic background, with a magna cum laude degree in Philosophy from the University of Santo Tomas and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing: Poetry from the University of Iowa, significantly enriched his contributions to Filipino theater and literature. His education provided a strong foundation in both critical thinking and creativity, allowing him to excel as a playwright, director, and actor. His philosophical insights and creative prowess facilitated his ability to innovate and elevate Filipino theater and literature, earning him recognition as a National Artist in these fields .

Atang de la Rama facilitated cultural exchange by performing Filipino songs and theatrical pieces in international cities like Hawaii, San Francisco, and Tokyo, among others. Her performances introduced and shared elements of Filipino culture, such as the kundiman and sarsuela, with foreign audiences, thereby serving as cultural ambassadors and fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation .

Salvador Bernal's strategic approach to enhancing the international visibility of Philippine theater design included organizing the Philippine Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians (Patdat) in 1995, which served as a platform for the international exchange of ideas and practices. His initiative allowed for a greater appreciation and understanding of Philippine aesthetics in global theater, thus contributing to the internationalization of Filipino cultural expressions through innovative design and collaborative ventures .

Atang de la Rama significantly contributed to Filipino cultural arts by promoting the kundiman and sarsuela, performing not only in major theaters in Manila but also reaching audiences in cockpits and open plazas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. She worked to bring these art forms to indigenous groups like the Igorots, Aetas, and Mangyans. Atang de la Rama also played a role in introducing Filipino culture to international audiences, performing in cities such as Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, among others, and was recognized for her efforts by being proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Music by President Corazon C. Aquino in 1987 .

The National Artist recognition for Atang de la Rama underscored her extensive contributions in promoting Filipino arts, honoring her as a pivotal figure in the preservation and dissemination of traditional Filipino music and theater. This recognition not only affirmed her lifelong dedication to the arts but also elevated the cultural status and historical importance of the kundiman and sarsuela within the national and international cultural arenas .

Atang de la Rama broadened the appeal and accessibility of the sarsuela and kundiman by performing in a variety of venues beyond traditional theaters, such as cockpits and open plazas, thereby reaching a wider audience across different regions of the Philippines. She also ensured these art forms reached indigenous communities and represented Filipino culture in international arenas by performing in various global cities. Her tireless efforts to disseminate these art forms to diverse audiences consolidated her role in their enduring popularity .

THEATER 1. Honorata “Atang” Dela Rama Honorata de la Rama-Hernandez (January 11, 1902 – July 11, 1991), commonly known as At
3. Rolando S. Tinio Rolando Tinio is a Philippine National Artist for Theater and Literature. He was born in Gagalangin, Ton

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