Through the Bamboo

Through the Bamboo is a play created from the Samal myth of Tuan Putli and Manik Buangsi (Philippine Mythology), by playwrights Andrea Mapili and Byron Abalos. The play, itself, is steeped in tradition, and readers will note the resemblance to fairy tales, legends, and myths from other cultural histories.

The play tells the story of how 12-year-old Philly, while mourning the death of her beloved Lola (grandmother), comes upon a box of items, marked “For Philly”, that her Lola has left her. Within the contents of the box, Philly finds the storybook, Through the Bamboo, that her Lola used to read to her, as well as a malong, or traditional hand-woven multi-coloured cloth, bearing a variety of geometric or okir designs, and used for a variety of purposes, including as a garment. Philly puts the malong on, hears her Lola’s voice singing, and Philly is transported into the pages of the old storybook.

By being transported into the “living pages” of the Samal myth, Philly takes on the role of the saviour sister, Nale, and the heroine’s quest/journey begins, one where other characters from the myth are introduced and play significant roles in the retelling of this traditional Philippine myth. There are characters who help guide Philly and others who will do everything in their power to stop her from saving the land of Uwi. In the land of Uwi, stories have been declared evil and are banned. A collection of creatures includes demon horses, talking shrimp, part bird-part human, Ekeks, and many others who have specific parts to play in Philly’s understanding of her people’s ways, including the reason why her Lola, and Philly, herself, are so important to the saving of the land of Uwi and the saving of the traditional stories.

Through the Bamboo was first produced by Uwi Collective Factory Theatre Mainstage as part of the 2019 Toronto Fringe Festival, and, probably, the best way to approach this play is to have a group of Filipinx actors perform it for the students. There is mention made in the “Casting” that “Filipinx actors are preferred, if unavailable then Asian, if unavailable then persons of colour.” Because the play is dedicated to the correct telling of the Samal Myth, the playbook includes, the Playwright’s Notes, a Glossary, a collection of Songs and Nursery Rhymes, and a listing of Characters with definitions included from Philippine Mythology.

The play, itself, could be incorporated as a way to study Filipinx culture, and, before the play is staged or seen, an invitation could be issued to Filipinx elders to come into the classroom and support the students' understanding of a cultural background with which they may be unfamiliar.

Through the Bamboo is a lively retelling of the traditional Samal Myth, with an interwoven modern day character, Philly, who struggles with her own understanding of how she fits in the modern world around her, and who, at the same time, holds on to her family’s important traditions. There is an engaging mix of humour, culture, action, and adventure in this play that is sure to entertain while, at the same time, being culturally informative and steeped in valuable life lessons.