DLSU Harlequin Theatre Guild brings its 2k13 batch of apprentices into the limelight with its latest production, DuLa Salle 2K13: Silang Mga Walang Pangalan. Set within the walls of the university, the show is divided into four plays with each one delving into the struggles of the anonymous campus employees as they balance their professional and personal lives. For this Rant & Rave, we look at each of the four plays forming this year’s roster.
Sekq
The play opens with the light-hearted superhero parody Sekq, where two security guards who recently left their post at a warehouse find themselves delegated into the most usual job in the most unusual of places. Taking their post as bag inspectors in Universe City (which is a clever parallelism of DLSU), our heroes must deal with the hilarity and quirks of the students when Super Visor leaves them temporarily in charge.
As the opening segment, Sekq manages to capture the audience’s attention in its first few minutes with loud action sequences and quick fire comedy. From the sound effects, colorful costumes, and effective Ben-Day dots make-up style, the whole segment impressively gives the audience the feel reminiscent of those in comic books. However, several scenes feel overacted and forced for the sake of comedy. In addition, the story may have justified the importance of security guards, even if only superficially, but it fails to delve deeper into their problems, unlike the subsequent plays. Nevertheless, beneath the hilarious antics and brouhahas, the moral is clear and well- delivered: even the ordinary can do something awe-inspiring.
Rating: 2.5
Comfort Room
Comfort Room tells the story of a woman who works in Manila as a janitress. With the school restroom as its backdrop, the segment presents her encounters with different characters such as a co-worker whose relationship with her husband is not what it seems, a bevy of conyos, and a student who feels estranged from her parents. But amidst her problems with clogged toilets, a condescending boss, and incessant taunts from students, she remains optimistic with her will to attend her sister’s graduation as her driving force. An idyllic romance between the protagonist and a plumber is thrown in to give a dash of comedy to this heartwarming story about family.
Comfort Room steers away from the saccharine plot of Sekq by exploring serious social issues such as families where the parents have no time for their children and domestic abuse. The performance of Nico Castromayor and Rocky Zafranco, who play transsexual best friends, instantly yields the audience to erupt with laughter with their gestures, even the subliminal ones. Moreover, Caitlin Caseňa’s portrayal of a struggling employee with a penchant for belting out songs during work hours will surely strike a lasting note among the audience.
Rating: 3.0
Papel
Papel, unlike its two predecessors’ comedic performances, presents a more emotional tale of our oft-unnoticed heroine – the lady photocopier. The story gives a glimpse of a day in the life of Tess, an ordinary lady photocopier who is barraged with problems in both her family and her work. From humorous talks with friends to apathetic student customers to the saddening illness of one’s child, the play was able to take a well-rounded view of the highs and lows of the unsung heroine who only wishes the best for her leukemic son, Dindo.
The strong point of the play was in its ability to move the audiences. There was an ingenious use of props, transforming the two photocopy machines into a hospital bed. Clever execution of interpretative dance sequences was also to behold, specifically in scene transitions. The role of the janitor as a love interest to the protagonist did not really serve much significance in the play, except maybe as passing moments to woo the audience and to build interest. In its totality, Papel is truly a saddening tale. The simplicity of the story, yet the complexity of the problems stressed goes to show that there is more to our lady photocopiers than meets the eye.
Rating: 3.5
Langaw sa Pader
Of the four segments, Langaw sa Pader holds the most intriguing storyline. Jun, a technician who goes about fixing broken air conditioners and computer projectors, seems at a loss of words when conflict arises, whether it is at work where students and professors alike complain when he fails to make the AC work, or at home where his brother fights with his wife because of his mistakes. Bombarded by contempt from both work and home, he struggles to cope with something long lost and to fix something long broken. Amidst all the strife, he finally reveals the true reason for his quiet and mysterious nature. The story ends with Jun seeking resolution and finally deciding to fix his life.
The transitions used are quite creative, catching viewers by surprise when a new scene was to unfold. The light effects and music were also apt in expressing the psychological depth of Jun’s troubles, further giving a mysterious feel to the tale. Joshua Tayco’s portrayal of a technician is also commendable, and will surely leave a lasting impression on the audience. Though the play does not have a tear-jerking appeal, Langaw sa Pader is able to entice the audience, leaving them wondering what goes on in Jun’s mind who has witnessed a great many things, but is very reserved in expressing them through words.
Rating: 4.0
***
DuLa Salle 2K13’s minimalist approach had to rely on cutout back drops, medium-scale props, and proficient switches of lighting and sound effects to augment the cast’s acting. The prevalent mood whiplash which starts from comedy to drama would probably alienate some viewers as it’s hard to get into the tone of the play, considering that each segment lasts for an average of only 30 minutes. However, the production accomplishes its objectives well.
By deconstructing the facade of our four taken-for-granted school workers, viewers get to see a different perspective into their lives and personal struggles as soon as they change from their blue-collar uniforms into their home clothes. They’re not just nameless faces, rather they are people who have aspirations to succeed and families who depend on them for support. It’s a powerful message that we all can take into heart for the upcoming National Heroes Day, with a style that only the DLSU Harlequin Theater Guild can deliver.
Overall Rating: 3.0