In a haunting exploration of survival and morality, May Isang Alamat, directed by Carlos Palanca awardee and Benilde Film professor Joshua Lim So, brings to life multi-awarded playwright Layeta Bucoy's powerful tale of desperation and human connection in a post-apocalyptic world. This gripping one-act play challenges audiences to confront the fragile boundaries of ethics in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Tears and blood were shed as May Isang Alamat by Layeta Bucoy—a Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall of Famer—was brought to life by Aninag Theatre, a group of Theater Arts students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) from Nov. 22 to 29 at the 6th Floor, Black Box, Benilde Design and Arts (D+A) Campus.
Folktale’s prologue
Set in a post-apocalyptic world after humanity has depleted the Earth of its resources, the play begins with Batang Walang Silbi (Lindsey Corral) narrating the island’s legend. It followed up with the leader's arrival, Pinuno (Rianne Ang), and her renouncement of the legend’s authenticity.
As sustenance for the inhabitants of their land, Tagakatay (Lenard Bulosa) bears the responsibility of chopping fellow inhabitants of the island before letting his wife, Tagaluto (Hosanna Samonte) cook the flesh and organs. Swallowing their kin is a part of their norm and routine. But everything changed when Tagakatay cleaved his daughter, Batang Walang Silbi’s finger.
The couple, in the wake of Batang Walang Silbi’s injury, caught themselves in the crossfire of discovering the concept of love and their primal instincts. This leads them to seek a new way of living, one that values humanity over mere nourishment and provisions.
Between the lines
Themes of human survival, greed, and environmental disruption were explored during the 80-minute one-act play. May Isang Alamat shed light on the harrowing struggle for survival, where what remains is the connection forged through each bite of flesh, binding souls in a tragic communion of sacrifice and despair.
At its heart, the play probes the murky waters of ethics in the face of survival. It invites the audience to ponder the lengths one would go when stripped of all comforts and safety. The characters’ moral struggles reveal the fragile line between right and wrong, illuminated by the dim light of desperation.
Greed emerges as a critical force driving the characters' actions and decisions throughout the play. In a world where resources are scarce, the desperation for survival breeds a ravenous hunger that transcends mere physical need. This insatiable greed not only leads to cannibalism but also distorts the bonds of family and community.
Ultimately, the play leaves the audience with a profound sense of ambivalence, challenging one to grapple with uncomfortable truths about human nature. It raises a crucial question about the ethics of survival: Is it possible to retain one’s humanity when confronted with the most primal instincts? This speaks to the depths of despair but also hints at the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
May Isang Alamat is a haunting exploration of the human condition, a tapestry woven with threads of survival, love, and the quest for meaning in a world stripped of hope. The play challenges people to reflect on their values and evaluate the lengths one might traverse for survival, leaving the audience with a bittersweet sense of hope amidst the shadows.
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