El Gamma Penumbra ‘Brings Peace’ to ARMM

(PNA) — Asia’s renowned El Gamma Penumbra, an all-male Filipino shadow play group, is set to display their exceptional skill before constituents of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) depicting relevant issues on peace and reforms.

The 18-man group is set to perform on the evening of July 20 at Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the provisional seat of the ARMM situated in this city.

The group has not hired female members due to the extreme body movements and contact required for their routines.

“The open-air quadrangle positioned in front of the ARMM administration building in the complex is estimated to hold 2,000 people,’ lawyer Kirby Matalam, ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team focal person, said.

Matalam said they have invited the group to perform before the ARMM constituents due to their unique form of art that portrays peace on stage at a distinctive level through their shadow acts.

“Through this (shadow play) medium, maybe people in Visayas and Luzon could better understand now why there is a need for peace in Mindanao,” Matalam said.

He said the one-night, free show is an additional treat to Muslims in the region following the culmination of their month-long Ramadan fasting season set to culminate on July 17.

Coincidentally, a member of the group, 26-year-old Whalid Minanga Bucana hails from this city.

Bucana left Cotabato City to join the Batangas-based El Gamma Penumbra group nine years ago.

Matalam described Bucana as “very excited to go home” after being away for a long time.

El Gamma Penumbra emerged as the grand winner of Asia’s Got Talent tilt held last May 7 at the posh Marina Sands Hotel in Singapore.

The group, formed in 2003, is a long-time donor to the Sta. Ana-San Joaquin Bahay Ampunan in Tanauan City, Batangas. (PNA) JBP/NYP