1st MAHAYAN Cultural Society comes to Batan
By Philippine Information Agency

Some sixty students of the Itbayat National Agriculture High School won applause during the 5-night-cultural show in Basco and Mahatao last February 2001. Two big figures behind the MAHAYAN CULTURAL SOCIETY are its organizers Mr. Victor Ilac and Mrs. Cecilia G. Antas both teachers INAHS. The 2-hour show was full-pack of selected Philippine dances, Filipino and English songs expressing perfect match of nationalism and religious hymns, Ivatan songs, and modified Ivatan dances accented by native implements.

Itbayat, Batanes. Photo: Phil. Info. Agency - Batanes

The parts were impressive and made more applaudable by the excellent performance and discipline among participants throughout the show. If there have been a six night, the hall would also be full, a three-timer viewer said.

The earliest part presented dances that were accessorized by Ivatan native "soot" headgear with "yuvok", basket for root crop and the "kanayi" paired with "kalapay" for boys. The naïve working protectors from sun and rain were paraphernalia that went well with the dances.

MAHAYAN was drawn from ancestral or original name of the Itbayat community or settlement, known as MAYAN.

Values and points observed during the show are the following, which are worthy to be sustained.

1. Time management. There were no unnecessary gaps that may bore the audience. At an informal interview with Mr. Ilac he said he conducted Theatre Arts Workshops before the training/practicing proper. He believes that the workshop is a prerequisite and a disciplinary element. He was a timer in all moves, from the dressing, the mobilization from the dressing room to the stage to the actual performance. No matter how many times the participant needs to change his costume and to retouch, everything is under time pressure.
   
   
2. Performances were as natural as it was intended. That made it so excellent.
   
   
3. Costume effect. The costumes were fittingly matched to the parts. Costume has great weight to any presentation.
   
   
4. Concentration. There were at least fifteen formations done by the choir while songs were on. No conductor, no prompter. And singing more than 15 memorized songs, chorally, needs concentration.
   
   
5. Discipline. This was achieved because all of the aforementioned were the pillars to its success.

Due to lack of funds to shoulder fare of students that exceeded 60, other dances taught by Mr. Ilac were not shown in Batan.

Mr. Ilac is not a PE major; he is a Physics teacher. His artistic skills are credited to having been consistent member of a dance troupe up to college. His support staff and co-trainer Mrs. Cecilia G. Antas Filipino and PEAM teachers are most congratulated.