Komedya Antiqueña in Manila

Wow, we did not expect to have a big crowd on February 15 at the UP Amphitheater. Good thing the rest of UP chose our komedya over the other grander komedya versus Gloria at Makati. And we were happy to have some of UP's literati in the audience.

Tony Mabesa sat right in the center aisle, and he was enjoying himself. This would be confirmed later by a call from Dulaang UP's Manny Casalan, who happily informed us that Tony Mabesa was delighted with the komedya from Antique.

Fides Cuyugan came rather early to have a chat with Governor Sally Perez. Quoted from her text to Governor Perez the next day: "Congratulations dear Governor. What a treat you gave us!...Kudos and cheers to you for making it all happen! And of course, the director. Alex, right? It was almost Mozartian in execution.... Loved it!"

What exactly "Mozartian" meant, it sounds good, and coming from Fides Cuyugan, who remembers me, I am thrilled.

Writer and director Henry Tejero, who was responsible for bringing Fides, also texted me the next day: "We thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Fides and I were shuttled back to a wondrous time in our childhood. She, 70 years ago in Bicol when Bikol theater was a gilded realm; and me, 50 years ago when Ilonggo theater cast a golden afterglow. I must congratulate you for bringing glitter back into our hearts."

Such nice words. Thank you.

I know our komedya was well-liked for its provincial polish. But it was heart-warming to find kids, who did not understand Kinaray-a, earnestly listening to the luwa, getting thrilled with the batalya and the galyarda. And later, clambering up the stage to give flowers they picked from the hedges to Jean and Mercycar, who played princess and queen respectively. They also lost no time asking for photo ops, which their parents gladly obliged them.

Of course, we must thank the Antiqueños who came to watch and relive the happy days of the komedya in Antique: Governor Sally Perez, Edsel Moscoso, Popo Lotilla, Jairus Paguntalan, Susan Macabuag, Darlene Joy Posadas, Jun Sabug, Yul Quanico, Dong Elio, Manny Casalan, Tita Carina and family, Junjun Combong, Tita Mimi Gayatin, Arjee and Candy, Albert Paala, and the UP-based students who later text me they watched and enjoyed. Sr. Deanna, even called up while on a train in Bangkok, just to make her presence felt.

More than anything, I am happy for the actors, many of them first-timers, who had their day on stage at UP. They are the real stars of the komedya. So, when Cecile Guidote-Alvarez invited us to guest in her show Sining Gising at PTV4, we were so eager to say yes. Komedya Antiqueña has not only made its national premier at UP, it was also shown on national television. There is nothing more we could ask for.