With a performance done to “test limits, break boundaries, and widen views on society,” Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBRDC) showcased their skills as they perform another stage play entitled “theArt Beat: Deafying Limits” as part of the Lasallian Arts Month and Fringe Manila activities at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Theater last February 12.
Among the 17 cast members from SBRDC hip hop and nine (9) from SBRDC contemporary, were students from School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) and Jaime Hilario Integrated School-La Salle (JHIS-LS) of Bagac, Bataan, where the Office of Culture and Arts (OCA) continuously conducts their theater, dance, and music workshops.
The concept of the said play showed the capacity and ability of a person to inspire others, despite his/her disability by working to achieve their goals and “[breaking] the barriers society has set upon him or her.”
About the play
In a statement made by SBRDC Coach Mycs Villoso, Deafying Limits Director Cedrick Donato, and Rhea Atok, one of the Set/Props Heads, they said that their concept was inspired by their Deaf teammates, Mark Camba and Joric Relimbo.
“It was the first time in SBRDC history that Deaf dancers became part of our team,” they said. “We felt the need to show the entire CSB community how important this was and how much it changed us all as dancers and individuals.”
The main characters in the play were Tim Robes, a Deaf student who played the role “Tim,” Jozelle Palacios as “Jozelle,” Tim’s sister, and Paul Liggayu as “Paul.” Different scenes were utilized in the duration of the play which included showdowns and acting throughout the individual, dual, and group performances. A competition consisting of seven dance groups concluded the presentation which included D’ Silent WonDevers of the SDEAS, Indak Hilarians of JHIS-LS, Beat Street which includes the main character “Tim,” among others.
Sharing the idea
Villoso, Donato and Atok also shared the message of their play which is to focus on abilities, to not let disabilities stop somebody from doing what they want, as well as to change the way they think as a team as exemplified by a “meaningful production [that] is far more important than winning all the competitions” they joined.
“Defying your limits is easier and worthwhile when you not only think of yourself, but others,” they stated. “It’s about being an inspiration, for we all started by being inspired by the dance community around us.”
They also gave emphasis on the repeated line in the story which is “a great adventure awaits you every single day, no matter who you are, you better be ready for it when it comes” which for them applies to everyone.
Production journey
For them, they were able to make the two companies of SBRDC come together and be stronger in camaraderie as a team. The production was able to combine two different communities into one producing meaningful and high quality work.
“Yes, it would take a lot of effort, understanding and patience, but it is all and always worthwhile,” they shared. “All in all, it just shows that when ‘Our heart beats as one’, we can do anything.”
In terms of experience, they said that it was a “new and fun”, although at first they encountered communication barriers with the Deaf often causing the Deaf to feel left out. This experience led to the development of the SDEAS modules for all the OCA members.
“This production was inevitable, because the Deaf Community within CSB is continuously growing and getting stronger year by year,” they mentioned. “The SDEAS modules provided by OCA only improved our integration and better acculturated us to the Deaf Community.”
“We humbly thank OCA for pushing us and challenging us to make a production like this, to be given the chance to take the reins and put our ideas out there,” they concluded. “We hope to get better and better each year.”
Photos by Joriel Bataan
