“Racquel” (so seductively portrayed by Ms. Bebe Gandanghari) calmly sat down on a queenly chair fabulously arranged and designed on the stage of Huseng Batute theater house inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
‘She’ just sat there so beautifully, with elegance and poise.
And ‘she’ looked upon the character of ‘her’ long-lost love- Terry Mangubat (magnificently portrayed by director Joel Lamangan)- with depth and pain. ‘She’ never stumbled upon her words and imparted a very painful message of bitterness and loss. ‘She’ almost cried. But ‘she’ managed to put-on a brave front.
As Terry tried to escape a dramatic breakdown, “Racquel” further hanged-on with the past. A past that totally tore her apart.
This is the most powerful scene in the ‘comedic but truer than life’ play- SAYAW NG MGA SENIORITA.
Presented in a hilarious manner that the audience won’t fail to laugh, SAYAW NG MGA SENIORITA had a message to impart. Take out all the laughs and all those gigs, the perfect blockings and the great performances- it is a play within a play itself. Wherein realities always win and dreams die… somehow.
Of broken roses and unfulfilled promises.
As this blogger watched on and got so entertained and enthralled, with mixed feelings of regrets and hopes, he saw characters that were really shattered into pieces. But they all managed to move-on.
Like the character of Dr. Gerry Almario (convincingly portrayed by Manny Castaneda) who sacrificed his gay freedom and his whole life just to prove to the woman he married that he could be the ‘perfect husband’.
Or, the character of Romeo Cajanding (so greatly and wonderfully portrayed by Arnell Ignacio) who would do everything for his family at the expense of loosing his own reputation and his own happiness…
And what about the character of Rading de Guzman (so comfortably portrayed by Soxie Topacio), who discovered that the man he presently loves had a dark past and an affair with his very best friend?
These or ‘that’s'- are what gay people had been suffering for all of their lives.
From the moment they were born, and up to the time of their “sunsets”.
But they hanged-on to each other- in a kind of deep friendship more redeeming than the sunset of their lives…
In a kind of dance far more beautiful than the golden sky or the eternal blast of sunshine…
MGA SAYAW NG SENIORITA was written (“my hats-off to you”, writer Jose Javier Reyes!) to make people laugh and to save a dying theater group.
But the director of the play (grandeuesely executed by director Jun Pablo) had something more in mind.
“That gays will still be gays, after all”, director Jun once said to this blogger in a press conference held a month ago. “That they will always survive. And they will laugh all their pains-off. It’s their tool for their own survivals.”
Yes, SAYAW NG MGA SENIORITA was, indeed, an eye-opener for all those who kept on dreaming and waiting for someone to fulfill a promise.
A promise of a happy life and a lasting company… but soon gone.
Yet, no matter how wrecked souls could be… life goes on.
Because, broken roses could still be restored -
with proper love… and care.
the dance of love… and loss.
dance of a senior-age citizen…
‘gay people’ (NOT THE MODELS ON THIS PHOTO) can still laugh and smile, even at the most painful moments.
younger casts of the play and the male ones at that, holds-on to the pictures of A GREATER CAST.
What happens when a gay homosexual goes old? Who will take care of him? Who will love him?…
Will he grow old alone & unloved, with bitterness and pain?
Will his family still be there?
What about the ‘men’ in his life? Will they still be there for him, too?
These are the questions that makes old gay people feel nervouse when they reach the age of ’60′s…
When they become SENIOR CITIZENS of the republic.
In the play “Sayaw Nga Mga SENIORita”, literary icon Jose Javier Reyes (who wrote the play) tackles these very sensitive questions.
A must-see for everyone.
Enjoy, relish & dream… when you watch Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s tribute play to the late Tony Espejo (R.I.P.)- the founder of GTF.
Soon.
FACT SHEET
WHAT: “Sayaw Ng Mga SENIORita”, the official entry of Gantimpala Theater to the Fourth National Theater Festival, a two-act play in Taglish, written by Jose Javier Reyes and under the direction of Jun Pablo.
WHEN: November 16, 2012 (Friday)
3 P.M. and 8 P.M., Tanghalang Huseng Batute, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City
November 23, 2012 (Friday, 8 P.M.) and November 24, 2012 (Saturday), 3 P.M. & 8 P.M., (AFP THEATER).
November 30, 2012(Friday), 8 P.M. and December 1, 2012 (Saturday), 3 P.M. & 8 P.M., (AFP THEATER).
the GAY SENIORS- cast of “Sayaw Ng Mga SENIORita”.
