Rep: Review of GOING HOME TO CHRISTMAS: Anxieties at the Airport

December 12, 2024

It was Christmas Eve and the passengers of Liberty Airlines flight to Cebu City were stressed out. JD (Neo Rivera) was very excited, but his father JR (Floyd Tena) was grumpy at the hassle. A Lolo (Gary Junsay) and Lola (Carla Martinez) from the US were bringing their grandchild Kevin (Basti Santos) on his first trip back. Arnie (Lorenz Martinez) and his wife Josie (Neomi Gonzales) were rushing because they needed to catch a cruise. 

Baristas Chris (Davy Narciso) and Jas (Rafael Jimenez) were planning to court the pretty stewardesses, Mona (Krystal Kane) and Alex (Maron Rozelle). Senior flight attendant Pat (Carla Guevara-Laforteza) was being stalked by a naughty pilot Richard (Noel Rayos). The quartet of Dina (Julia Serad), Terry (Roxy Aldiosa), Jaime (Johann Enriquez) and Mikko (Zid Yarcia) sang Christmas carols at the airport. Mang Jose (Alfritz) was the janitor that night.

"Going Home to Christmas" is an original Filipino jukebox musical featuring the songs of Jose Mari Chan, a veteran singer-songwriter who has become the local Mr. Christmas because of a Christmas carols he had composed, in particular "Christmas in Our Hearts." This play was self-aware that it told "Hallmark-type" love stories -- puppy love, reunited love, unrequited love, long-distance love -- written in Taglish by Robbie Guevara, Joel Trinidad and Luna Grino-Inocian.

Ejay Yatco chose which Jose Mari Chan hit to fit each short story -- "Beautiful Girl" for JD and Chris, "Constant Change" and "Easier Said Than Done" for JR, "Love at 30,000 Feet," "Can We Stop and Talk Awhile" and " Hahanapin Ko" for Pat and Richard, "Tell Me Your Name," "Can We Start Over Again" and "Please Be Careful with My Heart" for Arnie and Josie. Yatco's innovative arrangements made the heart of these classics beat with new meaning. 

Audiences identify and respond to characters of their respective generation. For me, the stories and actors of Pat and Richard, Arnie and Josie, JR and Em (Mayen Bustamante-Cadd) resonated best for me. With multiple stories to tell, this play ran for 2 hours and 15 minutes, which may feel too long or too syrupy for more cynical viewers. However, true fans of Jose Mari Chan music should enjoy this show's cute sentimentality and savor its holiday warmth. 

Gonzales, Martinez, Guevara-Laforteza, Rayos, Bustamante-Cadd, Tena, Kane

at the curtain call 

**********

"Going Home to Christmas" ran from November 29 to December 15, 2024 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. It looks like this may be an annual classic for years to come. 

 

Mad Child: Review of NAGKATUWAAN SA TAHANANG ITO: Faulty Functioning Family

December 13, 2024

Kendra (Thea Marabut) had a loving family around her. Her mother Alice (Peewee O'Hara) loved baking muffins, knitting scarves, and girls night outs. Her father Bob (Soliman Cruz) was an ever-supportive dad who dutifully took care of everyone's needs. Her elder brother Ben (Joshua Cabiladas) was married with kids and a medical doctor, but he would never miss a family game night. However, Kendra still felt there was something missing in her life.

Kendra is the central character of this play, but she seemed to be the most distant from the other members of her family. I knew Thea Marabut from her videos with the hilarious SPIT Manila improv comedy troupe, so her pensive moods here were a revelation of her range. The mother always tried to bring her family together, and Peewee O'Hara's Alice always tried her best to a fault, even if she had to suppress the crisp cuss words she wanted to say. 

The father character had the vaguest description, with very generic requirements, like "he takes care of all of us." As a result, Soliman Cruz actually had the least "moments" with Kendra. This detail may reflect how little we may know about our fathers, except as a provider. The brother character was supposed to be the fun guy, and Joshua Cabiladas certainly fit the bill. However, the "fun guy" may not always be having fun behind his smiling mask. 

"Nagkatuwaan sa Tahanang Ito" is the Filipino translation of Sam Walsh's play "This House Is for Laughing," written and directed by Guelan Luarca. The title may make audiences expect a riotous comedy, but it is not really that, which may be disorienting. Yes, there were funny bits here and there. However, the overall atmosphere of this play was one of depression and uneasiness, not exactly the picture of the perfect family that the happy title may suggest.

This play was about the idealistic expectations we have from the other members of our family. We do not have a choice about who our family members are, or how they are as immediate relations. If society allowed us to program exactly what how we want our parents and siblings to be, will this finally bring us the elusive happiness we cannot find from our real families? This material is potentially triggering to those who may not be happy with their family.

 

Cruz, Cabiladas, O'Hara and Marabut 

at their curtain call

***********

Mad Child Productions' "Nagkatuwaan sa Tahanang Ito" runs at the Black Box Theater, Old Communication Building, Ateneo de Manila University. This is a limited run of only 8 shows: December 12, 13,and 15 at 5:00 PM and December 9, 11, 12, 13 and 15 at 8:00 PM. Tickets at P1000 each. 

Additional show for December 15 at 1:00 PM just announced!