MikeLigalig.com

By Loy Palapos

Utterly committed to his love for culture and the arts, he has subconsciously morphed into a respected exponent in street dancing, field demonstration, and the theater arts. More so in folk dance, where he stands alone as a local icon. At a time when Physical Education was a subject (in the Philippine setting) usually associated with dance and music, the multitude who had seen his programs thought all the time that he is a PE major. Which is a falsity known only by a handful. Mr. Oscar Buhion Real is an English Major, teaching this subject for the past 36 years, benefiting thousands of students who had the experience of his excellent brand of tutelage.

Oscar was born in Montaña, Baclayon, Bohol in 1950 on a very significant date, September 11, the birthday of the former dictator Marcos, his declaration of Martial Law, and the fall of the twin World Trade Center. Nerve-shattering events that are anathema to this peace-loving mentor. His father was Vicente M. Real, once the Division P.E. Supervisor of Bohol. His mother, Teodora Buhion, was a former public school teacher in Laya Elementary School.

Mr. Real had two brothers. Edgardo, devoted his life in the insurance business, until his latest assignment at the St. Peters Life Plan. Arturo was to finish (BSC) Bachelor of Science in Commerce when he passed away at age 19. His only sister, Zenaida R. Alzeinstin, finished Nursing at the Bohol Provincial Hospital School of Nursing, and is now based in Texas, USA with her family.

Oscar graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969, and finished (BSE) Bachelor of Science in Education in 1970, as an English major, at St. James College. He has also earned Master of Arts units at Holy Name University. Right after graduating from his second degree, he went to Davao City for a vacation that turned out to be an opportunity for employment. He was offered a job as an English instructor at Maryknoll High School, in Maco, Davao del Norte. After a brief stint, he transferred to International Harvardian University, in Davao City. From 1971 to 1977 he taught at St. Peter’s College of Toril, also in Davao City. Here he founded a Glee Club. It was his first big venture in organizing a group for cultural presentations.

There is no place like home. While enjoying his job, there was that endless longing to be with his kins and friends. He packed his bags and sailed back to Bohol. He was employed for two years at the Sierra Bullones High School. In 1980 he started teaching at the Bohol National High School. It is at this institution that Oscar Real has become a name in the propagation of culture and the arts, especially folk dancing.

His affiliation for aesthetics did not come out as a spur-of-the-moment whim. Right from his youth, his inclination to dance and music was already evident, with the various extra and co-curricular activities in school. When he was teaching in Davao, he was taken in as a dancer by the Bayanihan Dance Company of the Philippine Women’s University, and later at the Philippine Folk Dance Society at the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines), Manila. This was enhanced by the training he got from Mr. Ramon Obusan of CCP, the famous National Artist in Dance who passed away lately. In Davao City, he learned jazz with Bing and Agnes Locsin. He went to Manila and trained at the Aldeguer Sisters School of Dance. To further hone his talent in jazz he enrolled at the Baguio Vacation Normal School during summer.

Simultaneously, he immersed himself in ballet, which started when Joseph Rañola first came to Tagbilaran City as a ballet trainor and performer. This was later augmented at the University of the Philippines with Steve Villaruz, and Tony Bermudes of Far Eastern University. Another opportunity for improvement came with Edwin Duero of Iloilo City. All these he imbibed with utmost dedication and unparalleled passion.

Always an individual whose thirst for knowledge is unquenchable, he travelled all over the country, wherever there was an opportunity to personally witness big cultural events, like Aklan’s, ”Ati-Atihan”, and Ilo-Ilo’s “Dinagyang”, and acquired additional knowledge he can teach back home. In 1986, he was taken by Japan Foundation for a sturdy tour in the Land of the Rising Sun. In 2006, he visited Hongkong and China.

Mr. Real founded Bukang Liwayway Dance Troupe of BNHS in 1980, and until now he is still at it as Artistic Director, with performances in Tagbilaran City and all over the Province of Bohol. In 1981, he formed the BNHS Drum and Bugle Corps, and was its Adviser and Trainer until 2005. This Corps used to lord it over the others in Bohol, (at a time when trainors from other schools were intimidated by the terpsichorean prowess of Real) until it went low profile and ceased participating in the Alturas Drum and Bugle Corps Showdown for a number of years. Last November the Corps was revived and made a grand slam. Oscar may not be physically involved in the feat, but those in the know are one in the concluding that he is one of the inspirations behind the great success. It is worth noting that Mr. Oscar Real was the consultant and prime-mover when Alturas sponsored a province-wide folk-dance competition. He was the first person to suggest the holding of Showdown, which today is in its 19th year.

Mr. Oscar Real is an Outstanding Teacher. But with a significant twist. When he was hired in Sierra Bullones, he was assigned to PE subjects, and even in the succeeding years. This became an obstacle. He cannot be promoted to a higher rank because he was not teaching his major. It was only very much later when he became Master Teacher I.

In Tagbilaran City and Bohol Province, the name Oscar Real is always top-listed as a judge whenever there are competitions, be they field demonstrations, group or solo-dancing, elocution contests, beauty pageants, or choral competitions. He always finds time for these, despite his hectic schedule. And with a difference from the others: he does not ask for any honorarium, no demand for a budget. Even when training some groups, be it in government or private enterprises, his talent fee is not a bone of contention.

His love for arts is not dimmed by the glitter of gold. At the end of a project, or after a performance, when he hears the applause of the audience, this is more than mere compensation. It is fulfillment.

In the Sandugo Street Dancing he has won the Championship Trophy a number of times. His prowess in choreography is well-known even in other neighboring provinces where he has been invited as a trainor and consultant. He is also the 1998 National Awardee of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. With the numerous awards he has gathered through the years, he has remained humble.

The numerous ordeals a trainor has in nurturing a group are sometimes nerve-wrecking. Like many artists Oscar has also met frustrations in his craft; but nobody hears him complain. When a person loves what he is doing, it is not work at all. As a creative artist, Mr. Real is one of the best.

He ends this interview with a wish: “If I have another lifetime, I would definitely continue to swirl in the lyrical lifestyle of simple folks as they complete their daily chores. I would not stop dancing ‘till I wear off the skin of my feet. I would dance until all of us feel exhausted, contented, and fulfilled. This is what I want to do. This is what I intend to do. But I have only one lifetime.”

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