Alikabok is inspired by the famous painting of Juan Luna, The La Bulaqueña, a portrait of a beautiful young girl, in quiet tones of blue and white, her hands folded on her lap, her eyes large and eternally sad. Alikabok is a story of this young girl who does not only awaken to the promises of womanhood, but more importantly, to a profound love for her country.
This years performances of Alikabok are sponsored by the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) Class 72 and The Outstanding Women in the Nations Service (TOWNS) Foundation. TOWNS is launching its search for awardees for 2004 in one of the shows, being able to identify with the story of a young woman who has the courage to defy traditional gender roles.
La Bulaqueña, the young lass in Lunas painting became Bising Vallejo in Musicats Alikabok. In the past, Bising has been played by Rachel Alejandro and my favorite, Cris Villonco. This year, Bising will be played by Waya Gallardo, a talented young lady who happens to be Celestes daughter. Joining her are theater actors Bodjie Pascua, Roy Rolloda and Noel Rayos.
China Cojuangco, who was cast in multiple roles in 2002s Alikabok plays Anna, the Filipino-American balikbayan raring to sell her husbands ancestral home. And just like in all of Musicats past productions, Alikabok enjoys the support of excellent, highly-talented Filipino musical theater artists in the chorus under the stage direction of Tony Espejo.
One day, I was on the phone with Celeste talking about, what else, but Alikabok. I requested her to ask Waya to write her thoughts on Alikabok, on Bising Vallejo, and on being Celestes daughter.
Here is Wayas letter. Read it and tell me if she doesnt remind you of the feisty Celeste:
The first time I ever saw the girl in the painting, she didnt strike me as classically beautiful, but her eyes held me. They were sad eyes, grieving eyes that told a silent story that my imagination could only begin to guess at. This was the face of a woman who was quietly damaged, and yet still strong and still whole. This hint of deep hurt made her all the more compelling. It made me want to know what happened to her.
I guess playing the character of Bising is my chance at last to create my own interpretation of what happened to that mysterious young woman. It will be a huge challenge, especially following in the footsteps of Cris (Villonco), who made a fabulous Bising. But Im looking forward to it, knocking knees and all.
Bising is an amazing character. Shes still very much a creature of her time, and it would be easy to play her as a stereotypical dalagang Filipina, all sweetness and light and batting eyelashes, who gets swept by the events of the revolution. Or maybe go the other direction and make her a two dimensional update of the empowered Pinay in barot saya, spouting one liners and decapitating guardia civil left and right. But that wouldnt be real. That wouldnt be right. Bising is a sweet girl, and a trifle naïve but shes also intelligent, and just a tiny bit stubborn. I dont want to make Bising into some cardboard cutout heroine. I want to make her human.
I mean, these women did exist, they did sacrifice their lives for the cause of freedom and whats more, because they were women, very few of them were given the recognition they deserved. So I need to get this right, I need to get Bising right. I guess I feel I owe it to those women and to that nameless, sad eyed Bulaqueña.
This is the first time Ive ever been called on to do the lead for a musical, and Im a little apprehensive, but I know Im in the presence of friends, people who wish me well and want me to succeed. The majority of the cast has been doing Alikabok since last year, and we all love this musical, maybe a little obsessively. Weve formed very strong bonds and weve cultivated an atmosphere of genuine mutual encouragement thats often rare in theater.
This supportive atmosphere is especially welcome since I have more than the pressure of a lead role to deal with which brings us to your second question, a question that Ive been asked a lot but am still not sure how to answer. Whats it like to be Celestes daughter? Its a lot of things mixed all together to create a situation of semi-schizophrenic proportions. Im extremely proud of my mother and what shes achieved. At the same time these very achievements cast a huge shadow on anything I do. The comparisons can be a real headache, especially when they come from people I dont even know. But Ive gotten used to it, and lately, it doesnt happen anymore. But when alls said and done, Im left with only the important facts. Both my parents, achievers though they are, have never and will never pressure me to be like them and have always supported me in whatever I choose to do. If I wanted to be a librarian, they would both be equally delighted (no offense meant to librarians; cataloging is hard work). I hope Ive managed to answer your questions to the best of my abilities."
Sincerely,
Waya Gallardo
Thank you, Waya. You are the biggest testament that Celeste and Nonoy have done their share to make this world a better, more exciting planet!