“EJ” Rock Musical Opens on February 15

From Tanghalang Pilipino...
Reasons why you should watch in RED

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“EJ” ROCK MUSICAL OPENS ON FEBRUARY 15

The rock musical “EJ: ANG PINAGDAANANG BUHAY NINA EVELIO JAVIER AT EDGAR JOPSON” opens on February 15, 2008, at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater).Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Written by Palanca Hall of Famer Ed Maranan with songs and music by The Dawn, EJ stars Ricky Davao as Evelio Javier and Jett Pangan as Edgar “Edjop” Jopson, two men who rocked a nation during the turbulent years of the Marcos regime.

Described by its director Chris Millado as a “rock memoriam, ” EJ outlines the beginnings of social consciousness in the early lives of Evelio and Edjop Jopson, to their contrasting reactions to the turmoil in Philippine society, and their eventual violent deaths. Edjop blazed into the headlines as the President of the National Union of Students of the Philippines at the time when Martial Law was declared, while Evelio is best known as the crusading governor of the province of Antique who refused to be co-opted by the ruling party and its minions.

Though Evelio and Edjop never met in real life, EJ puts them face to face with each other in an imagined debate, with Evelio taking the side of gradualist and enlightened reformist politics as the way forward for the country, and Edjop believing in violent struggle due to the futility of reforms in the political culture and class structure of Filipino society.

“Evelio and Edjop can be likened to rock stars of their time, and what better way to present their lives to contemporary audiences than through rock music”, says Chris Millado.

The Dawn, one of the most enduring bands in the country, was tapped to provide the music component of EJ, a challenge the band members took up willingly. Aside from hearing original music composed specifically for the play, audiences can look forward to some of the band’s more popular tunes in EJ, including “Talaga Naman”, “Alam Ko, Alam Niyo”, “Abot Kamay”, “Dreams” and other favorites. The band will perform live in selected performances.

Others in the cast of EJ; ANG PINAGDAANANG BUHAY NINA EVELIO JAVIER AT EDGAR JOPSON are Rody Vera, Juliene Mendoza, Stella Cañete, Tex Ordoñez, Mayen Estañero, Wenah Nagales, Bong Cabrera, Nar Cabico and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company. It will run for four weekends from February 15 to March 9, with 8 PM shows on Fridays to Sundays and 3 PM matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets at P300 and P600 are available at the Tanghalang Pilipino (832-3661), CCP Box Office (832-3704) and Ticketworld (891-9999). Website: www.tanghalangpilipino.com; email: ccptanghalan@ yahoo.com.

EJ; ANG PINAGDAANANG BUHAY NINA EVELIO JAVIER AT EDGAR JOPSON completes Tanghalang Pilipino 21^st Theater Season and is presented in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts with the support of the Evelio B. Javier Foundation.

The American Dream

Many Filipinos dream of being in America (actually, staying there for good). It is probably because of the idea that living in a America would mean more opportunities , thus, enabling a better life and career. Of course, it would be unfair to judge people who have this kind of perspective as unpatriotic. It's undeniable that there are a lot of Filipinos who've become successful in America (better career and become well-off). Hence, it isn't impossible that other Filipinos might be enticed to have an American Dream.

While such "hopelessness" is already a sad reality, to meet Filipinos (who have acquired better lives abroad and have even acquired new citizenship) who have already forgotten their race is more painful. It's hard to understand how an American Citizen (Filipino in Race, born and raised in the country) would have the audacity to say that it's hard to trust a Filipino because most of us are cheaters. Huh! Such statement would make you ask yourself, "Aren't there any cheaters in the US? Are they all good people and are all Filipinos 'mangagagantso'? " What kind of attitude have these people acquired there? How can they easily denigrate and even hate their fellow Filipinos?

If you've been to another country, it's really inescapable to be comparing our country to others that are better. We are really way beyond America (First World vs. Developing Country). It's just normal to envy these counties and wish that one day our country will enjoy similar developments. But to totally abhor the Philippines (as if the country is a hell) is way too much.

Kaya hahanga ka sa mga Chinese na nandito sa Pilipinas. Kahit dito sila lumaki, hindi nila kinakalimutan, ikinahihiya, at kinukutsa ang lahing pinagmulan nila.

P.S.
I'm also guilty of dreaming to stay in another country as an alternative (should I decide not to be involved or settle down). Singaporean Dream - Work for 2 years, then study there for another 2 years. But I want to spend the rest of my life in my country.