If your 'V' could talk, what would it say?

When Monique Wilson, thespian, activist and acting professor, sent me an FB message about appearing on stage for V-Day 2012 through her New Voice Company with several other amazing women from various fields of expertise, I readily agreed. Last March 31, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum, I among many others took to the stage and all proudly hailed our womanhood in solidarity to benefit Lila Pilipina, a Philippine Comfort women group. This was my fourth V-Day experience and admittedly equally as powerful as the first three that I performed in Los Angeles because the individual performances were all so heartfelt and personal.

For those of you who have not had a chance to experience V-Day, it is a day that has become a global movement where women command the stage and read a collection of monologues that author Eve Ensler has compiled by interviewing several other women about their vagina in hopes to end violence against women and girls of all ages. All the monologues tackle different issues about a woman’s experience regarding their vagina.

Leah Navarro opened the show by doing her rendition of the “Hair” monologue where she starts off by saying how you cannot love a vagina unless you love hair. Her performance was honest and candid and set the tone for the entire evening. “The Flood” was performed spot on by Joy Virata. Mae Paner a.k.a. Juana Change (Soulahhh on YouTube) truly brought the house down with her Tagalog rendition of the “Vagina Workshop.” Sheila Francisco performed with gusto “Because he liked to look at it” — her monologue was one of a few describing a good experience with a man who reveled in looking at her vagina. Funnily enough, Kuh Ledesma sang “The Rose” and couldn’t for the life of her even get herself to say the V word — while all of us without shame or abandon were proud Vagina Warriors for the evening. Big props to Juno Henares for performing her surprise triple orgasmic moaning with fervor and dedication that truly climaxed the show. Esteemed journalist Ces Drilon and entertainment writer Dolly Anne Carvajal read factual accounts and scientific data on the vagina and about its historic maltreatment. The audience delight of the evening, without a doubt, was Aiza Seguerra’s performance of “Ang Munting Kalachuchi.” The monologue recalls how a woman who had been sexually and physically abused as a girl discovers her self-worth because of a first-time lesbian experience. Aiza portrayed the monologue effortlessly with just the right dab of humor and emotion and had the whole room in fits of laughter and tears at the same time. She is so talented not only as a singer/musician but also as an actress who emits depth and courage to go to the places she has never actually experienced herself, which of course are the true attributes that make for a dynamic performance. The rest of the cast together with Tami Monsod, etc. brought all their time, talents and convictions for a truly meaningful evening.

I asked my fellow Vagina Warriors some questions backstage that I’d like to share with all of you.

If your vagina could talk what would it say? What would it wear?

Bibeth Orteza (writer): I’m helping other vaginas tonight! It would wear nothing!

Monique: Pass the RH Bill! It would wear comfortable clothing so I could continue to do this work.

Leah: Hmmmyam, Hmmmyam, Hmmmyam. I’m really yummy, honey! It would wear five-inch red Christian Louboutin patent stilettos!

Juana Change: Napakasarap ng sex kaya dapat i-approve na ang RH bill! It’s about time na ipasa yan at isinisigaw na yan ng aking (bleep!)! It would wear nothing. It wants to be free and breathe!

Edna Aquino (activist): No regrets! Red thong!

Emmie de Jesus (activist/Gabriella): ‘wag matakot! Maki-(bleep!)! Black hi-cut panty!

Aiza: It’s so hot in here! Gusto nya suotin yung girl na girl kaya siguro pink na tutu!          

Ampy Sietereales (theater actress): Hi! Something comfortable!

Ces Nuñez (artist): I’m super happy! It would go Commando!”

Lisa Maza (activist/chairperson of Gabriela): Women struggle so let’s empower ourselves! It would wear the banner of Gabriela!

Dr. Marilyn Ruaro (obstetrician/gynecologist): I’m here take note and don’t forget! It would wear the usual shocking pink!

Dolly Anne Carvajal (columnist/showbiz host): It would say, I like where I am right now. I’ve cum a long hard way before I got here. It would wear a red hot chill outfit that says I wanna be babied and I’m also ready to get wild!

Ces (journalist): I love it! Hmmm, I really sympathize with the students of STC that were not allowed to march so I’d wear a bikini even if I’m close to 50!” (She looks anything like her age by the way!)

And lastly, here is an excerpt from my Angry Vagina monologue from Eve’s masterpiece, Vagina Monologues:

“If my vagina could talk, it would talk about itself like me. It would do vagina impressions, it would talk about other vaginas… What would it wear? Harry Winston Diamonds. Nothing else. Just there, draped in diamonds!”

Join the V-Day movement on 2/14/13. Join One Billion Rising! Check out the website for more information at or BillionRising.org.