MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) opens its 45th theater season in retrospect of a film classic that once captivated the hearts of Filipino audiences.
Originally directed by National Artist for Film and one of PETA’s founding members Lino Brocka, the film Bona is about a young schoolgirl played by Nora Aunor who became a die-hard fan of Gardo, a wannabe actor essayed by Philip Salvador.
Aunor’s portrayal of Bona won her the Best Actress Award in the 1980 Gawad Urian Awards. The film written by Cenen Ramones was also an official entry in the 1981 Cannes International Film Festival Director’s Fortnight and was cited as one of the “100 Best Films of the World” by The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.
Set in contemporary Manila, PETA’s stage adaptation of Bona revolves around Eugene Domingo as a spinster call center agent who becomes a fan of Gino Sanchez, essayed by Edgar Allan Guzman as a contestant in the talent search Star of Tomorrow. Blinded by her obsession on Gino, Bona turns her back on everything she values and gives up nearly everything she has. Caught in a quicksand of worship and pity, Bona proves how obsession may overpower love and even lead to a person’s demise.
Layeta Bucoy expressed her excitement over Domingo’s portrayal of Bona, “I believe she has the stamina, range, and imagination for a physically and emotionally taxing role.”
The award-winning TV and film actress is joined by a stellar cast of theater actors: Phil Noble, Joey Paras, Jeff Henson-Dee, She Maala, Olive Nieto, Dudz Teraña, Junevir Tabor, Juliene Mendoza, Raffy Tejada, Jason Barcial, BJ Forbes, and Anna Luna. The stage adaptation is directed by theater stalwart Soxie Topacio.
Bona will run from Aug. 24 to Sept. 23 at The PETA Theater Center. For information, contact 725-6244, 0917-5765400, petatheater@gmail.com, www.petatheater.com, www.ticketworld.com.ph.