Behind The Vagina Monologues 2011

CEBU, Philippines - You rarely experience such a diverse audience in this city, let alone a severely attentive one. I was among the many who were captivated by women (and men) talking about vaginas at the Onstage! of Ayala Center Cebu Cinema last February.

In line with its commitment to continue supporting the fight against violence, this year's show was the fifth Crystal Cavalier Productions' rendition of The Vagina Monologues with USPF's Advocacy and Education Program for Women and Children as this year's beneficiary.

Since 1998, the repeat productions of The Vagina Monologues have raised over $75 million for groups that advocate anti-violence against women through Eve Ensler's global non-profit campaign for the cause.

I always try to catch a performance every year for two reasons: One, so that I can participate in this global cause to empower women, and second, because of Ray Ordoño, the director of The Vagina Monologues and founder of Crystal Cavalier Productions.

The FREEMAN: Is there a big difference with the audience turnout this year?

Ray Ordoño: Both gala performances for 2010 and 2011 were sold out with the same number of seats, and in theatre, it's seating capacity only. I think when it comes to audience enthusiasm, 2011 had a better turnout. Last year, about 80 percent of the seats were sold out two days before the show, whereas this year, the same percentage was sold out almost three weeks before the show.

The FREEMAN: What makes your VDAY Campaign and TVM different from the international campaigns?

Ray Ordoño: We work for the same goal and the same cause, and that is to help stop violence against women. Most international campaigns work with fixing the aftermath of violence such as providing legal assistance, whereas our campaign works for the prevention of violence. That is why we have teamed up with the University of Southern Philippines Foundation's Education and Advocacy Program for Women and Children hoping we could help prevent these types of violence against women. International campaigns do it in one native language. In VDAY Cebu, you get some variety. The audience even got to yell the word "vagina" in Cebuano, Tagalog, and a slang variation in English.

The FREEMAN: Can you describe your direction style for TVM?

Ray Ordoño: I am more of a mediator and a facilitator when I direct The Vagina Monologues - or any other play. Theatre professionals would call me a "negotiator," which is the technical term. There would be a lot of improvisation during rehearsals. I also like to use the ideas of the actors, the stage manager, even the make-up artist, and the production team.   I put all of those ideas in a blender, mix it up with a bit of democracy, press pause, pour the contents in chilled tall glass, then top it off with some whipped cream and a cherry - and viola! It's ready for the stage.

The FREEMAN: Which VM actor(s) do you admire among the campaigns here in the PH?

Ray Ordoño: Outside of VDAY Cebu, that would be Lara Fabregas. She did The Vagina Monologues with Monique Wilson's New Voice Company, who does VDAY Manila. She did a third of the show because there were only three actors. Every time she does another monologue, you hear and see a different character - and that's without make-up or costume change. In VDAY Cebu, there are two actors: Rhea Marie "Yang" Fantonial-Bautista and Cheri Lou "Che-Che" Mendoza-Solon. They research their roles and they impart what they learned into their acting so they can develop more convincing attributes to the character(s) that they are portraying.

The FREEMAN: Who inspired you to become this creative genius that you are now?

Ray Ordoño: Brett Aleonar, one of Cebu's top theatre directors. He taught me to take a strong stand in my beliefs, be it personal, social, artistic, or political, and find a way to express it. He also taught me how to break the rules, to do it my way, to make my own theatre. Of course, I will never forget the Crystal Cavalier Productions Team: Leonard Bitsuza, Dominic Sy, Marvin Maning, Jett Pe, Brylle Quirante, Kim and April Abellanosa, Arnel Villamor, and, of course, Ace Abellanosa.

There were men in the house and about 10 times more women inside the Onstage! Cinema. The timing was superb and we even caught a few blushes from the audience here and there. The actresses' precise facial expressions were a joy to behold, too.

The performances could not be faulted and it could have gone horribly wrong with the indecent humor and the horror stories but all of them got it under control. With the huge applause post-act and the jubilant standing ovation the entire cast and crew received, there is definitely something to look forward to again next year.

"I have been directing this play for five years," said Ray. "This year, we got the best feedback from the critics and the audience; and I'd like to say thank you to all of them. To all the local and international sponsors as well. They have been wonderful."