VLF5, Set-C, Play #2: ASAWA/ KABIT

Production: Virgin Labfest 5
Set C – BLOOD SPORTS (TRILOHIYANG DINUGUAN)

Theatre Companies: TANGHALANG PILIPINO & WRITER’S BLOC, INC.
Show Dates: June 23-July 5, 2009
Date Watched: June 25, 2009 (Thursday, 8:00 pm)
Venue: Tanghalang Huseng Batute, CCP

Photo by Julienne Mendoza

Play #2: ASAWA/ KABIT
[Genre: TRAGI-COMEDY]
Playwright & Director: George de Jesus
Stage Manager: Perky Parong
Actors: Raquel Villavicencio (Via)*, Sherry Lara (Vanessa)*, G.A. Fallarme (Lalaki)

Ratings: Lowest – 0.0; Highest – 5.0; * - Outstanding

Production : 4.5
Stage Direction : 4.0
Story/ Script : 5.0 *
Production/Stage Design : 3.5
Costume Design : 4.5
Lighting Design : 4.5
Sound and/or Music : 4.5
Theatre Performance : 5.0 *

Average Rating: 4.44

Comments:

The play runs in 5 mini-episodes wherein Via and Vanessa have their stories told. The two characters confront each other and have to deal with their individual differences as they both love the one man (Miguel) for over 25 years. Both characters have something to boast about – either intelligence, wit, beauty, elegance, grace, romance, love or sex. One cannot accept the other’s paramount qualities that tick Miguel’s personal taste on women. Both may have the best distinct characteristics that make Miguel fall for them but in spite of it all, both can also forgive themselves for their own weaknesses as women and as human beings.

Dialogues are very witty, amusing and ferocious! The beginning of each mini-episode starts with a Tagalog classic song like “Kung Liligaya Ka,” “Bakit Ako Mahihiya?” Then you’ll hear the sound of a bell that marks the beginning of a round in a boxing ring. “Asawa/ Kabit” is a well-written play. However, the stage design is very simple – 2 sofas and 2 stools (that serve like small tables placed beside each sofa). The director can extend possibilities to think of ways how to turn the set into an inventive one. The 2 characters can have varying blockings in each mini-episode rather than just seated on the sofa. Raquel Villavicencio (asawa) and Sherry Lara (kabit) make a good tandem. Both characters are a pleasure to watch. I enjoyed watching this play!

My favorite lines:
VANESSA: “Kung wala kang retoke, mas mababa ka pa sa karaniwan!”

VIA: “Wala akong dapat ikahiya!”
VANESSA: “Why should you? E mas marami kang dapat ikahiya!”

VANESSA: “Do you know the meaning of antique?”
VIA: “Oo, ikaw!”

VANESSA: “How much do you love him?”
VIA: “Hindi ko sinusukat!”

VIA: “Sa tingin mo bang napakatanga ko? (patlang) Huwag mo nang sasagutin!...”


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