HEALTH & WELLNESS
Lunop Han Dughan (Voice of Yolanda)
Alegria O. Ferrer
College of Music
E-mail: [email protected]
Lunop Han Dughan (Voice of Yolanda) is a musical drama based on the real
experiences of a community of survivors during Typhoon Yolanda in the
province of Leyte. It is written in their own Waray language, composed, directed,
sung and portrayed by the survivors themselves. The project is an innovative
psychosocial intervention for disaster trauma and aims to help those affected by
the super typhoon transition from being victims to survivors.
The musical, which was first showcased before an audience of Typhoon Yolanda
victims, serves as a form of therapy for the both the viewers and the actors as it
enabled them to release their emotions and purge the trauma wrought by their
devastating shared experience.
The original script and story was written by Samlito Abueva and Joycie D. Alegre
and the music was composed by Samlito Abueva based on the researcher’s
immersion work and intensive interviews with the cast, who shared both the
problems they faced, as well as the solutions they envisioned for their trauma. The
musical is thus a form of psychosocial intervention towards participatory
governance in mental health service delivery.
Each performance is different, and it is a continually evolving work. It can be
adapted for any community undergoing similar trauma, regardless of the type of
disaster or location.
UP Diliman SALIKSIKHAY | 45