Sunday, February 6, 2011

It's All Because of "Pag-ibig"

3:20:00 PM 2 Comments

Zafira and Orosman. Photo by: Johan Sy of Studiyo.

Last Friday, February 4, 2011, I chose to watch the press preview of "Orosman at Zafira" over Janet Jackson's expensive concert. I know that I will not regret watching "Orosman at Zafira" after seeing some scenes during their press conference. Honestly, upto this moment, my mind keeps recalling some songs, lines and dance moves from the show. I also keep telling friends and my relatives about it.


Orosman (L). Zafira (R). Photo by: Johan Sy of Studiyo.

"Orosman at Zafira" may sound very old fashioned with its name and of course, it was written around 1856 by Francisco Baltazar aka "Balagtas." However, this old story holds the universal and the forever-in-fashion message called "pag-ibig" or love.

As I entered the Centerstage Theater, I noticed the stage and lighting design. They look amazing! I felt that being there to watch the show was already so worth it.

Gulnara and Muhamud. Photo by: Johan Sy of Studiyo.

The show started with the three tribes being presented - Marruecos, Tedenst and Duquela - narrated by Zelima (Ben-Asar's daughter). Each tribe were dancing their own dances happily while Zelima introduces the characters and their relationship to one another.

At the Garden of Houris in the land of the Marruecos, Aldervesin (Sultan Muhamud's adopted son) and Orosman (Boulasem's son) were strolling around when Gulnara (Sultan Muhamud's wife) showed up. A steamy exchange of dialogue between Aldervesin and Gulnara were shown which introduces their affair. They were caught by Sultan Muhamud who throws Aldervesin into jail and sentences him to death. After everyone left the garden, it is in this the same place and time that Orosman and Zafira meet. This marks the beginning of all conflicts that is to come.

Aldervesin and Gulnara


Muhamud scolds Aldervesin.


Aldervesin will be put to jail and punished. Photo by: Johan Sy of Studiyo.

The message I got from "Orosman at Zafira": Love can be good. Love can be destructive. Love can be a curse. Whatever form love can be, it's still love that a lot of people choose to feel.



Gulnara tries to persuade Muhamud. Photo by: Johan Sy of Studiyo.

Aside from the story, what makes me love this show are the killer dance moves, specially by the Duquela Tribe. The choreography was fantastic! Despite all the jumps, catapults and cart wheels of the huge group, they were able to do their stunts without hitting the one beside them. My eyes were wide open during the three wars because of all the stunts happening at the same time! My jaws dropped when Zelim (played by Acey Bryle Aguilar) was jumping from one stand to the other stand! I also like how the Duquela Tribe came down from the top of the stage on a rope while dancing and singing. All the action and passion can be felt by their dance moves!

Sample of Duquela Tribe's killer dance moves taken during the presscon.

Kudos also to the voices of all the actors! Their voices are terrific and each song wowed me. The voice of Zelima (played by Tao Aves) made the hairs behind my neck stand up like there's a ghost from the past that passed by! Maybe Balagtas was there enjoying the show? Gulnara (Jean Judith Javier) made different pitches that showed the flexibility of her voice. In a chorus, the voice of Boulasem (Nazer Salcedo) stood out and gave shivers that signals something bad in the next scene will happen.

After watching the show, I feel so proud that the Filipinos are good singers, good dancers, good actors, good musicians and are very creative with stage and lighting design. This show proves that Filipinos can give a world class original Filipino play. I really hope that a lot of Filipinos will go watch this or they'll be missing a lot!


Sultan Muhamud

"Orosman at Zafira" will be showing at the Centerstage Theater, 2/F SM Mall of Asia on February 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8pm; on February 12 and 19 at 10am; and on February 12, 19 and 26 at 3pm. It's going to be an experience of a lifetime so bring your loveone, family and friends!

Toots Tolentino welcomes the press.

Congratulations to Dexter Santos, Carol Bello, Darwin Mariano, Carlo Miguel Francia, Alex Cortez, Toots Tolentino, the casts and crew of "Orosman at Zafira" for a worldclass original Filipino play!

The first time Orosman and Zafira meets.

