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| an angelic scene in "mnl trapik" (photo courtesy of MATA productions) |
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| mr. ishtak khabarov stern |
Okay, kanina nanood ako ng isang theatre play sa PHILCOA, kaunting kembot lang mula sa UP Diliman. Bale sa Teatro Papet Museo 'yung venue - a very intimate and an unexpected place para sa isang theatre production.
The play is titled "MNL Trapik", written by Cebu based playwright Emmanuel Mante, and directed by Chris Dagsil. It is about the stories of Pinays who were victims of human trafficking in our local country, and international roots. The whole play is actually composed by three one act plays pero pareho ang topic.
Well, let's talk about the place muna.
As I said, intimate nga ang place, made for about 200 to 300 audience only, or mas kaunti pa nga. Improvised at halu-halo ang mga upuan. May mga upuang pang teatro talaga, may mga metal chairs na kadalasang makikita sa mga labas ng bahay (usually sa backyard or sa garden ng mga mayayaman na tao). May ilang upuan rin na karaniwang makikita sa mga sari-sari store. 'Yung gawa sa cocolumber or hard driftwood. Ayon, talagang modernist na realist.
Then, yung mismong set ay minimalist. Realistic ang mga gamit: office chair, table and small versions of it, may kapihan pa nga at santo.
Sa taas ay may nakasabit na mga wooden crates, as a form of art or design. Basta pirmis ang disenyong 'yon.
Okay, story number one.
Titled "Ate", it tells the story of Jovie (Alecks Ambayec) na biktima ng human trafficking at kasalukuyang isang prostitute or service girl na pumunta sa isang center at doon, nakilala niya si Jace (Esteban Fulay, Jr.) na isang social worker. Nag-usap sa umpisa, hanggang nagkaungkatan ng kuwento at sa huli, may natutunan sila sa bawat isa.
Sa pangalawang kuwento, titled "Cherry Blossom Eskapo", Sarah (Goddess Amparo) seeks refuge to a man named Andrew (Ali Hooshmand) in Japan, after running out to her job as a guest relation officer (GRO), which was different to the job which was offered to Sarah. Hindi inaasahan ni Sarah ang mga patung-patong na kasinungalingan at kawalang awa alang-alang lang sa pagkita ng malutong na pera.
The last story is titled "Eva Hamok" and played by Micah Musa all by herself. Tungkol naman ito sa pagiging desperada sa pag-asa na yayaman siya sa pag-aasawa ng mga foriegners through online dating.
"Ate" cements the story with the right amount of wordplay, and it is unexpectedly gritty, at to be honest, medyo nakakaiyak, at nakakapanggigil ang bawat eksenang ikinukuwento ni Jovie and kaniyang masalimuot na kinahantungan. Jace balanced this and delivered such power to it na pati ako, hindi ko alam kung saan papanig.
Sa second story, "Cherry Blossom Eskapo", I will say, this is my favorite segment out of three. This is the most intense story. Full of realized characters, unpredictable scenes and intentions - and it all suddenly crumbled up na hindi ko maiwasang ma-overwhelm. Minimalist as it could be, but this depicts what human will is, for better or for worse - for dignity or money.
The third story delivered pretty well. Micah Musa slapped the audience with her tour-de-force performance as two alternate personality in one body, questioning her actions and repeatedly falling into pieces, then she tried to glue herself again, only to be smashed again by overwhelmness.
Overall, MNL Trapik is an intense experience. Not for the close minded, it's in your face narrative, pure truth, and masterfully crafted. Propelled by unmatched performance, MNL Trapik is one of the best theatre plays in years, but an underrated one, as it will run for a couple nights. I spotted a few flaws and errors but it was forgivable, thanks to their performances. After the play, I was not ready to leave the theater yet, dahil tumatakbo pa rin sa isip ko ang mga pangyayari. Masakit sa puso, napakasakit sa isip.
written by: ishtak khabarov stern
(Rating: 3.5/4 stars)
Watch and support them, MNL Trapik will still run, I think, on 15, 17 or 18 of February. P250 entrance fee. Bring your friends, your squad. Support local theater. Highly recommended.
#MNLTrapik
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| curtain call for "mnl trapik" |
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