Summer Solstice and Tatarin

John the Baptist (died c 30) was a mission preacher and a major religious figure who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River in expectation of a divine apocalypse that would restore occupied Israel. John followed the example of previous Hebrew prophets, living austerely, challenging sinful rulers, calling for repentance, and promising God's justice.

Some scholars maintain that he was influenced by theEssenes, who were semi-ascetic, expected an apocalypse, and had rituals similar to baptism,although there is no direct evidence to substantiate this. John's baptism was a purification rite for repentant sinners, performed in "living water" (in this case a running river) in accord with Jewish custom. John anticipated a messianic figure who would be greater than himself.Jesus was among those whom John baptized. It has been suggested that Jesus may have been a follower of John. Herod Antipas saw John as a threat and had him executed. The ministry of judges followed John's, and some of Jesus' early followers had previously been followers of John. John, like Jesus, preached at a time of political, social, and religious conflict.

Source:(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_the_Baptist)








Tatarin

Tatarin was authored by National Artist Nick Joaquin. Its original title was "A Witches Sabbath in Three Acts" and ws based on the short story "Summer Solstice". Its dramatic structure is in three acts, written in 1978.

Tatarin was first staged on 20 June 1978 at the CCP Main Theater (now Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo). This production was remarkable because three National Artists collaborated: Joaquin, the author; Lamberto Avellana, the director; and Napoleon Abueva , the sculpture.

The play explores the pagan forces in the Christian community, and the superiority of women to imperious men. It portrays and contrasts the the men and women who simultaneously celebrate the recently-introduced feast of St. John the Baptist and the ceremonial acts of the tatarin, a pagan ritual to the moon led by female priestesses.

In 2001 Tikoy Aguiluz, noted Filipino director, transposed the play to 1920 Philippines and cast Edu Manzano as the lead Don Paeng and Dina Bonnevie as Lupe. Its Filipino title was Tatarin, translated loosely into English as Summer Solstice.

Source:(http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Tatarin)