April 13, 2024
In the town of Katao, there were three sisters who owned a restaurant called "Mama Rosas." The eldest sister was Rosanna (Peewee O'Hara). The middle sister was Rosa Mia (Meann Espinosa). The youngest sister was Rosanna (Kiki Baento). During the fiesta, the sisters, together with their cook and local musicians (Cumbancheros), dramatized the story of how Mama Rosas came about, splitting the roles among themselves.
They told the story of Rosang Taba (Baento), who worked as a servant in the house of the Governor General (Jojo Cayabyab) and his wife Andrea (Espinosa). One day, Rosa dared to stand up and speak against a rich Spanish aristocrat Pietrado (Victor Sy), who had been hurling invectives against the poor Filipino folk. In everyone's amazement, the obese and unfit Rosa actually challenged the trim and limber Pietrado to a race.
This fun and heartwarming play, adapted from a 2012 children's book by Dean Francis Alfar by Rody Vera and Maynard Manansala, was first staged by Dulaang UP in March 2023 at the UP Theater Main Hall Stage, under the joint direction of José Estrella, Issa Manalo Lopez and Mark Daniel Dalacat . It earned a number of citations for its production, direction, lead actress and ensemble work, from various theater award-giving bodies in various year-end lists.
As we knew from her previous shows like the recent "Walang Aray," Kiki Baento is a such powerhouse actress, emanating so much infectious energy throughout this show. Rosang Taba is a very physically-demanding role, more so for a performer of her heft. Yet here she was running and jumping around all around the quadrangular floor stage, seemingly without any sign of fatigue. That smile on her face was just so open and sincere.
As the condescending antagonist Pietrado, Victor Sy was a character audiences will get annoyed at. However, Sy had that high level of physical fitness and manly grace, for him to be able to perform some athletic stunts and make them look effortlessly good. As the haughty governor, Jojo Cayabyab projected dictatorial authority, yet his characterization still managed to make him come across as delightful in his comic parody scenes.
Meann Espinosa was such a joy to watch. Her Rosa Mia felt like improv the whole time as she did the play-by-play during the race, and every one of her jokes landed. In contrast, her Andrea was kind and dignified. In her dual role as Rosalinda and Rosa's mother, Peewee O'Hara was a ball of kinetic maternal energy. As the lead Cumbanchero, the riotous Aldo Vencilao opened with some pretty corny jokes, but somehow he still pulled it off.
The execution of the crucial race scene was exciting to watch with innovative lighting design using strobe lights. It was both funny and exhilarating to watch, a testament to Baento and Sy's skills in physical comedy and comic timing. The climactic moment of empowerment and redemption was moving and powerful. The over-the-top performances, witty pop culture references, snippets of viral pop songs ('Gento,' 'Selos'), lively dance numbers, and the colorful costumes all propel the entertainment value through the roof.
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The re-staging of "Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba" runs from April 19 to May 5, 2024, with shows 7:30 pm on Fridays, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm on Saturdays, and 10:30 am & 03:30 pm on Sundays. The venue is at the IBG-KAL Theater at University of the Philippines Diliman. P1000 for regular tickets, P800 for PWD/Senior Citizens.
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