But his work was designed to be temporary, and was
occasionally demolished in flamboyant dance rituals
performed by Roberto himself. His ‘Labyrinth’
constructed on the lawn of the Cultural Center of the
Philippines was a giant playful maze made of runo
(bamboo reeds) that ended in a sacred stone center (the
Dap-ay). It was reviewed by Time magazine, and put
Roberto on the map as an artistic force. Although his
best art no longer survives in their physical form,
the charismatic Roberto attracted some of the
country’s most accomplished photographers, filmmakers
and documentarist who recorded many of his
achievements.

Showman Shaman, an art documentary by Egay Navarro
and Rica Concepcion, assembles the wide array of
documentation to tell the story of Roberto’s life and
art.

The late Santiago Bose, another Baguio-based art
pioneer, gives an extraordinary interview in the film
and provides its climactic, shocking twist.

The title of the film refers tongue-in-cheek to both Roberto’s
preoccupation with healing and his love for audiences.

Showman, Shaman is showing on August 19, 2006,
Saturday at 9pm at the Gateway Cinema, Gateway Mall,
Cubao, QC.

This is an entry to the Moonrise Environmental Film Festival.
Tickets are at 60 pesos.