BEHIND
THE SCENES
This was the first time of ABCO3 productions to produce
a theatrical play. Due to their Introduction to Theatre Class under
Professor Jade Dionzon, the class had to conceptualize, make
a script, choose casts, costumes, props, market the play and do
anything and everything to make the first time play a success.
Director Paula Sasota was never new in leading huge
groups like this but theatre play is another perspective for her
which she found to be adventurous and challenging. For her, it is
a dare to work on a genre that is sad and would get the attention
of the audience to sympathize with the casts. She confessed that
it wasn’t easy being in the position but through the collaborative
efforts and hearing positive feedbacks from a diverse audience,
she was pleasantly overwhelmed. Not taking her smile off her face
she added, “This is an accomplishment, every one of us could brag
about it and as a director, for me it was more than rewarding.”
Kevin Arjay Gever, whose mind gave birth to this heart-crushing
story, gave the audiences the opportunity to travel to the past.
Scriptwriter Monica Cueto gave each of the characters an
enthralling story to tell, stitching the story together with a given
concept by Gever. Cueto with story contributors and translators
Lenny de Asis, Pia Villahermosa and Austere Gamao cooked
up the perfect lines for drama adding a little spice of humour,
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making the crowd send waves of “Aww” and “Haha”. The tragic
fates of the characters sent the crowd grasping every inch of the
next scenes.
From the script to the casts, the production team has
become meticulous. Since it’s a story of getting back to the time of
Japanese era filled with cries and pains, the casts have to portray
the feeling the way ancestors have felt during that period. Playing
the lead roles are Jess Senido as young Manny Razon, Roem Ortiz
as the old Manny Razon, Robert James Lesterio as Julio Razon ,
Gecky Camille Escaro as Maria Razon and Razon sisters, Karla
Panganiban as Anita Sherizze Acot as Luna and Dianarra Torres
as Remedios and granddaughter played by Mia Concel. The so
called- ‘bad guys’ Japanese soldiers are played by Rowel Dela Pena
as Capt. Hajime, Austere Rex Gamao as Pvt. Abe, Kurt Soberano
as Pvt. Mamuro.
However, it wasn’t cries after all as romance is witnessed
between Pvt. Akihiro played by Arjay Gever and Luna. The
family’s helpers, Tatay Nato and his son Toto, played by Kiefer
Reje and Jamhes Gever respectively brought humour and gave
laughter to the viewers.
HUBIN MAGAZINE