By Boy Villasanta | Published: December 31, 2020
As the Year of the Metal Rat exits, Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio—founder of the naturalist and realist theater company Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas — took her final stage bow two days before New Year.
She was 90 years old.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of National Artist Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio, University of the Philippines Professor Emeritus and Founding Artistic Director of Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas at 7 a.m. today December 29, 2020,” declared Mulat Theater in its Facebook page.
It wasn’t stated, though, the cause of her death.
A Literary Mother
Amelia, a pioneer in the neo-realist and neo-naturalist dramaturgy mostly set in its social condition on themes like poverty and rat race, left behind a wealth of theatrical literary pieces like “Tagsibol” and “Tag-araw”, only two of the three-segmented plays in “Tatluhan,” “Sepang Loca”, etc.
Some of her colleagues in arts and letters were aghast and sad about her passing. In her FB post, award-winning writer and mentor Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo remembered her with fondness and respect.
“I have just received with dismay the news that National Artist Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio has left us. For many years she was Director of the UP Creative Writing Center (now the UP Institute of Creative Writing) and Coordinator of our Creative Writing Program.
“I looked up to her as a literary mother, a gentle boss, a generous mentor, a most supportive colleague, a kind and wise friend. Her home on campus was always open to us. I feel her departure as a personal loss.
“Deepest sympathies to her husband, Dr. Manuel F. Bonifacio, and to her daughter, Dean Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete of the UP College of Arts & Letters. Godspeed, dear Ma’am Bo,” stated Hidalgo.
A Eulogy
Prizewinning film, television and stage artist Frank G. Rivera had composed a eulogy in a poem for Lola Amel, as kith and kin endearingly called her.
“Isang Pahimakas #inthetimeofthePANDEMIC ”
Taong Beinte-Beinte, namamaalam na (2020, you bid adieu)
Mundong iiwanan ay binahiran pa (The world you left was tarnished)
Ng malulungkot na mga alaala (With sad memories)
Nakapanlulumong isinama ka pa (It’s depressing that you were even dragged on)
Beinte-Beinte Uno ay sasalubungin (2021 would be welcomed)
Habang nagluluksa ang dulaan natin (While our stage is mourning)
Sa iyong pagyao habang naninimdim (Your passing saddened us)
Kung ano ang bukas naming susuungin (What tomorrow we would brave up)
Ang pandemyang ito binago ang lahat (This pandemic has changed all things)
Pati ang maskara ay kinasapakat (Even the mask is compromised)
Sa katotohanan at sa pagpapanggap (In truth and in pretense)
Kagaya ng teatrong iyong iniangat (Like the theater you advocated)
Hahanap-hanapin sa iyong pagpanaw (To look for in your absence)
AMELIA LAPEÑA-BONIFACIO, ikaw… (you)
PAALAM, AMELIA (Goodbye).
In Lieu Of Flowers
Bonifacio’s remains were cremated and were viewed at the Paz Funeral Homes where a mass was celebrated Thursday afternoon.
In Mulat Theater’s advisory it said: “In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas Foundation, Inc. through GCash 09189032040 (Ma Amihan R), BDO S/A 006520231060 (Ma. Amihan Ramolete), or LandBank S/A 3076 1038 86 (Ma. Amihan Ramolete).”