The Vagina Monologues

CEBU, Philippines - "A growing male audience would make more vaginas happy." This is an appeal to the male community to watch "The Vagina Monologues" slated at the Ayala Onstage Cinema (Cinema One) on April 25, 8 p.m.

The play's director Sarah Mae P. Enclona points out that feminism is not an anti-men idea; and that "The Vagina Monologues" isn't geared at men bashing. Rather, the piece celebrates women's sexuality and strength with humor and grace. That, essentially, men are part of that struggle to end violence against women, girls and children.

Thirty brave Vagina warriors of Cebu will lend their voices in the monologues, which aims to bring to light the situation and conditions of women and girls around the world; in the hope that the violence inflicted on at least one billion women every year will finally be put to an end.

Cebuano women from all walks of life will deliver the lines of the various monologues, in tones colored by their own personal experiences. The readers include Christina Garcia Frasco, Cattski Espina, Chai Fonacier, Laurie Boquiren, Andrea Pateña, Angela Figueroa-Paulin, Holly Dychangco, Maki Garcia Evans, Jean Altavas, Candice Hintz, Joan Saniel Amit, Patty Taboada, Tara Cabaero, Kyra Cabaero, Carmel Cabaero, Emy Pedrosa, Iris Polotan Laing, Elaine Bathan, Nikky Yu Montesclaros, Iris Castillo Cular, Hortensia Villa, Cariza Aguinaldo, Clare Ramos, Salumie Escoreal, Aleah Reca Alerre-Lim, Brazilia Racaza-Valdez, Charlene Virlouvet, Gem Icamen, Pami Therese Estalilia, and Jude Bacalso (to speak for trans-women).

Enclona, who brought The Vagina Monologues for the very first time to Cebu in 2001 (featuring Monique Wilson's New Voice Company), is producing artistic director of 2TinCans Philippines and organizer of V-Day Worldwide Campaign Cebu 2014.

The play is based on the award-winning work of V-Day founder/playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women. Through this play and the liberation of the once taboo word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. For more than 12 years now, The Vagina Monologues has given voice to women experiences and feelings not previously exposed in public.

The current play material is hailed by The New York Times as "funny and poignant" and by the Daily News as "intelligent and courageous."

The Vagina Monologues, which was first performed off-Broadway by Ensler, delves into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement buried in women's experiences.

The beneficiary of this Cebu performance of the play is the Bidlisiw Foundation, Inc. in Sawang Calero, Cebu City. Bidlisiw is a social development non-government agency which works on improving quality of family and community life among Filipinos, with special emphasis on alleviating the plight of disadvantaged children. (FREEMAN)