Jeksterville: Eyeball / Gimmick

On Oct. 16, 2006, the stage was set for my Philippine Literature class. My students were to present their play as part of their finals. They had only about a month of practice because it took me a while before I found a piece that they could relate to. Aside from that, I made sure that it'd be light on memorization and easy to understand.

I chose a play entitled Sa Sabado Sa Sam's by Chris Martinez (of Sukob and ZsaZsa Zaturnnah: Ze Musikal). When I first read it, I immediately knew that it was the right piece for my students. Because its theme was quite adult in nature, I had to make a few adjustments and adapt it to the nature of my students. I also managed to infused some musical numbers in it. Then, after a while, I saw the 10-minute play written by Alfonso Dacanay called Eyeball (included in the book compilation called 10x10x10). I felt that it had to be included in our play so I made it our first act. Unlike Sam's, I only tweaked a few dialogues in it. Some of my actors had a hard time pronouncing some dialogues - English kasi. Not to belittle them but they are not exactly used to speaking the language. "Masang-masa" kasi.

In Eyeball, the characters are Patrick (Alfred Edji Lorenzo - on the pic sitting down) and Eileen (Rosalie Dave - girl in stripes on pic) who are about to meet for an eyeball. They have been chatting online and talking on the phone for quite some time and decided to take a step further. Only that when Patrick saw Eileen, he realized that she wasn't the girl for him judging from how she looked. With them are Eileen's gay best friend, Wilson (Edwin Reinier Reyes - in black shirt on pic), and Patrick's cousin, Rosemary (April Labicane). Among the four, Rosalie and Edwin stood out in their perfomances. They were very relaxed and natural.

My version of Sam's was entitled Sa Manang's in the beginning. I changed it to Gimmick to coincide with the first act. Gimmick is about a group of five friends who vented out each other's problems all throughout the week before Saturday came - their group gimmick day. The characters were all in their teens - college level. In Chris's work, their ages ranged from 24-25 - working individuals.

Second act opened with Ryan (Darwin Sto. Domingo -left) and Quely (Shirley Taculog -right). Ryan is a gay guy whose main concern was not having a boyfriend. (Originally, he is Lloyd who just broke up with his boyfriend.) The moment Darwin spoke, the audience cheered. Most of them were shocked on how good his portrayal of a gay guy. He is straight and nobody knew that he could pull of such act.

Napabilib niya rin ako several times with how he delivered his lines. Kahit may mga nakalimutang linya, go pa rin! Adlib to death! He has gotten most of the laughs by the audience.

The last part of his Tumatakbo musical dream sequence (with Gilbert Umali)
Quely and Ella's (Jenipher Casabuena) scene followed next. Quely was in between accepting or not accepting her parent's separation. She feels that the separation would be mostly hard for her younger siblings. (Originally, she is Pating who recently lived on her own and learned that her parents are separating).

I had difficulty adapting her character. Mahirap kasing lagyan ng patawa ang isang seryosong topic tulad ng paghihiwalay. Her scene was the shortest among the five characters because I couldn't stretch it any longer.

The picture shows Quely singing Mama by Smokey Mountain. Her mom was working as a domestic help in HK when she came to back and finally decided on the separation. The song was played in full volume and it almost made me cry including some of the audience. It somehow reminded me of my mom. Shirley mostly just stood in front and sang the song. Despite the lack of movements, it was very touching! One of the best parts that day!

Next scene was that of Ella and Eric's (Rinky Soriano). Ella's dilemma is that she feels conscious about her looks. She feels that she is ugly. Eric tries to comfort her by saying that she isn't. But calrifies that she isn't pretty either. (Originally, she is Peaches who has the same problem as Ella. I didn't change much of her dialogues. Iniklian ko lang.)

Jenipher was really good during rehearhals. However, nervousness got the better of her on stage. She wasn't able to give her best but her Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko production number is still a blast!

Eric (with Hannah - Rochelle Tupaz) recently got basted by a girl. Ang himutok niya ay pinaasa siya nung nililigawan niya, si Daisy. He feels that Daisy should have told him from the start that he has no chance with her. However, because he loves her, a part of him still wishes that she would come to her senses and agress to become his girlfriend. (Originally, he is Mario, a marijuana user. You see why I needed to change his characterization?)

A scene from the Beer musical sequence

In the last scene before the finale, Hannah is contemplating on breaking up with her boyfriend. She thinks that he is having an affair with someone because he hasn't communicated with her the night before when he promised that he would. "Ni isang text wala," she said. (Originally, she is Harlene who just broke up with her boyfriend).

In her Paalam Na production number, Rochelle cried bucket of tears. It wasn't in the script that she should cry or even during rehearsals. But she did on stage! It lasted for 2 minutes or so. 'Yun pala, during one of the scenes, she was accidentally hit by another actor. Sa sobrang sakit, napaiyak siya. The good thing was that it perfectly fit the finale of the song.

The last scene is when they all meet for their Saturday gimmick. They meet in their favorite tambayan, Manang's, only to discover that it is close for some unknown reason. So instead of hanging out there, they quickly decide where to go. The decide to go to Ryan's place to watch a pirated copy of Sukob.

Overall, the play was a success! There were a few glitches but the important thing was that the audience enjoyed the event. It was evident in their laughters!

If plans would push through, we'll stage it again this coming semester. Only that it'd be bigger and better than the first production. Audience wouldn't be limited to those who could fit a certain room. It'd be done on a proper stage for the whole school to see! I'm crossing my fingers...