Since 2012, the Writing Fellowship Program had been a 2-week program about writing plays which was held in conjuction with the Virgin Labfest. I had never seen any showcase live before, although I had seen some products of the workshop which had later made it into the Labfest roster itself. From last year's Workshop came three of this year's featured plays, namely "Titser Kit" "Blackpink" and "Mayang Bubot."
From the usual 10, there were only 6 fellows this year because of the pandemic, all of them just happened to be female, and all from Metro Manila. Ms. Melissa Corazon Mantaring is the program director. Playwright and professor Glenn Sevilla Mas is again the program mentor as he had been since 2009 when it was called the Writer's Lab. All plays had been directed by Dennis Marasigan, which he had been doing since 2013.
Set A:
Written by Bienangela "Gentle" Mapagu
It was April 2020 during this time of the pandemic. Larissa (Chloe Jenna) could not absorb anything from the books she had been reading. Laurene (Micah Musa), a being who transported dead souls to the afterlife, appeared beside Larissa and engaged her in a game of checkers (a la Bergman's "The Seventh Seal") where winner gets to decide her fate.
The whole play turned out to be an internal conversation of a mentally-disturbed individual -- a manifestation of a restless mind when such a person is locked down in the house because of a community quarantine. These imaginary friends are their means of coping with the stress and crisis, and a way for them to express their frustrations about everything happening around them, from current events to personal problems. It was probably through these "friends" where they can bounce their thoughts to come up with the best logical decisions.
Written by Franchesca Palattao
It was 11 pm in a studio in Manila. Angeli (Mina Cruz) and Paula (Bench Bautista) were a lesbian couple who had been together for 15 years. Both of them are already pushing 40 and gainfully employed. One night, Angeli expressed her desire to bear a child. Unfortunately, Paula did not agree.
This play was an intimate private conversation between two partners, which later evolved into a major argument which brought up buried skeletons. This type of situation could realistically have happened to a relationship of any couple of any sexual orientation where one wanted a child and the other does not. Perhaps it becomes more problematic if the relationship had already lasted as long as this one in the play -- 15 years. Have they not made this matter clear long ago, or was there a desire that only arose later in life when one somehow felt something lacking in one's life?
Written by Jhudiel Clare D. Sosa
Teenager Ana (Pat Maliwat) was asking advice from her older sister Jessica (Maia Dapul) about a piece of advice she read from a girlie magazine. The conversation started lightly from a question about shaving. Then it later evolved to more sensitive matter regarding Ana's boyfriend Gregory and what he was demanding for her to prove her true love.
This was a humorous sisterly conversation which could be objectionable for some because the girls were liberally saying terms which corresponded to private parts of the body and other profanity. Hearing those words said in Filipino further added to the vulgarity factor than if the medical English terms had been used. This play offered advice to young girls not to get their knowledge from magazines. They were also reminded to love and respect themselves first. What toxic men want should not dictate what their decisions about their bodies.
Set B:
Written by Cecilia M. de Jesus
Allie (Nicole Chua) was admitted in a private room in the hospital. Her admitting physician Dr. Salazar (Marvin Ong) was asking her tough questions in his need to understand when she tried to take her own life two days ago. To further draw her out of her resistance, the doctor related the suicide of a person dear to him.
This play was one very somber mental health affair replete with pregnant pauses throughout which cause a lot of tension and suspense. Having someone dear to us unexpectedly commit suicide leads us to blame ourselves for not being able to predict and prevent the tragedy. Being unpredictable events, we cannot be held responsible for the decisions other people make about their lives. Time will eventually lighten the weight of the guilt if we ourselves make the right choices. This play spoke to those left behind, to assuage them in their extreme anguish and to reassure them of eventual acceptance and moving on.
Written by Hannah Dorol
One warm summer afternoon, Maggie (Pia Meily) and her elder brother Matt (Alvin Obillo) were both lounging around with their legs raised on their seats, wearing only sleeveless shirts and short shorts. Matt began chastising his sister about her poise and clothes, and how they were attracting lascivious looks from the men passing outside their house.
This play covered a very current controversy about blaming the victims of sexual harassment or sexual assault for wearing skimpy clothing which provoked the men around them to entertain lusty thoughts. The approach of the play was light and humorous at first, but the argument between the siblings did become quite heated before long. I guess this topic will generate unending arguments between women (who want freedom to wear whatever they want) and men (who think that showing skin invites maniacs).
Written by Ansherina May D. Jazul
Ms. Javier (Matel Patayon) was a Filipino teacher in a private university. One day she was called to speak with Mr. Ocampo (Jon Montes), the principal. She was asked why her students went to a rally with her, and admonished for posting a complaint about the school on her social media account. Ms. Javier used the opportunity to air her misgivings.
This play talked about the current difficulties experienced by teachers in our country. Being a teacher in Filipino was not being given its due importance. Feedback from students counted for only 5% of a teacher's yearly assessment, in contrast with 70% for feedback from the administration. Teachers were not given an open channel to complain to the administrators. Teachers who were idealistic and fought the status quo in their youth would eventually get jaded as they get promoted into the administration.
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