Last Two Days of Rizal X

The life story of our national hero Jose Rizal has been told on film, theatre, and television numerous times in the past. We have all heard of his "battle" against the oppressors that the Philippines was facing at the time. We all know how he was executed at Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park), and how he had died not seeing our country truly free from the Spanish (though his death came two years short of our independence from Spain). These thetre and film productions on his life come one after the other--so what else is new?

Dulaang UP, the offfical theatre group of the University of the Philippines, has been staging "Rizal X", a modern take on Jose Rizal, for the past few weeks now until tomorrow, August 14. This production seeks to make Jose Rizal relevant in the minds of today's youth, which is why they make use of popular media forms to tell Rizal's story, with a combination of interesting song-and-dance numbers, as well as some short video clips.

At one point in the play, they made use of some of the popular tunes of today to tell Rizal's story (think: Rebecca Black's "Friday", Katy Perry's "Firework" and even the University of Santo Tomas' famous "Go USTe! Go USTe, Go USTe, go go go!" cheer to tell about Rizal's stay in the University.) It was a lively performance that certainly kept the crowd going, and cheering after. Another highlight would have to be the part about Overseas Filipino Workers, where they tell of their sacrifices and how they have suffered abroad, and you can somehow relate this part to Rizal's own experiences overseas. 

The core message of the play, of course, is directed towards the youth--in this modern age, what are the youth of today actually doing for the country? Will the youth be actually willing to risk their lives for the country, just like Jose Rizal?

Catch the last two shows of Rizal X today and tomorrow at 3 pm, at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater at the 2nd floor of Palma Hall, University of the Philippines-Diliman--this is certainly a play you would not want to miss.