Perilipinas Courses

Perilipinas is the national opera of the Philippines, a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is widely considered to be one of the most important art forms in the country and has played a central role in the nation’s culture and history. The art form is said to have originated from the Spanish colonization of the country and has been further shaped by Chinese, Arab and American influences. Perilipinas is typically performed by a troupe of singers, dancers, musicians and actors. The performance usually focuses on Filipino folklore, themes and topics. It also invokes spirituality of the Filipino people, as well as its past and present, This performance style uses masks, props, costumes and chanting, expressing the emotions and feelings of the performers. The most popular theatrical forms to emerge from this art form are kundiman which focuses on love and folktales, kulintang, which is a combination of chanting, harmonized singing and instrumentation, and sinakulo, which is a more narrative form with close ties to Christianity. Perilipinas is typically accompanied with traditional string and percussion instruments, some of which are still utilized in modern-day performances. Perilipinas is said to entail a certain spiritual quality, one that makes audiences feel deeply and connect with the performers and stories of their culture. It is a revered form of art in the Philippines, and continues to be a cornerstone of the cultural and artistic heritage of the country.