Excursions: BERDE: Hindi lang Pula ang kulay ng Pag-ibig

It was a Sunday afternoon when i and my friends headed to the CAP Art Theater to grace our friend's invitation to a stage play. Our friend Rachel was one of the main acts on the story. The scheduled stage run was at 04:30PM but we were there in the theater by 4PM. Lucky we were early as the curtain was up at around 0410PM. We're given front row seats to watch the stage play with an intriguing logline.

Photo courtesy of Berde Production

"Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands"

-Berde

Synopsis:

The story evolved in the life of Edwin, a young homosexual who's been engaged in a romantic relationship with another guy named Butch. The story narrates on the immeasurable love of a mother who has been all through out Edwin's life very supportive. On the contrary, the play also presents the undying hate and frustration of a father towards his homosexual son.

The story heightened when Edwin's father - a dispatched military went home and incidentally caught Bruce and Edwin on the latter's bedroom kissing each other. A smash cut showing a confrontation of a father to his son and to his wife. The father has been putting blame on his wife for how his son has acted at present. In return, his wife blame him of being away from home but appealed to accept his son and love him. This led them to consult a "Psychiatrist" to seek for treatment of their son.

Long after, Edwin's father died of heart attack after a confrontation with him. Edwin seems to be pathetic of his father's death and only thinking of his own happiness. He has been on a constant battle of his love to Butch, thinking on how is he going to be with him. It came to the point when Edwin gave up his mum just to be with Butch leading to a nervous breakdown of his mother.

The story ended on a re-union of Edwin's mother and his one romantic true love - Butch.

This stage play was directed by Mr. Loyd Wilson Sato, a prominent writer and stage director in Cebu. The story was written in Filipino.

Reviews:

My Views and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the story, its producers or its Acts.

In our constant battle for rights, love and acceptance, it is indeed good to see productions like this which helps convey the message to everyone that homosexual does exist and with this existence comes a longing for everyone's acceptance and respect. As Focus Production (Berde producer) has reiterated at the beginning that, their goal is not to be number one nor the best but to be relevant. Yes, the story is indeed relevant to one's community where homosexuals are here and there. Undeniable fact that homosexuals have been out in the open expressing various thoughts and talks. The question i got from the story was "are homosexuals really accepted in the society or are we just being tolerated?" Sabi nga sa linyo ng play, "okay lang maging bakla, basta huwag lang magdamit pambabae kasi ang sagwa". Oh really? Funny it may sound but this is reality. Marami ngang nagsasabi ng ganito at hindi ko nalang imi-mention kasi baka mapuno lang yong page ko. It's like telling a kid it's okay to play as long as you just sit on the couch.

The play serves as an eye opener of this obscure love affair of two guys who represent thousands of men in the Philippines who feel the same way. Some would think that this is promoting immorality but i say this is stressing reality and awareness to all so as acceptance can be drawn. Morality is not an issue that was highlighted on this story (as we know it can delve into discussions/debates) but rather acceptance and love from the society. I am not saying that morality should be set aside but the fact is that moral standards vary from one culture to another. #justsaying

The ACTs:

Mother. No to be biased but i'm confident that majority if not all of the audience would agree to me that the one who really made mark on the show was Mrs. Ocampo - the mother of Edwin. Her acting was exemplary and looks pro. Jeez! i almost cry in one of the scenes. By the way, this role was portrayed by Rachel Layaog, a previous co-worker and a friend of mine. Her acting was so natural and very convincing. Her gestures suggest that of a real late 40's mother. Not to mention the powerful wardrobe. Jeez! i was like watching "Victoria Abella" of Magkaribal , "Behati" of Princess and I and Gretchen Barretto in real life. Kudos to Rachel's wardrobe team. She looked so elegant.

Father. His acting was also very convincing. He looked like a real cop. Gesture wise he's so good.

Edwin. He's good as well but sometimes, nasasapawan siya sa eksena sa galing ng Mother. Towards the end of the scene he shone most as an actor. He might have all the experience to give it all in the play.

Butch. He's as good as Edwin. Good for him as he had only few scenes with the Mother.

Psychiatrist. She was the medical doctor in the story but when she entered the scene we were all thinking that she's Inday -- katulong or just nobody but like that of Inday. Gesture wise, nakukulangan ako sa kanya. She sounds scripted as opposed to being natural. Worst, her wardrobe was poor as in very poor i should say. I don't even know if she got help on her wardrobe though, at least naman lang sana yong blazer or gown ng doktor. No offense but as part of the audience, i was not convinced that she's a doctor in that play.

More so, talking about my dislike on the "psychiatrist" character, i also wonder if the production had / have ever consulted professionals of this field. I was a lil shocked when the character threw lines "negative" connotations towards her client as should not be done in any ways in the realms of Psychology. Well, i must have an idea on this since i delved my 4 years studying this field in college. I had been into actual counselling field and was exposed to real Psychiatrist - Client relationship. The rule of thumb is, always convey messages in a positive way. I heard of a line from that doctor in the play saying "your son is indeed selfish" and the play constantly used the word "cure" in that scene with the doctor. I understand if the Parent would use that term "cure" as they take homosexuality as an illness but i was saddened when the doctor was using it as well. The doctor could have even corrected the parents and explain to them that homosexuality in not even an illness. Anyways, that scene was just a pea of the entire plot though but it makes sense as in reality it is a constant topic in talks/debates.

To sum it up, the stage play was indeed GREAT! I would like to personally greet the team - from writers, director contributors and benefactors, staff and the actors na nagpuyat at nangahas na maihatid ang napakaganda bagkos napaka kontorbersiyal na storya sa publiko. Well done guys. I am looking forward for your next production.

Indeed, you have proven to all na hindi lang pula ang kulay ng Pag-ibig. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!