Engr. Jerrey David Aguilar

When the River Becomes the Stage

A Director’s Statement on Hudyaka sa Abatan and Aninipot sa Abatan

By Engr. Jerrey David Aguilar

From December 12 to 14, 2025, the Abatan River once again became a living stage as Hudyaka sa Abatan presented Aninipot sa Abatan, a 40-minute eco-cultural performance written by Rey Anthony Chiu and performed at the Abatan River Theater Space in Cortes, Bohol. Across six performances, the river gathered a truly multi-sector audience—local communities, young people, educators and students, civil society groups, faith leaders, tourism stakeholders, and local government officials—many of whom were watching theater for the first time.

The work was performed by the Abatan Cultural Collectives (ACC), composed of youth representatives from Antequera, Balilihan, Catigbian, Cortes, and Maribojoc under the Abatan River Development Management Council. The collective existed years before but was disrupted by the 2013 earthquake and later by the pandemic. Its return is more than a revival of a group—it is a renewal of youth leadership, inter-municipal collaboration, and shared stewardship of the Abatan River.

Because we were working with young people from different towns, our rehearsal process itself became inter-municipal. Rehearsals were held in the different Abatan towns, allowing ACC members to visit one another’s municipalities, encounter different local contexts, and experience the river beyond their own hometowns. This process strengthened not only the performance but also the collective identity of the young artists, grounding the work in shared experience rather than a single location.

Aninipot sa Abatan follows the journey of Goryo, a young traveler guided by fireflies into the realm of the river spirits. Along the way, he encounters Wadji, the warrior princess, and Tamblot, the shaman—guardians of the river and its elements. Through these encounters, the work speaks of the deep relationship between people and nature and the responsibility we carry in protecting the river that sustains our communities. The river was not treated as a backdrop, but as a central, living presence that shaped the rhythm and form of the performance.

Directing this production was both deeply rewarding and challenging. Rain showers came before several performances, and after heavy downpours the river current became stronger. Shifting tides at times reached the performance areas, while fog and rain made the stage wet and slippery, requiring constant adjustments to movement, spacing, and timing to ensure the safety of the performers. These conditions reminded us that this was theater created with the river, not against it. The environment shaped the work as much as the artists did.

Across the three nights, the performances were witnessed by leaders and representatives from multiple sectors. Present were Mayor Jojo Rojas of Maribojoc, Mayor Benjie Oliva of Catigbian, Mayor Trisha Chatto of Balilihan, and Mayor Rodrigo Dennis Uy of Cortes; Board Member Lawrence Xavier Ancla, Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation Chairperson and Chair of the Committee on Culture and Arts; Dr. Joahna Initay, President of the Philippine Councilors League–Bohol; and Joanne Pinat, Head of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office.

Also in attendance were Dr. Ben Malayang III, former President of Silliman University; Rev. Fr. Jun Operiano of Maribojoc together with the Parish Pastoral Council; Board Member Lucille Lagunay and Atty. Handel Lagunay, Head of the Provincial Legal Office; and former First District Representative Atty. Edgar M. Chatto, who shared how meaningful it was to see the continuation of a project that began as an early advocacy.

On the final night, Ar. German Janus Niño Guidaben announced plans to add a roofed structure to the Abatan River Theater Space, allowing performances and dining activities to continue even during inclement weather. That evening, Mr. Emerson Pianoso, Head of the Center for Culture and Arts Development of the Provincial Government of Bohol, also shared that his office will continue to support the development of artists and cultural workers in the province, affirming the government’s commitment to sustained cultural programming.

What moved me most were the responses of the audiences. Many shared that they never imagined theater could exist in Bohol, that theater could happen in a river, and that there are so many talented young people, beautiful myths, and layered histories within our own communities waiting to be told. These responses affirm why spaces like Abatan matter.

In his message, Dr. Lutgardo L. Labad, President of Kasing Sining, emphasized that the success of Hudyaka sa Abatan reflects the wealth of talent among Boholano youth and the importance of sustained support from leaders and communities. He underscored that cultural work grounded in place and participation can help nurture pride, responsibility, and continuity—especially when young people are given space to create and lead.

My belief in the power of place was shaped by earlier moments in this same river—during the National Theater Festival, the Arts for Healing activities in 2013 when Indigenous communities conducted healing rituals along the river, and during the pandemic when we staged a performance without a live audience but streamed it online. Each moment reaffirmed that space is not neutral; it carries memory, healing, and possibility.

Looking forward, we hope to develop Hudyaka sa Abatan as a regular eco-cultural program, supported by improved infrastructure, sustained partnerships, and continued youth leadership. We envision performances integrated with river experiences such as firefly watching and local dining, positioning culture as central to both community life and tourism. As Bohol continues its journey toward animating the UNESCO Global Geopark, it is vital to remember that people—their stories, creativity, and lived experience—are as important as the landscape itself.

We would like to thank all those who supported this production: the tourism officers who became on-ground coordinators, the drivers, boatmen, food servers, and technical and logistical staff who ensured that artists and audiences were cared for, and most especially the river guardians and communities along the Abatan who allowed us to tell these stories. Their trust reminds us that the river is not just a venue, but a shared heritage.

The river has always been telling stories. Through Hudyaka sa Abatan, we simply listened—and invited others to listen with us.

Hudyaka sa Abatan was organized by the Abatan River Development Management Council in partnership with Kasing Sining, with support from the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Center for Culture and Arts Development, the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage Council, and the local governments of the Abatan towns.

Engr. Jerrey David Aguilar is a cultural worker, theater artist, and engineer based in Loboc, Bohol. He is a recent Carlos P. Garcia (CPG) Awardee for Excellence in Theater, serves as Executive Director of Kasing Sining, and works as a Project Manager with the Bohol Association of Non-Government Organizations (BANGON). His practice focuses on community-based, site-specific work that brings together culture, ecology, and youth collaboration.