“Moro-moro “ mounted once again by MarSU BCAEd students

Mogpog, Marinduque – As a culminating activity for the Summer or Midyear term of the Marinduque State University (MarSU) Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education (BCAEd) from the College of Education (CoEd), mounted the Moro-moro excerpts from Anapog-Sibucao with permission from its culture-bearers of the town.

Derived from the original script, handed down from generation to the next, the BCAEd students rendered the highlights of the King Proteslao and Princess Eucariz unlikely love story. Based from the Spanish Comedia, popularized in the Philippines as Komedya since 1598 in celebration of religious feastivities and civil festivals. It reached the shores of Marinduque islands between 18 to 19th centuries alongside the origins of Catholicism and moryonan practice in Mogpog.

Among the most applauded scenes were the appearance of the fearsome lion and the court jesters from the Christian and Muslim sides. Although most of the BCAEd students were female, they exerted much effort to portray the swordplay and close combat by male protagonists and antagonists from opposing sides.

Komedya, specifically Moro-moro, has many reiterations from different places in the country, like linambay in Cebu, arakyo in Nueva Ecija, along with religious plays such as senakulo and tibag practiced in Baler, Ilocos, Iligan, and Parañaque. Moro-moro is characterized by colorful costumes, lively music, fight scenes, audacious poetic lines, and comic relief by pusong or lukayo.  # Randy T. Nobleza, Ph.D.