WHO: JOEL LAMANGAN as Terry Mangubat, the richest among the friends
SOXIE TOPACIO as Rading de Guzman, the antique collector and dealer
MANNY CASTANEDA as Dr. Gerry Almario, the doctor to the stars
ARNELL IGNACIO as Romeo Cajanding, the bikini-open producer and talent manager
and
MS. BB GANDANGHARI as Raquel, the homecoming queen and socialite
HOW: For tickets, at Tanghalang Huseng Batute, CCP performances, please call:
832-3704- CCP Box Office, direct line
832-5622 (Ms. Glenda Agravante) or 0939-9087633 (Ms. Alice Borbe)
the cast of “sayaw ng mga SENIORita”, with the sexy handsome men included in the play to be presented to the media soon!
WHY: “Sayaw Ng Mga SENIORita” is the ‘kabogera’ play of the year from Gantimpala Theater. The dramatic arts company is performing at their original home- the Tanghalang Huseng Batute, which was once called Bulwagang Gantimpala, the venue for untried, untested and unstaged plays that the late Tony Espejo and his group of friends gave life. Jose Javier Reyes writes for the theater again as a tribute to his mentor, the late Tony Espejo. The play is about gay men in their “prime” and the issues they confront- ageing, friendship, family ties, lust and love. It has a powerhouse cast of multi-awarded film and TV directors namely Joel lamangan, Soxie Topacio, Manny Castaneda, Ricky davao and actress Bb gandanghari, who is acting on stage for the first time. Jun Pablo, chartered member of the company is the director.
postword: Mr. Lou Veloso, actor-politician, who was originally casted in this play and participated in the cast pictorial- begged-out of this play due to important reasons. He was replaced by no less than Mr. Arnell Ignacio. – sip & sip
Shipwreck in a sea of facesThere’s a dreamy world up thereDear friends in higher placesCarry me away from here Travel light, let the sun eclipse you’Cause your flight is about to leaveAnd there’s more to this brave adventureThan you’d ever believe Birdseye view, awake the stars ’cause they’re all around youWide eyes will always brighten the blueChase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery’Cause after all those wings will take you up so high So bid the forest floor goodbyeAs you race the wind and take to the skyYou take to the sky On the heels of war and wonderThere’s a stormy world up thereYou can’t whisper above the thunderBut you can fly anywhere Purple burst of paper birds thisPicture paints a thousand wordsSo take a breath of myth and mysteryAnd don’t look back Birdseye view, awake the stars ’cause they’re all around youWide eyes will always brighten the blueChase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery’Cause after all those wings will take you up so high So bid the forest floor goodbyeAs you race the wind and take to the sky(Take to the sky) There’s a realm above the treesWhere the lost are finally foundTouch your feathers to the breezeAnd leave the ground Birdseye view, awake the stars ’cause they’re all around youWide eyes will always brighten the blueChase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery’Cause after all those wings will take you up so high So bid the forest floor goodbyeAs you race the wind and take to the skyYou take to the sky(You take to the sky) You take to the sky
Mga pelikulang Tagalog na ninamnam ko magmula pa nuong ako ay bata pang musmos…
Mga klasiko at modernong pelikula na pang-habambuhay…
Nagmamarka, umuukit, nagmamahal-
MAGPAKAILANMAN!
Naririto po ang aking own personal choices (not to be contested by anyone, OK? Kasi, personal choices ko lang naman ang mga ito.- sip & sip*) para sa TOP 30 GREATEST PINOY FILMS ON LOVE STORIES!
I just hope, you will all cherish my LIST. Thank you.
(list created by ROBERT MANUGUID SILVERIO)
1.) DUBAI
Sip & Sip Says:
“Ang pelikulang ito ang napunta sa number one list dahil sa napakagandang mensahe ng pelikula para sa bawat Pilipino. Maski ba subplot na lang dito ang pagiging OFW’s ng mga karakter na ginampanan nina Aga Muhlach at John Lloyd Cruz- dahil basically, this film is a love story between Aga and his leading lady in the film na si Claudine Barreto- mas lumutang pa rin sa pelikula ang mga moral values ng mga Pinoy. Napakaganda. Naiyak ako sa isang eksena ng pelikula na kung saan ay inakap ni Aga ang kapatid na si John Lloyd nuong ito ay maaksidente. For this blogger, this is the finest Star Cinema movie I have ever seen!”
