June 21, 2023
Writer: M. Manalastas
Director: Gio Potes
M (Jude Matthew Servilla) was a playwright cross-examining himself as he was drowning in his own loneliness. In the process, he interacted with his characters representing his younger self Batang M (Zöe De Ocampo), his mother Ma (Opaline Santos), his friend Raul (Fred Layno) and his love Elimar (Serena Magiliw).
To be fair, I came in a little late so I missed how it started. However, I never really got into the drift of this piece at all. The concept was theoretically good, but everything felt so abstract onstage. The lines were not connecting with each other. The humor was not working for me. The actors were trying to make things work, but I was not getting it. It just ended with a whimper with barely any impact to remember.
Writer: Shenn Apillado
Director: Mark Mirando
As a crowd was forming outside Malacanang Palace during the final day of the ruling family, trusted aide Shirley (Madeleine Nicolas) asked her niece Angge (Sheryll Villamor Ceasico) to help her pack things for her dear Madam (Gem Padilla-Thomas). Angge came with another purpose in mind, to ask Madam's help to look for her missing son who was a political activist.
The story of this play could had more impact had it been part of Virgin Labfest 17 last year. However, since it was only staged this year, it was simply too late. The very controversial mega box-office hit film, Darryl Yap's "Maid in Malacanang" (2022) already beat it to the punch. Nicolas and Ceasico were dynamic in their banter as the lead duo. It was a pity that Padilla-Thomas's dry portrayal of the iconic Madam was not up to par, rendering the anticipation to her grand entrance a disappointment.
Writer: Jerry O'Hara
Director: Issa Manalo Lopez
A group of Filipino soldiers were in a field in Camp O'Donnell, where the Japanese confined prisoners of war from the fall of Bataan who had survived the death march. Tunying Isleta (Eshei Mesina) was trying his best to keep the spirits of his comrades up. Pedro Peralta (Aldo Vencilao) had dysentery. Francisco Basa (Miguel delos Santos) wanted to escape. MSgt. Melchor Bautista (Joel Garcia) had gone mad.
Like "Room 209" in Set D, this was another play that featured an all-male cast of characters who were struggling with serious issues of life and death. It was interesting that, like "Room 209," this was also directed by a female director, Issa Manalo Lopez, who was able to give the formidable material a beating heart. This was undeniably powerful, moving stuff, but the play could use some streamlining, with edits of certain repetitive lines and situations.
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