Tanghalang Ateneo's DOLOROSA - how a religious image solves mysteries encompassed multiple generations

As Tanghalang Ateneo opens its 41st season with theme Ecriture Feminine that revolves around women, its first production focused on the wonders of a prominent Catholic figure, the Mater Dolorosa in Peter Zaragoza-Mayshle's "Dolorosa." This is directed by Jenny Jamora.

The 3-act play narrative showed generations with a complex history starting from the Spanish colonial period until the current time when the family is already dysfunctional and broken. You won't recognize the length of this 3-hour production as the playwright gave a very interesting development of the characters and also the mystery of the main figure, the Dolorosa.

The first act, starting with the creation of the image puts the imagination to be inspired on how the image would look like. Similar with the stories of history of what our ancestors have endured under the friars and we are greatly influenced of indulgences and spiritual factors.

While on the 2nd act, when the Filipinos still has a young perceptive of the modern world, we are still impacted with the supernatural. The 2nd act is very interesting though, a certain scene wherein the young Pilar (Zoe de Ocampo) has traveled to an unknown dimension where she meets the various titles of the Virgin. Parts of the Litany depicted in a mind-opening scene that was indeed memorable. Whether it's a fictional world or not, this ignites you to think of your belief. A thing that I would have not expected to come from a Catholic-run institution.

The 3rd act presents the drama and the humor of the whole play. It was a roller-coaster machine brought by the collective of the three generations of the family including the grown Pilar (Bibeth Orteza). Here we face some realities and confronts our own judgments and even our own evils. The characters turn into a redeeming stage which leaves you your own judgment and conclusion.

Cast of Tanghalang Ateneo's Dolorosa

Tanghalang Ateneo's Dolorosa runs until August 31, with shows at 2:30PM and 7:30PM at the Doreen Black Box Theater, 3F, Arete, Ateneo De Manila University.

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SILENT SKY review

From Reine Productions and Repertory Philippines, based on the story of a lady that followed the stars and made a great discovery about patterns that has changed the course of astronomical history and studies. Silent Sky has led Henrietta Leavitt (Cathy Azanza-Dy) to a breakthrough, though she left everything that made her -- family, and even raising a family of her own -- to pursue her dream.

In Silent Sky, we can learn how women were almost deprived of their abilities and left domesticated as what happened to Margaret Leavitt (Caisa Borromeo). How their rights were stooped down by the men and to do the hard work which pushed them to do greater things.

In a way, Silent Sky has this approach of making a totally nerdy play into something enjoyable and funny. Like the Big Bang Theory but tables have turned and there are more female than male cast (Topper Fabregas). There were also some cheesy line exchanges from Peter Shaw and Henrietta that will take your emotions above the moon and stars. The rise and fall of emotions will take the audience to an emotional whirlwind that are exciting. There is one great line between Shaw and Henri that will swoon us "...we're far, but not apart."

Adding to the great casting of Azanza-Dy, Borromeo and Fabregas are Ms Bibeth Orteza (as Annie Cannon) and Naths Everett (as Williamina Fleming) that can actually steal the show with their antics and presence. Ms Bibeth has this domineering but powerful dialogues that you will agree with and Naths performed a natural Scottish astronomer that also fueled Ms Bibeth's teases to Henri and Peter Shaw.

The production design that depicts the cosmos, the laboratory and the costumes that define the period are well executed that it didn't have to work on special effects made it extraordinary.

Silent Sky runs for 2 weekends only, starting from Feb 1-3 and Feb 8-10 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

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