Politics is often viewed in a larger context – the power conflict present in the society. As politics is power, it is also an apparent occurrence in every individual (Politics is Personal). Each of us is privy to the search (as other people put it) or the creation (as a personal preference) of our identity. It’s actually about the power struggle within us. Our search or creation of identity manifests inner politics.
While we endure this internal power struggle, we are also surrounded by societal power conflict (e.g. family, race & ethnicity, societal acceptance, etc.). Consequently, politics is working within and around us. Our inner power struggle affects the societal power conflict and vice versa. And these were the issues that the “Identity and Politics Trilogy” in the recently concluded "Virgin Labfest Year 3" dealt with.
Job Pagsibingan' s May Bumubulong
Alex had to leave his family in Malolos for his college studies in UP-Diliman. For years, his mother and adoptive younger brother Gerald never knew his whereabouts. Not until the 3rd year of lack of communication, they found out that Alex was killed in a military encounter. However on the death of their mother, the brothers were reunited. Alex never got killed. Upon this reunion, brothers fought over the ownership of their parents'ed house. Eventually, the conflict between the brothers transcended beyond the conflict over material property as the secrets have been divulged (Alex’s father was never a tricycle driver but the parish priest. Gerald was a victim of sexual abuse by his own Kuya Alex. Consequently, he turned out as a sexual pervert). And because Gerald was always thwarted in creating his identity, he had to end the “whisper” by ending his brother’s life.
The play touched on several issues, mostly on personal and social psychology vis-à-vis politics. This was reflected in Gerald’s search or creation of his identity. The whisper that kept on haunting him since his teenagers years was a metaphor for the repressed emotions and fear about life. Such was also apparent in the two brothers’ exploration of their body (masturbation and sexual encounters). Second, the play also touched on the issue of power conflict within the family. Alex’s decision to sell their house without consulting his adoptive younger brother reflected the kind of power that is apparent in a family (the dominance of the elders). But beyond that, the play also captured how this power can be abused – sexual abuse of Alex to Gerald. Lastly, the play was also effective in communicating how a personal power struggle and societal conflicts affect a person character and creation of identity.
Dennis Teodosio's Pobreng Alindahaw
Genaro, a “tutubing-kalabaw” (a kind of dragonfly) started his ultimate quest of becoming a butterfly and was accidentally joined by his friend Seguismundo, a “tutubing-karayom.” In their unsuccessful attempt to become butterflies (by enclosing themselves in a cocoon), Genaro shared his angst of being a dragonfly and his aspirations of becoming a butterfly. The two didn’t know that Alexandrei, an unhappy and frustrated butterfly who wanted to end his existence (and by the way owned the cocoon), was listening to their conversation. Wanting to recover his cocoon, he interrupted the dragonflies’ conversation. But instead of waging a war against the dragonflies, he found himself sharing his angst about being a butterfly. In the end, all of them realized their self-worth. Alexandrei has accepted the fact that butterflies are bound to die on their 14th day. Meanwhile, Seguismundo ha realized that he had to go back home and continue his life as a dragonfly. Genaro, on the one hand, has accepted his own beauty and worth as a dragonfly but was still determined to continue his quest of fulfilling his dream of becoming a butterfly.
The play was a great allegory for man’s daily struggle. Who doesn’t encounter existentialist angst from time to time? We often find ourselves in despair of what our lives have become. “Pobreng Alindahaw” was a hilarious wake-up call for reviewing how we actually look at the worth of our existence. While others may appear to have overwhelming success and happiness (like Genaro’s perspective of a butterfly), there’s always a space for despair and even longing. There’s always a moment in our life that we feel insecure. It pictured that life is about acceptance, struggle, and dream. There’s nothing wrong in dreaming or wanting something grand for as long as we are aware and still appreciate our worth (just like Genaro’s realizations).
The earlier parts of the play were bit boring and trying-to-be hilarious though. Such feelings had probably something to do with the ZZZ effect – it has set standards as to what is witty and funny. Luckily, in the middle of the play, actors were able to recover and commence a more lively, witty, and funny enough punch lines and acting. The use of live musical score added grace to the play. Generally, the essence and the moral of the story were effectively communicated.
Rogelio Braga's Sa Pagdating ng Barbaro
It all started with the singing of a man who after which committed suicide. He symbolizes the seeming apathy of the community-dwellers as regards the social issues in town. The play revolved with the mission of Frederick, a Manila guy who was trying to escape from his problems (i.e. broken marriage) who was set to find his death in a war City in Lanao del Sur. He visited his college classmate Eloisa (a widow and from whom he acquired stories about the city) in Lanao del Norte. There he met Norayda, a lady Maranao who served as a servant to Eloisa.
In the latter part of the play, a lot of secrets have been revealed. First, majority of Eloisa’s stories about the war city were merely lies. Second, Norayda was never a servant but was in fact Eloisa’s confidant during the time when she was in anguish of his husband’s death. Third, his husband was not dead but was actually living with Frederick’s ex-wife. After all the secrets have been revealed, Frederick decided to continue his journey to the war city and left his suit case to Norayda. And that’s something that’s keeping me (and probably other audience) thinking until now.
“Liars go to hell.” This may seem a cliché but it’s the reality reflected in the play – not all we know and experience are 100% true. Some people are guilty of creating stories to enable them create their identity (just like Eloisa). Because of these lies, we are dumbfounded that we are living in hell. Another interesting thing about the play was its attempt to illustrate the cultural-religious conflict between Muslims and Christians. It has perfectly highlighted the current military conflict in Mindanao alongside the seeming immunity and apathy of the people.
It’s time to acquaint ourselves of the beauty and reality that theater gives us. Contrary to what other people think, watching a stage play (or any theatrical show for that matter) should not be perceived as an eccentric activity. It’s pretty much like watching a movie (can be a bit expensive though) where social and personal realities are reflected. Other people label it as an intellectual-venture. Oh, isn’t that watching movies is also an intellectual venture?.
Everyone should find time watching plays. It’s so liberating.
Acknowledgment:
Blogging has changed my life positively. It has served as an avenue to voice out my thoughts and viewpoints about various things. It has served as my point of connection to people who can give better insights on issues (given that I also read other people's blog). It has also served as an avenue to unleash my passions - one of which is my enthusiasm for theater. More importantly, it is the reason why I got a free ticket to the Virgin Labfest and had the opportunity to meet a respected theater critic - Gibbs Cadiz of PDI. Thanks for the opportunity and continue enticing others to see the beauty of theater through your write-ups and games :) Thanks again.
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