Pinaiyak Ako ng Sandosenang Sapatos

Pagbungad pa lang namin sa loob ng CCP, pumukaw na ng aking pansin ang 2013 PBBY-Alcala Prize Winners and Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (InK) Exhibit sa Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino Lobby. Ang mga likhang-sining sa nasabing exhibit ay mga nagbibigay ng anyo, hugis, kulay, pakiramdam pati na mga damdamin sa mga libro ng mga kwentong pambata. Ginahan tuloy mangarap at maglaro ang paslit sa puso ko. Kung gusto ninyo pa nga, tingnan pa ninyo eh.

Uy, tara na.Baka matunaw ang mga 'yan. Mahuhuli na kaya tayo't nagcha-chimes na eh! Pasok muna tayo.

Wow! Ganda. Taray. Di tuloy mapigilan ng kasama kong magpapicture.

Ay! Nasita kami tuloy ng usherette sa kaka-IG ko kahit wala akong IG. Kinailangan kong patayin ang digicam at lumabas nang i-alok sa'min nung nagpalit ng aming mga media pass na yari sa laminated glossy cartons na naging plastic cards. Sa bagal ng proseso at bilis ng chimes, pinigilan ko na lang yung bibig ko; nirendahan ko na lang yung kamay ko; pumasok at umupo na lang uli sa upuan ko.

Ta's, bigla na lang tumutulo yung luha ko.

Yung eksenang binabaha mo ng luha mo ang buong stage pero yung kasama mo ay unaffected pa rin at maluha lang nung namatay yung tatay ng bida. ShutangInaBeks!

Palagay ko hindi 'to dahil sa mga rollerblades na aking kinaiingitan o sa mga sapatos na aking inaasahang mairegalo sa'kin. Kagagawan 'to ni Susie (Trixie Esteban). Napakatalim ng kanyang napakatinis na tinig na lumalaslas na ito ng pulso't puso. Pinatatalas pa ito ng liksi ng mga kalarong sapatos na nag-iiba-iba ng anyo (Marco Viaña, Remus Villanueva, Jovanni Cadag, Ralph Mateo, Aldo Vencilao, Doray Dayao, JV Ibesate, Antonette Go at Lhorvie Nuevo); pagmamahal ng kanyang Tatay (Jonathan Tadiohan), Nanay (May Bayot) at Ate (Regina de Vera) at pagsulpot ng bonggang-bongga ni Tessa Prieto-Valdez bilang Diwata na suot ang kasuotang pinagtulung-tulungang gawin nina Leeroy New, James Reyes at Tuxqs Rutaquio. Pilit lang itong pinakakalawang ng mga sintunadong boses at ng isang takip ng kahon na naunang bumukas pero patuloy pa rin sa pagluha ang mga mata ko.

Kitang-kita ang de kalibreng pagtutulungan nina Tuxqs Rutaquio at Layeta Bucoy. Naintindihan ng direktor ang bangis ng pantasya't realidad ng isang batang may kapansanan na ipinipinta ng manunulat ng libretto. Hindi na rin siya nahirapang likhain ang mundong 'yon kasama ang taga-disenyo ng ilaw na si John Batalla, taga-disenyo ng tunog at gitaristang si TJ Ramos, kompositor na si Noel Cabangon, katuwang na kompositor at musical director na si Jed Balsamo, perkusyonistang si RJ Alfafara, mga taga-disenyo ng kasuotan na sina Leeroy New at James Reyes at choreographer na si Gerald Mercado.

Ang lahat ng ito'y wala kundi dahil kay Dr. Luis Gatmaitan na may-akda ng orihinal na kwento.

Sa tuluy-tuloy na pagluha, isang bahaghari ang makikita habang sa ibabaw nito ay aking natatanaw ang puso kong nahati na sa gitna kasama ng labing-isa pang mga nakatingala.

Nasa'n kaya dito ang puso ko?

Andrama 'ba? Tara, picture picture na!

Nainggit ka, 'no? Gusto mo rin? May oras pa. Punta na dito.

Japan, Japan: Free Films for Everyone Ratings

 Queueing. It's just the same as Eiga Sai 2012 but it's more organized in Eiga Sai 2013. As of the moment, I have just finished watched these films.

Trilogies. It's more sentimental in Always-Sunset on Third Street 1, 2 and 3.

Cooking. It's more therapeutic in Rinco's Restaurant.

Dorm living. It's more thrilling in Parade.

Childhood. It's more reminiscent and memorable in Mai Mai Miracle.

Image-building. It's more important than talent in Japan, Our Homeland

Black sheep. It's more relative to us in About Her Brother.

Revenge. It's more grim and complex in Confessions.

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Medical missions. It's more of a vocation than a profession in Dear Doctor.


Craving for more? Visit Japan.

"C" the Virgin

What's with the big C?

Coincidence!

Set C of VLF 8 has only one interesting play included in the Set E of VLF 9.

But not anymore!

With a clean conscience, I declare Set C of VLF 9 the Set E of VLF 10.

Let me count the ways.

If Cooking Could Kill

In Pamamanhikan, two grannies contemplate on their crossroads of coping with a daughter's " ma petit chou" and the complexities of their closeness as they cook. The intensity of Ester's anger triggered Ama Quiambao's heart attack, ensuing suspense and closing the curtain only to be opened five days later. (To help her recover, click.) Hermie Concepcion came in to resurface Ester in her dignified reading. Carme Sanchez continued creating tensions, cracking punchlines and concocting curiosities being Ibyang. Bernadette Villanueva Neri's cryptics morphed into the gateway of the taboo while JK Anicoche's technique convinced me to watch it twice. Who would have thought coming out would be more fun?


Identity Crisis

In Ambong Abo, two daughters are crying their hearts out as their father cries out his true identity in Central Park, New York. Madeline Nicholas' Dolly, who embodies modernity perceived in the eyes of a middle aged woman, and Stella Cañete's Magda, who exemplifies tradition in the face of the new generation, are bonded with their father, Ambo, played by Joe Grutas, and his dreams and hopes to move on in their hometown. Roobak Valle's mise en scene complements and supplements Em Mendez's triviality. Who would have thought it made my friend cry?


Conspiracy Completed

In Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady, two sisters clash in a reccuring conflict as one is being confronted with true love as the other carries her old predicaments in carrying out her new life's mission. Kiki Baento's Mely is a real life comic Cinderella that still charms the crowd while Hans Eickstein's Leading Man justifies his extraordinary Prince Charming prowess. Skyzx Labastilla drove everybody crazy from being the dumb blond Viva to the dominatrix Malevolence. Chris Martinez's creative cookiness carved Carlo Vergara a.k.a. CarVer's first play into a possible prequel to a progressive Philippine superhero franchise. Who would have thought theater turned 3D?


Costing Php 300 a ticket, catch them tonight, July 5, at 10 pm in CCP's Tanghalang Huseng Batute.

C U!