Commendable performance of ‘Goyo’ cast

RS Francisco first played the role of Song Liling in “M Butterfly” when he was 18 years old. Back then, the challenge was how to portray a 40-year-old when he was still young.

Reprising the character in the newest staging of “M Butterfly” is another challenge for RS. He is bringing more depth into the role of Song Liling since he is now more experienced and mature.

“I have gone through more experiences in my life and I can use those to give a different attack to the role,” said RS at the press conference of “M Butterfly” on Sunday, September 2 at Luxent Hotel which coincided with the launch of the photographs of the Chrysalis Photo Exhibit.

“I need to portray the role of Song Liling with a fresh start. I have to forget how I played the role many years ago. I am excited but at the same time nervous because we are targeting the millennials as our audience. Some of them have not seen the play before but some of our show buyers were people who had seen ‘M Butterfly’ and wants to see it again,” said RS.

“If you had seen it before, there are changes done in the play to make it appeal to today’s audience,” he added.

RS is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the staging of “M Butterfly” will be successful, most especially for the many beneficiaries of the show. That’s why RS thought of putting up Chrysalis, a photo exhibit where seven renowned photographers captured the images of Song Liling, with their own interpretation of the character.

The seven photographers feartured in the Chrysalis Photo Exhibit are Jun de Leon, Raymund Isaac, Manny Librodo, Mandy Navasero, BJ Pascual, Wig Tysmans andPatrick Uy.

They present their own interpretation of what makes a woman “perfect” as embodied by Song Liling.

The photographs featured in the Chrysalis series will be sold to raise funds for the chosen charity of the photographer.  Only three copies of each photo will be sold and the initial bid is P50,000.

The proceeds of the Chrysalis Photo Exhibit will be donated to charity.

Chrysalis Photo Exhibit will be displayed at the main hall of the Maybank Performing Arts Theater from September 12-30 during the duration of the play.

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We wonder how the family of President Emilio Aguinaldo will react once they see “Goyo:Ang Batang Heneral.”

The first president of the Philippine republic was depicted as the villain in the story and it was insinuated that he ordered the killing of Gen. Antonio Luna. And Goyo is his hatchet man.

Anyone who opposes Aguinaldo will bear the brunt of his ire. The only one he listens to are those people who are loyal to him. That was how Apolinario Mabini (played by Epy Quizon) described him.

Mon Confiado, who plays Aguinaldo, should be commended for giving a good portrayal.

Of course, also noteworthy is the portrayal of Goyo by Paulo Avelino. This is the best performance of Paulo in his career. He was able to exude the charm that endeared Goyo to women. He was able to provide the stance needed in the role as a young general. But he also showed vulnerability and fear.

Also providing good support to him are some of the best actors like Art Acuña, Rafa Siguion Reyna, Carlo Aquino, Ronnie Lazaro, Aaron Villaflor and Epi Quizon, just to name a few. Gwen Zamora was likewise a revelation. She was consistent from start to finish. We should commend the acting of Empress Schuck. That scene of Gwen and Empress at the market was a gem.

If we analyze closely the story of “Goyo,” it tells us that the betrayal that happened to us during the revolution that time is still happening now. So the message is, we have not learned as a people. History is just repeating itself.

“Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” is more thought-provoking and introspective compared to “Heneral Luna” and director Jerrold Tarog explained that was exactly his intention.

TBA Studios, Artikulo Uno and Globe Productions did not scrimp on the budget as “Goyo” has topnotch production values and is a great cinematic experience.