The opera Orosman a Zafira is a Komedya written by Francisco Baltazar, a famous Filipino writer who wrote it for the Teatro de Tondo. This theatrical form, Komedya, is not a comedy, but actually a Spanish colonial drama revolving around saints or warring kingdoms. However, this comedy deviates from the Komedya standard; the original komedya were about Moro-Christian conflicts while Orosman and Zafira were about characters rather than religion. The show was an adaptation of Baltazar's original to suit modern Filipino audiences. Examples of the difference made for the show are the Philippine tribes that were originally Turkic kingdoms; neo-ethnic music for a tribal atmosphere of the show and; dances instead of marches in the original text. Orosman's story in Zafira begins with the introduction of the narrator, Zelima. He sings of the Marruecos, Tedenst and Duquela tribes and of Mahamud, sultan of the entire kingdom and of the Pacha of the Marruecos whom he invites to a feast. All pachas were invited, including Bousalem, Pacha from Tedenst, and Zelim, Pacha from Duquela. Bousalem suspects that Mahamud clandestinely plots to kill all the pachas to gain absolute power. With this in mind, Bousalem orders Mahamud's assassination during the festival. The scene then transforms into the meeting of the lovers in the story. Gulnara, Mahamud's wife, and Aldervesin, his adopted son, begin a relationship together upon the meeting of Orosman, son of Tedenst Sultan Bousalem, and Zafira, daughter of Marruecos Sultan Mahamud. The affair was soon discovered by Mahamud and he immediately ordered Aldervesin's execution while Orosman began courting Zafira. Gulnara attempts to free Aldervesin but fails. Zafira, who wishes to help Gulnar... middle of the card... fight the war comes from her pain and the tribal form of justice that was the "eye for an eye" method. He begins the war to take revenge on his father and to reclaim the throne that Bousalem took from his family. Gulnara's participation in the war is caused by her guilt as she believed that the assassination of the late sultan was partly her fault. Orosman's decision to fight for the Marruecos is due to his love for Zafira. All in all, the play was an amazing interpretation of the original Komedya. The changes made to the script are superbly executed. Even though the show's music kept hitting me from all sides to the point that my ears were ringing, the music was still a superb accompaniment to the acting. Ultimately, I'm sure I would be happy to promote this show if the University of the Philippines plans to produce it again.