By Daniel Brace
Like many people in the west, I have a big, beautiful, blended family. And while I don’t have a claim to the same cultural diaspora, my half siblings sometimes make fun of my eagerness to embrace their Filo-ness as their Kuya – elder brother.
Theatre-maker and performer Ricardo Magno knows all about the complexities of being at a distance from culture, both as a migrant himself and a keen observer of intergenerational cultural dynamics.
His new show at the Bowery Theatre is called The Encounters – Mga Salubong and is an original Filipino monodrama that explores themes of identity and migration through folklore.
Originally from Manila, Ricardo holds a Master’s degree in Theatre Directing from the University of Melbourne, where he currently teaches acting. This year, he received a Palanca Award for Literature, often dubbed as ‘The Pulitzer of the Philippines.’
“Our aim is to reach the Filipino diaspora and also share our culture to the wider Melbourne audience, as we hope to add Filipino folklore to intercultural storytelling in Australian theatre,” says Ricardo.
“Many artists from the Philippines are aware of our role in helping strengthen our national identity. The Filipino identity is complex; we come from many regions, with various indigenous practices, and with a vast colonial history. Here in Australia, there are many Filipino migrants and Filipino-Australians who want to connect or reconnect with our culture.”
The Encounters – Mga Salubong is about a young Filipino woman on a journey of discovery, who is drawn to the folklore told to her by her ailing grandmother.
Reality is blended with magic and mythology as the grandmother narrates her history, and the audience is left to contemplate which parts are memory and which parts are myth.
“There are many different migrant communities in the west, which means there may be various perspectives and ways of living. Through the arts, we get to celebrate our identities and better understand one another’s cultures,” Richardo said.
“This theatre production is not just for Filipinos, but is also an invitation to those who want to learn more about Philippine culture. I want to share with the audience how theatre can be a magical and transformative experience.”
The Encounters – Mga Salubong is on at the Bowery Theatre in St Albans.
For tickets and more information go to creativebrimbank.com.au/theencounters.
