"...Ayaw ko ng apoy.." was the line of Mang Ruben before his dying breath in 'Mga Gerilya ng Powell Street'.
When I first saw the ad poster of the play 'Mga Gerilya ng Powell Street', it struck me and something drove me into watching it. Well aside from the fact that I am a World War II junkie, I have a soft spot for wartime veterans since some of my old folks were wartime veterans that is why I have that urge to watch this play.
The story revolves around the plight of the Filipino WW2 guerillas in the US who are lobbying for the Equity Bill that will grant them equal benefits with their American counterparts. As seniors waiting for their 'long distance call from Heaven', this Equity Bill will then grant them bigger pensions, including funeral benefits which in turn will grant their ultimate dream to be buried intact in their Motherland and not as a cremated being stuffed in what they call 'garapon ng bagoong'. The play portrays how they were just granted US citizenship but still denied the full privileges and benefits of American wartime veterans.
The show was very well balanced in a way that the comical part is well contrasted by the sadder events like their longing for their native country, their unfortunate stints with abusive relatives in the US and their ongoing fight for what is rightfully theirs . The play presented the veterans' issue more of as an awareness campaign rather than presenting it with an anti-american theme.Like what my girlfriend said, there are points in the plot where we are touched and on the verge of crying upon learning how the Pinoy veterans are coping with their 'last war' in the US.
On the lighter side, what I loved about the play is that they hit the older men's humor like the way they laugh, act, think,reason out, eye for younger women and how they curse; believe me, they exactly portrayed the manner how my lolos say the 'P' word! Each of the guerillas presented a unique character. From a bachelor DOM into a well-disciplined Major up to a loving father, the characters were able to touch the audiences' hearts with their comical and heartbreaking lines.
The play was very excellent. Hats off!If I have the chance, I will definitely watch it again.
Watch it at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute, Cultural Center of the Philippines from November 7-30 2008 3pm and 8pm showtimes. Tickets available at CCP and TicketWorld.
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