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| Alpha Kappa Omega, ang simula at wakas ay Kapatiran (Photo by Waldo Katigbak) |
One of Philippines greatest film ever made is Batch 81 by
Director Mike De Leon starring Mark Gil as Sid Lucero, the iconic character of
Gil is now another name in showbiz thru his son who choose that screen name, we
all know this movie made impact as it premiered in Cannes Film Festival as
Director’s Fortnight in 1982.
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| Photo by Waldo Katigbak |
Fast forward today in 2019, Batch 81 made a debut in
Rizal Mini Theater inside Ateneo De Manila Loyola Campus as Alpha Kappa Omega,
the stage adaptation by Tanghalang Ateneo under the Direction of Guelan Varela-Luarca,
it open last March 20.
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| Photo by Darice Dela Cruz |
Same story with the movie, but it was set in the present
where social media and technology rules along with pressing issues of the
country, it all tell a story of 6 neophytes who want to join a fraternity,
their hardships and survival in grueling initiation process until they became
one of the masters as they called their senior brothers.
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| Sid Lucero portrayed by John Sanchez (Photo by Waldo Katigbak) |
The play during its opening showcase a lot of movements,
doing scenes one after another and to the least, 5 scenes simultaneously alternating
in one sequence that honestly is kinda tiring to watch but vigorously making
you alert to what will happen next.
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| (Photo by Aga Olympia) |
One thing we like about this adaptation is how they revolve
the story on the six main characters, unlike in the movie that centered to Sid
Lucero, this presentation gives faces to other neophytes who like Sid is also
undergoing challenges as student and as lovers.
Sid is portray by John Sanchez, a charmer on its own in the stage.
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| Pacoy and Susan (Photo by Waldo Katigbak) |
But the scene stealer of Alpha Kappa Omega is the girl
playing Susan, her very short appearance create impact due to his delivery and
timing for comedy, she is Francesca Lois Dela Cruz, who also a member of the
costume team of the play.
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| Photo by Waldo Katigbak |
Other cast includes Earvin Estioco (formerly play Janus
Silang in past TA play), Ron Capinding, Nico Nepomuceno, Ymo Escurel and Cholo
Ledesma, Ram Catan, Soc Delos Reyes, Aric Matthew Mamonluk, Renzo
Christian Guevara, Kyle Tan, Chrisse Joy
Delos Santos, Maxine De Jesus, Alyssa Binay, Dani Capinding, Merryl Soriano and
a lot more.
During the Question And answer portion after the matinee
last March 23, Director Luarca discuss on how he got the blessings from Mike De
Leon to making it alive once again in theater, his father is one of the
neophytes in the said film and that’s where the connection started.
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| Photo by William Moreno |
“It is dear to my heart because my father played the role
of one of the neophytes, I grow up watching this film so this is a tribute and
also a way to revitalize the social commentary, the critique that Mike De Leon
express thru his film, and we hope that we touch that.” Says by Luarca.
Creating Alpha Kappa Omega is a team effort according to
Luarca, many of his wonderful cast help him building the lines for the play,
some wrote their own dialogues and monologues for their character that help in
great way according to Luarca.
“Sana makapukaw sya ng mga kaisipan na malalim at
mapanuri tungkol sa ating lipunan.” Luarca added.
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| The Cast and Artistic Team of Alpha Kappa Omega |
Playdates for AKO: Alpha Kappa Omega are March 20-23,
26-30, April 2, 6 and 9-13, 7:30 PM while Saturday shows start at 2:30pm at
Ateneo De Manila’s Rizal Mini Theater at the University Faber Hall, they are
open for show buying, bulk buying just contact Genny Taira Supit at
0917.115.0520.
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