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PETA summons the spirit of Balagtas for upcoming play
The cast of "FnL" during the opening scene.
The Philippine Educational Theater Association's upcoming play "FnL" promises to be a fresh and interesting new production.
Written by award-winning playwright Rody Vera, PETA senior artist-teacher Anj Heruela and UP scholar Maynard Manansala, and directed by Ian Segarra, it is certainly a play to watch out for.
Following the lives of Lance (played by Eko Baquial and Deli del Rosario), a Fil-am balikbayan hoping to become a star in Philippine showbiz, and Flor (played by Meann Espinosa and Divine Aucina), a promdi call center agent, the play explores the different subcultures in the Philippines.
The two stumble upon each other when they both experience sudden urges to speak Old Filipino words that they themselves do not understand. As they search for the answers behind their strange gift, they open the audience's eyes to a world of languages, ranging from Tagalog and English to Bekimon and Jologs.
The two stumble upon each other when they both experience sudden urges to speak Old Filipino words that they themselves do not understand. As they search for the answers behind their strange gift, they open the audience's eyes to a world of languages, ranging from Tagalog and English to Bekimon and Jologs.
Writers Anj Heruela, Maynard Manansala, Rody Vera.
"FnL" is very loosely based on Francisco Balagtas's epic poem "Florante at Laura." Balagtas is one of the Philippines' greatest writers, who lived in the early parts of the 19th century.
Although the play takes a life of its own, themes from the poem—namely "betrayal and bayang sawi"—are still reflected in the play, as actor Ariel Diccion pointed out. He shared that perhaps that is what the audience should like to see—a new understanding of "bayang sawi" relevant to more modern times.
Although the play takes a life of its own, themes from the poem—namely "betrayal and bayang sawi"—are still reflected in the play, as actor Ariel Diccion pointed out. He shared that perhaps that is what the audience should like to see—a new understanding of "bayang sawi" relevant to more modern times.
Seeing as "FnL" is a bizzare blend of past and present, it offers the audience a chance to better understand how Philippine culture has evolved. It helps people appreciate anew the different languages, and perhaps some inspiration to relearn what has been seemingly forgotten—Balagtas and the Old Filipino tongue. — VC, GMA News
For details and tickets, interested showbuyers may contact PETA Theater at 725-6244 or 0917-5765400 or email them at petatheater@gmail.com. Tickets are also available on Ticketworld or 891-9999.