The Joy of Being Chinese

12:00:00 PM 0 Comments

Years ago, when Joy Luck Club premiered here in Manila, my dad bought tickets for us to watch it. At that time, I really didn't have an idea on what the film is all about and that it's based on a book but my dad told me it's a really good film so I just went to the theater with him. This time, I was the one who brought my dad with me to Onstage, Greenbelt 1 to watch the play made by Repertory Philippines.



I've seen the film Joy Luck Club for countless times because of a school project, because I wanted to watch it, because it was shown in class and many other reasons. However, every time I watched it tears fell from my eyes because I do feel the hardships of the old generation Chinese immigrants and I do feel the confusion of the second generation Chinese being a Chinese living in another country. When Repertory Philippines announced that they're staging Joy Luck Club this year, I was one of the excited persons to watch it since I know the pains, happiness and confusion of being a Chinese living in another country.

The press preview of Joy Luck Club was perfectly set on the night of the first day of the Chinese New Year. It was a night where families usually get together and I think a lot of families where at the theater to watch the show together.


Director Anton Juan did a wonderful job by letting the mothers Pinky Marquez (as An-Mei Hsu ), Joy Glorioso (as Ying-Ying or Betty St. Clair), Frances Makil Ignacio (as Lindo Jong) and Rebecca Chuaunsu (as Suyuan Woo) use Singlish in their dialogues. I think Singlish perfectly shows how the first generation Chinese immigrants speak English in another country. Actually, even here in the Philippines, the Chinese immigrants speak Filipino in the same way but there's no word made yet to describe this language so I'm using "Chinoy" to describe this particular language. The daughters played by Ana Abad Santos (as Jing-Mei or June Woo), Jenny Jamora (as Rose Hsu Jordan), Lily Chu (as Lena St. Clair) and Cris Villonco (as Waverly Jong) also did a good job however, even though they're good actresses, I felt that they still lack the emotion of their confusion and anger towards their mothers who pushes them to be Chinese, to be the best and to be responsible. I think if they should talk to their Chinese friends who are second generation Chinese to have the feeling in them and to be able to have more power in their emotions during the play.


Another scene which I find quite surprising is an old Chinese Opera that narrates the story of the Moon Lady in the middle of the play. It's actually a great idea to put it in for people to understand more on what happens during the Chinese Opera and it's not just a show but it tells stories of the olden days which might be or might not be true but these stories have been passed from one generation to another through this art form. A lot of the second or third generation Chinese immigrants find Chinese Opera to be boring but actually this kind of entertainment tells a lot of good stories or histories of China. By having this part at the play, if second or third generation Chinese immigrants watch the play, they will be more educated about this form of entertainment. Some of my friends who were at the theater that night thought that the Moon Lady and "Hou Yi" are just clowning around so they find it funny. I explained it to them that it's an old Chinese Opera. Somehow, it didn't look so much like a Chinese Opera since the costumes and make up still lack the effect. I suggest that they go to the "Xing Guan Xi" Chinese temple at Narra Street in Binondo to ask if they can borrow their costumes and also maybe they can ask help from them with the make-up. There's a particular make-up for characters in a Chinese Opera that they can apply for this show.


Generally, it's still a good show even though there are some elements which I've pointed out above. I still can relate to the play and laughed when there are parts which have already happened in my life. It seems the story is not only of the Chinese immigrants in the US but they're generally the Chinese immigrants which made it universal for the Chinese society. I, being a Filipino Chinese, was able to relate to the play and it has made me understand more of the hardships that my parents and older generations have gone through just for me to have a better life here. I hope that this play will continue touching lives of people like me for them to understand their family.


My dad and I had a great time at the show. We both love the guy playing the guzheng while people are entering the theater and waiting for the show. My dad applauded the guy for playing a good tune and thought at first that he maybe Chinese. When my dad saw that the guy was Filipino, he still praised the guy for knowing how to play the guzheng well.

Joy Luck Club will be performed at Onstage, Greenbelt 1 on the following dates and times:

February 11, 12, 18 and 19, 2011 at 8pm
February 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2011 at 3pm


For ticket inquiries call Repertory Philippines at 5716929, 5714941 or log on to http://www.repertory.ph/. Tickets can also be bought at http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/.

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! Hoppy Rabbit Year! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Note: Photos taken from http://www.spot.ph/. Poster taken from Oliver Usison of Repertory Philippines.

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