2.) PAHIRAM NG ISANG UMAGA
Sip & Sip Says:
“Napaka-’symbolical’ na pelikula. Napaka-pulido at kahanga-hanga ng script ni direk Jose Javier Reyes sa pelikulang ito. Idinerehe ng dakilang si Ishmael Bernal. Maiiiyak ka sa istorya ng isang career-driven woman (so ‘subtlety’ portrayed by Miss Vilma Santos) na may taning na ang buhay at mamamatay sa mga braso ng isang eccentric artist na ginampanan naman ni Eric Quizon, na napakasariwa at napaka-guwapo pa nu’ng ipalabas ang pelikulang ito.”
3.) KUNG MANGARAP KA’T MAGISING
Sip & Sip Says:
“Pang-teenager ang pelikulang ito na ginawa ni direk Mike de Leon nuong mid-1980′s. Ang setting ay sa Baguio. Ukol sa isang binata (ginampanan ni Christopher de Leon) na hindi maka-move-on sa pagkamatay ng kanyang girlfriend. Hanggang sa makilala niya ang misteryosang karakter ni Hilda Koronel (na napakaganda sa pelikulang ito) at sila’y nagka-ibigan. Simple lang ang istorya pero ang atake ng direktor sa pelikulang ito ay pambihira!”
4.) TAG-ULAN SA TAG-ARAW
Sip & Sip Says:
“Another Vilma Santos movie, with Christopher de Leon. Ito’y sa direksyon ni Celso Ad Castillo. Ukol sa dalawang mag-pinsan na nagka-ibigan. Napakaganda ng ‘mata’ ni direk Celso Ad sa movie na ito. Kakaiba. Napaka-romantiko!”
5.) FOREVER & A DAY
Sip & Sip Says:
“Two years ago lang naipalabas ang movie na ito and we can say, this is a modern-day film classic. Hindi namin malilimutan ang ending ng pelikula na kung saan ay nagpalipad ng maraming balloons ang mga characters sa movie dahil sa pagkamatay ng bidang babae (si KC Concepcion). And actor Sam Milby looked so incredibly handsome on this film!”
6.) MAYOHAN
Sip & Sip Says:
“Isa itong indie film (ang nag-iisang indie film na napasali sa listahang ito) na ipinalabas sa Cinemalaya two years ago. To think na ang direktor nito ay first-timer (ang Atenistang si direk Dan Villegas), pero napakaganda ng eksekusyon niya sa pelikula. Simple, pero malalim. Ukol sa isang dalagang taga-probinsya na may mga pangarap sa buhay at maiinlab sa kanya ang isang binatilyong lalakeng galing sa Maynila. Sayang, hindi ito nagkaroon ng “mainstream distributor” para mai-showing commercially. Feel na feel namin ang pelikulang ito! At napakaganda rin dito at napakagaling ng bidang aktres na si Lovi Poe!”
7.) PAGPUTI NG UWAK, PAG-ITIM NG TAGAK
Sip & Sip Says:
“Another Celso Ad Castillo film. A classic!”
8.) SAAN NAGTATAGO ANG PAGIBIG?
Sip & Sip Says:
“A rare gem of a movie. Napakaganda ng ‘attack’ ni direk Eddie Garcia sa pelikulang ito. Maski ba ang pelikula ay masasabi mong isang ‘family drama’, isinama pa rin namin siya sa list na ito dahil sa napakagandang subplot ng movie: Ang pagibig na naramdaman ng bidang aktres na si Vilma Santos sa retardate na alaga niya sa pelikula na ginampanan naman ni Tonton Guttierez. Our hats-off to the story creator of this film: Ms. Gilda Olvidado with screenwriter Mr. Armando Lao!
9.) ANG ULIRAN: IMELDA
Sip & Sip Says:
“Ito lang ang tanging lumang pelikula na napasama sa list na ito dahil sa napakaganda niyang tema: Ang paghahanap sa isang babaeng maaaring maging katulad ng isang ‘Imelda’. Si ‘Imelda’ ang yumaong asawa ng isang lalaking nabiyudo na ginampanan ng the late Dindo Fernando (R.I.P.) sa pelikula. Makakatagpo siya ng mga bagong babae, pero walang makahigit kay ‘Imelda’. Napakagandang pelikula!”
10.) BITUING WALANG NIGNING
Sip & Sip Says:
“We can say, this is more of a classic movie than a commercial film! Kung panonoorin mo ng paulit-ulit ang pelikula, ma-appreciate mo ang great efforts ng yumaong direktor ng pelikulang ito na si direk Leroy Salvador, Jr. (R.I.P.) na gawing isang obra-maestra ang pelikula. Napakagandalang love story!”
11.) AMNESIA GIRL
Sip & Sip Says:
“It’s John Lloyd Cruz’ performance in this movie that really shocked this blogger. Napakagaling na aktor!”
