“MORO-MORO”

         

         The Moro-Moro dance is the earliest form of theater performing in the Philippines starting. In 1650. It is part of their cultural routine when entertaining their visitors. the dance is a play based on two poems the    "awit" & "corrido" that spread across the Philippines around 1610. it usually shows the struggles between Christians and non-Christians.

          What is Moro Moro?

       The MORO-MORO like the Cenaculo, is presented also on a special stage. This is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of their Christian religion. 

                     Example: “Prinsipe Rodante”

         The earliest known form of organized theater is the comedia, or moro-moro, created by Spanish priests. In 1637 a play was written to dramatize the recent capture by a Christian Filipino army of an Islamic stronghold. It was so popular that other plays were written and staged as folk dramas in Christianize villages...

       The term moro-moro refers to a type of folk drama performed in villages throughout the Philippines, usually during fiestas. Although each village's moro-moro is a little different in terms of treatment, all are full of romance and melodrama, and the highpoint is always a battle between Muslims and Christians. Local people write the script, which is in verse, and some performances include quite elaborate scenery and costumes. Music and dance are also part of the production.

          One of the most notable moro-moros is held in San Dionisio in Rizal Province, where the drama is performed in the church and the village square every spring, usually in April or May.


FACTS:      

           The Moro-Moro dance expresses the love, deeds and different adventure of the kings, queens, princess and dukes. it also shows different creatures such as lions, tigers, bears snakes, dragons, angels, saints ,devils and giants. the         Moro-Moro is a very long play, the show can go on for five to six hours a night for three nights in a row. the longest play known lasted for 12 days.