LAST WEEK, the production team from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) arrived to document the storied history of Davao City Hall, supported by the newly established City Office of Culture, Arts, and Heritage. Local artists from various backgrounds served as narrators, with filming taking place across the city’s most iconic landmarks.
It was during this auspicious time that we had the honor of meeting Frank Rivera, a man who has contributed immensely to Mindanao’s performing arts through Sining Kambayoka, the group he co-founded at MSU-Marawi in 1974.
Although originally from Manila, Rivera spent years in Mindanao during the height of Martial Law. As a survivor of that era’s indignities, he transformed his experiences into a passion for bringing social realities to the stage. He shared his “3Ps”—a framework that fuels his creative adrenaline:
Puso (Heart): Passion and emotional depth. Pusod (Navel/Center): Connection to one’s roots, origin, and heritage.
Puson (Lower Abdomen/Gut): Raw instinct, courage, and the “fire” of creation.
Rivera explained that Sining Kambayoka went beyond traditional stages, organizing community theaters in places silenced by Martial Law. They pioneered the “theater of instruction,” using performance to expose the social injustices of the time.
A signature of their style was the visual language of the malong. This everyday Maranaw garment was used as a versatile prop, transforming into whatever a scene required—a basket, a cradle, or even mountains and oceans. The group’s name itself is derived from the Bayok, a traditional Maranao chant.
Rivera remains an icon of Mindanao theater arts and is an inspiration to a generation of artists.
While Sining Kambayoka remains a powerful force, Davao City has its own theater groups that have shaped our local performing arts. We are aware that many campus-based groups exist but three homegrown collectives stand out:
Kaliwat Performing Arts Collective was established in 1988, and pioneered “community theater,” using myths, music, and dance to tell stories of Lumad and Moro struggles and resilience. They are recipients of the prestigious Gador Award.
Kathara Dance Theatre Collective founded by Datu Bago Awardee Boots Dumlao, fuse traditional dance with modern theater. Their work often tackles environmental issues and indigenous rights on the international stage.
Kalumon Performing Ensemble is named after the Cebuano term for “kin” or “clan,” this group embodies a community-focused mission, reflecting the close-knit nature of Davao’s cultural workers.
Despite this rich legacy, our local performing groups face a sobering reality: a dire need for dedicated spaces to stage their productions. For these arts to truly flourish, theater must be made accessible to the community. Only then can our stories continue to be told through the power of the stage.
Oscar Casaysay, executive director of the city’s Office of Culture, Arts and Heritage is keen on strengthening this platform as he is also a member of many collectives in the past. We can look forward to a more vibrant stage in the years to come.
