MANILA, Philippines - The Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc. (BKFI) stages Tatlong Maria on March 13 and 14, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Tanghalang Huseng Batute. The production, one of the activities celebrating CCP’s 40th anniversary, is presented by the CCP, Provincial Government of Bulacan and Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc.
Directed by Armand P. Sta Ana, Tatlong Maria features three women, Sebya, Saling and Sepa, who represent three different generations of the Filipina. The three little old ladies, in almost identical baro’t saya, titter and chatter about a useless attempt to hang up Christmas lanterns in anticipation of their visitors. The three women act and interact with characters unseen on the stage, and each adapts and assumes clear personalities — complete with mannerisms and accents peculiar to places where each comes from.
Tatlong Maria is composed of three separate and distinct monologues based on original masterpieces. Based on Hernando Ocampo’s “Bakya,” Sebya’s story is about her intimate memories of her husband Tonio in Negros, and her grief over his sudden death in a factory confrontation. Saling, which tells of the oppression suffered under feudal lords during Spanish regime, is taken from Rogelio Sicat’s (originally Senen de Leon) “Tata Selo.” Sepa’s story, which is based on Nena G. Fernandez’ “Mariang Tabak,” is about a Pampangueña matron whose activist-son was killed in a rally, leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend.
Tickets are at P500 each. For information, call 833-0267, SMS 0927-3889216, or e-mail barasoainkalinangan@yahoo.com.