Director: Soxie Topacio
Writer: Layeta Bucoy
Performers: Eugene Domingo, Edgar Allan Guzman, et al.
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Annabelle Rama and Lucy Torres have something in common. They were once avid followers of their now long-time husbands Eddie Gutierrez and Richard Gomez, respectfully. It is a rare opportunity for a screaming and blushing girl to be seriously courted by her ‘dream man’.
Fair is the deal with Annabelle and Lucy, but to Bona- a fictional character originally portrayed for film in the 80’s by Superstar Nora Aunor, fanaticism could be gravely dangerous. A touch could cost hundreds of thousands of pesos, and worship might lead to demise of relationships with loved ones.
I have not watched the film- only read it through the internet- and so I was intrigued when everybody else is talking about Eugene Domingo- yes, the versatile theater-tv-film comedy actress, being set to revive the role of Bona in a stage adaptation for the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).
The Premise
Bona (Eugene Domingo) is a spinster call center agent who excessively supports a reality-show contestant/ star wannabe Gino Sanchez (Edgar Allan Guzman).
An accidental viewing of Gino’s life story before getting in the contest “Star of Tomorrow” caused Bona to empathize with the teenager. Since watching it, she vows to support Gino until he is successful. Coinciding with this commitment is the series of unfortunate events consisting of her break-up with Jordan; hims robbing her off the team leader position because he romanced with their operations head, and the life-long dependence of her sister Vicky.
Bona follows Gino in mall shows and the recognition becomes intimate. She cleans him, she feeds him, and she supports him financially despite the opposition from her friends, family, and the sincere marriage offer of Bert- an established single man of her age.
She tries hard enough to fit to Gino’s lifestyle in the elusive world of showbizness. She believes of a love based on gratitude and not feelings. She resorts to false worship. Until one day she faces the truth that what she believes to sustain her actually consumes her.
BONA: A certified Gino’s Angel
Fanaticisim has always been a part of Filipino popular culture. For love teams, our parents have followed the ups and downs of Guy and Pip, Vilma and Bobot and William- Maricel. Our elder siblings knew what happened to Bobby- Angelou, Marvin- Jolina, Piolo - Judy Ann, Jericho- Kristine and Rico- Claudine. Our generation was once saturated with Gerald- Kim, John Lloyd- Bea and now Julie Ann- Elmo. For boybands, we had Westlife, A1, BSB. And now, we have KPop, Asianovelas and Hollywood continually making girls and guys alike to drool. Long before they were born, Bona already knew of such term- she once lived it.
In the beginning of the play, Bona is showed as a devout worshipper of the Black Nazarene. This trait s later hurt me because she has mismanaged her faith and used it to ask for Gino’s attention, a source of money for Gino’s launching picture (which is hardly pronounced by Gino as lunching piktyur), and as an escape in dealing with her dilemma.
Bona was a fool in believing that love could be earned through funding a starlet’s presscon and launching picture, doing the chores for him, and serving as his financier- personal assistant at the same time.
Given these, Bona received harsh and offending words from her friends, like:
“ Buti pa ang katulong eh, ang pagpapakahirap nila, may sweldo... ikaw wala”- Bert, convincing Bona that her efforts would not be payed back by love.
“Wag mo na lang bayaran ang utang mo, Bona. Sa iyo na ‘yan... abuloy ko na lang sa’yo!”- Buddy (Bona’s bestfriend)
Despite the criticisms toward her, Bona admitted that she is not stupid not to be realistic. As per her, “mas malulungkot ako kung sa kabila ng pagbibigay ko, wala pa rin siyang (Gino) narating”- which stresses the most commendable traits of Bona, as a person.
She is a woman of compassion. She never fails to help a family, a friend, or even a stranger. She is also understanding and composed. She did not lose her head even when dealing with Gino’s lamest excuses.
BONA bitches around
I would like to mention the ending part though when Bona deliberately splashed hot water to the scantily-clad Gino. The execution of that scene is just highly anticipated. Before the incident, Gino was ranting his life’s misery, and Bona, equally troubled with issues that she cannot share him, is just staring at the boiling water. The boiling water is a very good metaphor of Bona losing her composure and temper she could not contain it, hence, she threw him the water. And the last word of Bona is everybody’s wish she would say: Putang Ina Mo! – as hard as concrete. Not to mention that while cursing him, Bona was holding the Black Nazarene. Just mad genius! I wish I could be able to see that scene in the 80’s classic.
BONA and company
The acting is highly commendable. Uge, being the lovable comedienne that she is, once again proved that she is of high calibre and a dramatic actress better than those we watch during primetime. She was able to not go over the comic parts of the play. This restraint resulted in the balance of comedy-drama-tragedy feel of the story.
Edgar Allan did not show any weakness at all. He sounded drunk when drunk, he talked as if he was really a poor boy from the province (prejudice aside), and he made Gino’s character equal, if not more superior than Bona’s (considering that everyone is watching in awe at Eugene). Nonetheless, he was equally noticed. I saw artista wannabes in his portrayal, really. Those with ‘pity me’ stories yet after the competition have been on headlines due to ill manners and violence.
Aside from the two main cast, Bert is another fan favorite. Everyone appreciated his sincere offer to Bona. There were a lot of reactions during their doorknob, flower and lease contract scenes.
The following are sample dialogues (not in actual wordings):
“Ang doorknob, pag naluma, kinalawang, pwedeng ayusin...at pag naayos na, pwede mo na uling buksan ang pinto (ng ‘yong pusong nakasara)... para papasukin yung taong nasa labas.”
“Ang bulaklak, kahit gaano kabango at kaganda, ay nalalanta rin...”
“Yung kontrata na yan na lang ata ang nagdudugtong sa ‘ting dalawa. Ako, nahanap ko na ang kontratang pipirmahan ko at magpapaligaya sa ‘kin habambuhay. Ikaw? Sana mahanap mo na ang kontrata mo...”
“Andito lang ako, Bona... nasa baba lang ako kung may kailangan ka. May nasira mang doorknob o wala”
So sad...how could a love so sincere be so damn rejected? (Nakaka-relate ako?! Haha)
Going back. I also loved how she chose to destroy the image of Gino after all the worship she did. Gino’s body is his investment in showbizness. It is the body that Bona scrubs in the bath tub. It is the same body that Bona had sex with. And that body became the symbol for Gino’s deterioration and coming back to his reality- his sick status.
In all, Bona is full of symbolisms that would make us think: as ordinary men, up to what extent do we have to go to for the person we admire? Should we be blinded by his image and let submission sustain us and consume us at the same time? Or should we look into ourselves and discover the star that is there all along? It may be a humble person helping a sister, a true friend to a gay couple, or a ninang- benefactor to a promising Godchild. Whatever it is, I felt like I have known Bona for a long time and I am concerned about her after Gino in her life.
Si Bona at ako
Personally, I am a fan of Eugene Domingo. She looks so ‘masa’ yet she acts and carries herself so sophisticated. After the play, we were slightly saddened that there was no meet-and-greet since they still have a performance by 8 PM. So we contented ourselves with taking photos on the standees and tarpaulins. Before leaving the theater, we decided to glance upon the closest tarp to the back stage which contains pictures of the classic film by Lino Brocka. Later on, we heard an usher told the VIPs that they may see Eugene discreetly. We saw it as a chance and entered in the door quietly. And there she was... accommodating few guests while chewing on her early dinner.
We chanced an autograph, photo, and handshake with her. She is such a loveable creature. I wish I could be a certified Uge’s Angel, too.