12.) MASIKIP, MALUWANG PARAISONG PARISUKAT
Sip & Sip Says:
“Medyo ‘sexy’ ang tema ng pelikulang ito, pero ang pelikulang ito ay isang klasiko! A love story with a modern-day setting na ipinalabas nuong late 1970′s, which starred Miss Alma Moreno & Christopher de Leon.”
13.) BAKIT BUGHAW ANG LANGIT?
“Sip & Sip Says:
“Ito’y sa direksyon ng the late Mario O’ Hara (R.I.P.) at pinagbidahan ni Miss Nora Aunor. Ukol sa isang api-apihang anak na iibig sa isang lalaking retardate. This is the best Mario O’ Hara film for this blogger.”
14.) KASTILYONG BUHANGIN
Sip & Sip Says:
“Another Nora Aunor film, with Senator Lito Lapid as his leading man. A very powerful, yet romantic film!”
15.) NAGLALAYAG
Sip & Sip Says:
“Muli, sa direksyon ni Maryo J. delos Reyes. Itinambal si Nora Aunor dito sa napakabatang aktor na si Yul Servo. This movie was greatly written by Ms. Irma V. Dimaranan. Ukol sa isang schoolteacher na iibig sa isang taxi driver na mamamatay naman sa pelikula.”
16.) WHERE LOVE HAS GONE
Sip & Sip Says:
“Pinagbidahan ito nina Snooky Serna at Albert Martinez para sa Regal Films. Blockbuster ang pelikulang ito. Pero ang pinaka-kapuri-puri sa pelikulang ito ay ang napakagaling na acting ni Snooky!”
17.) PALIPAT-LIPAT, PAPALIT-PALIT
Sip & Sip Says:
“Ito lang ang tanging movie na may ‘homosexual’ aspect na napasali sa list na ito. Napakagaling ni Mark Gil sa pelikulang ito bilang isang “closet queen”. Napakaganda rin ng mensahe ng pelikulang ito na ipinalabas nuong late 1970′s pa. The late Lino Brocka (R.I.P.) directed this film.”
18.) IKAW
Sip & Sip Says:
“This is a Sharon Cuneta-Ariel Rivera movie. About a man dying of a sickness and a woman falling in love with him. Napakasimpleng pelikula pero tumutusok sa puso.”
19.) TEENAGE MARRIAGE
Sip & Sip Says:
“The finest film on teen marriage which starred Snooky Serna and Maricel Soriano.”
20.) LAGARISTA
Sip & Sip Says:
“Napakaguwapo kasi ni Piolo Pascual sa pelikulang ‘yan, eh. Haaayyyyyyyy!”
WRITER-DIRECTOR Joey Reyes has come up with a well acted crowdpleaser in his first Cinemalaya entry, “Mga Mumunting Lihim”, a story of friendship between four different women that charts the emotional high points and the painful low points in their relationship that spans several years. A brilliant mix of comedy and drama, it shows us the problems and challenges of maintaining a lasting friendship due to the fact that we are all flawed human beings with our own feelings of perennial insecurity and dissatisfaction for what we already have and envy for friends who we perceive to be happier than us.
The four ladies here are not the usual perfect goody-goody heroines. Each of them has her own faults and shortcomings, just like all of us, which make them more endearing, more believable, more relatable. Maybe you can identify with one of them or you can see your own friends in some of them.
The film starts with the death of one of the girls. We don’t want to give away so much of the plot, but the film then becomes more like a horror story when she then veritably returns from the dead to haunt her three remaining friends through the diaries she left behind. This unleashes an emotional tsunami since they’re all exposed as gossiping backstabbers. Really, with friends like them, who needs enemies? It shows that it really takes a lot of patience and forgiving and forgetting to nurture and keep a friend over the long haul of a lifetime.
Vastly entertaining and both hilarious and tragic, we’re at first bothered by the fact that Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, Janice de Belen and Iza Calzado don’t really belong to the same age bracket. But as you watch them interact on screen, you’ll easily forget this as there’s warm and even palpable chemistry between them in all their scenes together. They make you want to suddenly call friends you’ve not seen in years just to keep in touch again.
Even if it’s Iza Calzado who gets the longest screen exposure since it’s mainly from her point of view that the story unfolds, all the actresses here deserve to win best actress trophies as they all have their own big acting highlights. In Tagalog, “wala kaming itulak-kaibigin sa kanila” as they can all both be wickedly funny and tenderly touching. Maybe they should just win for ensemble acting as they’re all outstanding. Giving the award to just one of them will be an injustice to the other three.
direk joey’s pride & joy is “mga mumunting lihim”.
