Theater luminaries bring back the glory of the "noble and
ever loyal city" through the staging of Nick Joaquin's Portrait of an Artist
as Filipino.
Repertory Philippines is staging this period play with Jose Mari Avellana at
the helm. In his director's notes, the son of National Artist for Film Lamberto
Avellana and National Artist for Theater Daisy Avellana considered himself too
close to the material. However, this in-depth knowledge of Portrait worked
well for the director (and the audience) since they were able to recreate the
mood of Filipinos two months before the outbreak of World War II.
SYNOPSIS. Standing among ruins of Old Manila (Intramuros) is a young man
who reminisces about an era gone by. Bitoy Camacho (Joel Trinidad) shifts back
and forth from the past to the present as he recalls the precious moments that
took place in the house of Don Lorenzo el Magnifico.
The audience is given a portrait of the Marasigan family living in Old Manila
in October 1941.
The story revolves around two of Don Lorenzo's daughters, Candida (played
alternately by Ana Abad Santos and Irma Adlawan-Marasigan) and Paula (Liesl
Batucan). They are both unmarried in their advanced age.
Candida and Paula are dependent on their married brother Manolo (Jeremy
Domingo) and their married sister Pepang (Jay Glorioso). After leaving their
ancestral home, the two have become obsessed with material things, prompting
them to take an interest in their father's self-portrait, which could fetch a
small fortune when sold.
However, Candida and Paula resist the temptation to sell their father's
masterpiece. Not even their charming boarder Tony Javier (Randy Villarama)
could coax them to change their minds.
Though smart and of good breeding, Candida and Paula find themselves now bereft
of money and resources. They are forced to leave utility bills unpaid, grovel
for work, and become the laughing stock and talk of the town. In spite of all
these, however, both Paula and Candida carry within them the glory of days
gone, the glory that allowed them to pursue a life filled with poetry, music,
conversation, and great art. The glory that is Filipino.
Imminent war, practice-blackouts, and sleazy figures from Manila's nightlife
make a wonderful context for Portrait of an Artist as Filipino.
THE VERDICT. Repertory Philippines is able to evoke nostalgia even among viewers who have no direct memory of pre-war Manila.
Viewers will be delighted by the magnificent Marasigan home decorated with an
ornate chandelier, a baby piano on one side, and two large capiz windows.
The excellent lighting design gives the impression of passing time and the
windows maximize the effect. As the day ends, lights cast an orange glow on the
surroundings, mimicking the setting sun.
Even though the story mainly revolves around Candida and Paula, Portrait
has an ensemble cast that provides memorable moments all throughout the
two-and-half-hour play.
In the last portion of the period play, friends of Don Lorenzo stream in one by
one to celebrate the Feast of La Naval. Listing them is a
Who's Who of Philippine theater: Baby Barredo, Chinggoy Alonso, Ernie
Zarate, among others. Memory lapses aside, they provide jolly
repartee that imparts their fondness for the good ol' days.
The two stars of the show, portrayed by Ana Abad Santos and Liesl
Batucan on preview night last January 15, were both impressive as "useless old
maids" trying to hold on to their pride and dignity.
As Candida, Ana could bring out chuckles when she deftly avoided being seen by
the neighbors during the blackout scene but in the next moment, she evoked
sympathy from the audience when she nearly broke down in humiliation.
"Poetry cannot save you from the bombs," admonishes their Ninong Don Perico
(Dido de la Paz), who has given up poetry for comfort and
riches. Both Candida and Paula remain strong in the midst of familial pressure,
but they have yet to withstand a much greater foe: the division of the
Marasigan family.
With reports from Shelley Jo Saracin
Performances of Portrait of an Artist as Filipino are scheduled until February
8, 2009 at Onstage Greenbelt 1 Theatre, Ayala Malls Makati. Catch Nick
Joaquin's A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino every Friday and
Saturday at 8 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:30 pm.
For ticket inquiries, call the Rep office at 887-0710 or Ticketworld at
891-9999.
