Finally, it was Friday. After a long week of academic work, it meant that I could start watching the Fourth Virgin Labfest entries. That afternoon, I braved the weekend traffic to go to CCP and arrived just in time to catch my first shows. It was a photo finish arrival and I was too excited that I tripped on the last step climbing up the side entrance of the CCP. (Note to self: never hurry up stairs when wearing pointy formal shoes.) I kept thinking, at least sa gild lang ito nangyari. Ikamamatay ko (sa kahihiyan at literally rin siguro) kung sa grand staircase ng main theater pa. Of course, I had to recover my poise and stood up immediately to face the friendly usher that was half-worried and half-laughing.
I made it in time for the staged reading of George de Jesus III’s Kung Paano Maghiwalay. The reading was so good that I thought if this marked the quality of productions this year, then the trips to the theater (pun intended) in the next few days would be worth it.
Kung Paano Maghihiwalay tackles exactly its title: how does one end a relationship? In ten short scenes, the play goes through the process of the break-up through snapshots of couples experiencing it, talking about it, or even just practicing it. We go through different levels of intensity, different concerns, different reasons: all sharing the pathos and anger involved in ending a relationship. It seems to have it all in there. Among the break-ups: an old couple deciding to split after years of marriage with the lola wondering who will remind lolo to stay away from the high-cholesterol food, the couple that laughs about it and feels the impact just after it’s happened, the girl who had to go through a break-up via text, the gay couple with the Starbucks break-up that couldn’t be more casual, the lesbian couple that can’t define their relationship, the neurotic guy and gal that enter the cab as a couple and exit as singles.
Though non-chronological, the scenes converge in many points in their theme and characters. As it progresses we learn how all these characters and their break-ups are connected (ala Magnolia). With the alternating tones of the break-ups, the play is truly well-paced and well-written. There’s simply a perfect mix of the tragic and the comic.
The cast was wonderful and most were familiar faces like Mads Nicolas (whom I just saw in VDAY delivering that Pagbawi ng Puki monologue with gusto), Bituin Escalante (in a role that reminds me of her Joanne in RENT), Kalila Aguilos (divine, even if not in her Queen Femina costume), and blogger extraordinare Lorna Lopez (more famous as The Bachelor Girl). Though just a staged reading, the emotions were really there thanks to the great ensemble.
So where does the love go when a relationship ends? Through lolo and lola in the end, the play suggests that it’s still there. But sometimes, though the love remains, some break-ups must happen. Sabi nga ni lolo, malalaman mo lang ang halaga ng tunay na pagmamahal sa pagtatapos nito.
I hope to see this restaged in the future. It doesn’t even need to be a big budget production, lest it lose its charm. Like some break-ups it should be kept as what it is: short, simple, and surviving.
The 4th Virgin Labfest runs until July 6, 2008 at the CCP. Don't miss this wonderful event in Philippine theater! Visit their official site for more information.
I made it in time for the staged reading of George de Jesus III’s Kung Paano Maghiwalay. The reading was so good that I thought if this marked the quality of productions this year, then the trips to the theater (pun intended) in the next few days would be worth it.
Kung Paano Maghihiwalay tackles exactly its title: how does one end a relationship? In ten short scenes, the play goes through the process of the break-up through snapshots of couples experiencing it, talking about it, or even just practicing it. We go through different levels of intensity, different concerns, different reasons: all sharing the pathos and anger involved in ending a relationship. It seems to have it all in there. Among the break-ups: an old couple deciding to split after years of marriage with the lola wondering who will remind lolo to stay away from the high-cholesterol food, the couple that laughs about it and feels the impact just after it’s happened, the girl who had to go through a break-up via text, the gay couple with the Starbucks break-up that couldn’t be more casual, the lesbian couple that can’t define their relationship, the neurotic guy and gal that enter the cab as a couple and exit as singles.
Though non-chronological, the scenes converge in many points in their theme and characters. As it progresses we learn how all these characters and their break-ups are connected (ala Magnolia). With the alternating tones of the break-ups, the play is truly well-paced and well-written. There’s simply a perfect mix of the tragic and the comic.
The cast was wonderful and most were familiar faces like Mads Nicolas (whom I just saw in VDAY delivering that Pagbawi ng Puki monologue with gusto), Bituin Escalante (in a role that reminds me of her Joanne in RENT), Kalila Aguilos (divine, even if not in her Queen Femina costume), and blogger extraordinare Lorna Lopez (more famous as The Bachelor Girl). Though just a staged reading, the emotions were really there thanks to the great ensemble.
So where does the love go when a relationship ends? Through lolo and lola in the end, the play suggests that it’s still there. But sometimes, though the love remains, some break-ups must happen. Sabi nga ni lolo, malalaman mo lang ang halaga ng tunay na pagmamahal sa pagtatapos nito.
I hope to see this restaged in the future. It doesn’t even need to be a big budget production, lest it lose its charm. Like some break-ups it should be kept as what it is: short, simple, and surviving.
The 4th Virgin Labfest runs until July 6, 2008 at the CCP. Don't miss this wonderful event in Philippine theater! Visit their official site for more information.
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