I barely had any sleep last night, anxious about something, I dont really know what made this insomniac episode different from the others. It could be the hundreds of film ideas swirling in my head as I begin to start pitching for them. It could be too, that there is simply so much going on in Manila right now in terms of great productions to see as the holidays draw near. I saw the acclaimed independent film , Sigrid Andrea Bernardos Huling Chacha Ni Anita -- a tender but stirring coming of age story of a young provincial girl whose heart began to beat for a notorious village woman. Topbiling my favorite actress Angel Aquino and a cast of excellent second leads and supports, including three brilliant kids, the themes of village gossip, physical obsession, lesbian inclination, and parental sacrifice all come to play, forged with a direct but sensitive treatment. It was a marvel to watch onscreen, with real life lessons one can take away from it. There will be more but sporadic public cinema screenings of ChaCha in Metro Manila as it also takes it route around 25 more international film festivals. Then the evening was for Kailan At Bakit, a trilogy of new and original one-act plays by Dalanghita Productions, staged at the PETA in Quezon City. Playing only until Sunday, Dec 14th, the three plays are as follows: 1. FRESHMAN Written and Directed by Chris Martinez Starring Gio Gahol, Brian Sy Bonn and Ryan are two college freshmen about to take their final exams the next day. The scenes take place in Bonn’s room, where Bonn, having difficulties in class, sought the help of Ryan. In between review exercises, the two engage in small talk about their college lives. The play takes its turn when one of them begins to unleash his repressed frustrations on his real nature. The play is set in the early 90’s, and takes on social issues such as the significance of male machismo, religious repression, and moral dilemmas surrounding notions dictated by society in that era. 2. BETANG Written by Joanna L. Katanyag Directed by Ed Lacson Starring Sherry Lara, Juliene Mendoza, Roi Calilong It’s 3am in Lola Betang’s time… Amidst the buzz of the drunken Tondo, Lola Betang stays sober and still. With her old transistor beside her, she waits patiently for her behind-scheduled “Sundo”. Lola Betang patiently waits, hoping that when demise finally faces her, She will, at long last, come face to face again with the love of her life… If only time would allow her. 3. MGA BULONG NI RARA Written by Pertee Briñas Directed by Claudia Fernandez Starring Oskie King, EJ Patacsil, TJ dela Paz, Ina Azarcon The show displays the unique simplicity of everyday life through Nitoy and Gemma, both domestic helpers who are in the middle of a conflict involving their common love interest: the subdivision guard, Yuri. The conflict reaches its peak when both Nitoy and Gemma finally decide to step into a confrontation. But both are overwhelmed when an disturbing incident happens to Yuri in between their unfriendly exchange. Brian Sy who appears in Chris Martinezs Freshman was teeming with honesty and intensity, notches more than when we co-acted in Tanghalang Ateneos Fireflies in 2013. Long-winded but with a stark, definite point, the play shows the many levels of crazy young people today exude. Sherry Lara who plays Lola Betang in Betang looked like an austere woman in a turn-of-the-century Filipino painting, haunting and serious. Mga Bulong... had an interesting twist that wittingly contrasted with the light beginning. Tickets may be reserved (the space is small) via contact number 09985311389. Each ticket costs P600.00 (inclusive of three plays). Joselito Toots O. Tolentino
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:14:21 +0000
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