Step into the shoes of Filipino WWII veterans in ‘Kagitingan’ musical play
Photo from blindspotco/Instagram
A story of friendship, loss, discrimination, and resilience of the unsung heroes of WWII, “Kagitingan” is a fusion of music, dance, history, and arts combined in a documentary play in San Diego, California.
Dr. Jimiliz Valiente-Neighbours tells the story of thousands of Filipino soldiers who died in WWII. And in case you’re curious or confused about what “kagitingan” really means, it’s a Filipino word that means “valor.”
This time, it’s not just a beautiful Filipino word; it’s the title of an inspiring play opening its curtains this Oct. 20, Friday until Oct. 29 at 1100 Kettner Blvd., Museum of Contemporary Art.
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As play director Desha Crownover describes “Kagitingan” as a “fusion of traditional Filipino dance plus some modern movement and theater.”
Real veterans’ stories come to life
To make the play more realistic, the characters you’ll meet are based on the stories of Filipino WWII veterans interviewed by Valiente-Neighbours in 2012 and 2013 in California, Hawaii, Pangasinan, and Ilocos Norte in the Philippines.
And to make it more entertaining while traveling back to WWII, the theater company Blindspot Collective collaborated with Disco Riot Dance.
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In the Philippines, we commemorate valor in celebrating “Araw ng Kagitingan,” a national holiday honoring the legacy of the brave souls who fought during World War II. Moreso, it’s also paying homage to the countless Filipino soldiers who fought alongside the Americans.
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Why “Kagitingan” musical matters
As Crownover puts it, these stories are “not only out of respect for the soldiers who gave their lives, their strength, and their literal blood for the US, but so we don’t repeat the same mistakes.”
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Inspired by Dr. Valiente-Neighbours’ doctoral research on citizenship and identity, this play portrays a mature narrative suitable for ages 12 and up.
Tickets are for sale at $30, and you can get them at blindspotcollective.org/kagitingan.
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