Manila, Philippines - This August, Eugene Domingo and Edgar Allan Guzman return to theater with Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) modern stage adaptation of Lino Brocka’s film masterpiece Bona.
Domingo and Guzman are no rookies when it comes to performing on a live stage. Before their high-profile show business careers, both had rich theater backgrounds.
Domingo, prior to becoming a box office queen and one of the most sought-after actresses in the Philippine movie and television industry, started her acting career with the University of the Philippines’ Theater Arts program apprenticing as an actress, production and stage management staff under the university’s resident theater company, Dulaang UP.
Guzman is also no theater newbie. Before he became “The New Prince of Indie Cinema,” the young actor started as member of the theater group Villa Teatro, which performed in schools and malls.
For her theater comeback, Domingo plays the role of Bona, a spinster call center agent who becomes a fan of Gino Sanchez (played by Guzman), a contestant in the talent search “Star of Tomorrow.” Blinded by her obsession for Gino, Bona turns her back on everything she values and gives up nearly everything she has. The modern adaptation shows how obsession may overpower love and even lead to a person’s demise.
The role Bona was originally performed onscreen by Nora Aunor, with Philip Salvador as Gardo. Incidentally, both have starred in PETA’s theater productions: Aunor in Rody Vera’s Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo (1991) and Ricky Lee’s DH: Domestic Helper (1993); Salvador in Nick Joaquin’s Larawan, Tony Perez’s Cat in a Hot Tin Roof (1980), Orlando Nadres’ Flores Para Los Muertos: A Streetcar Named Desire (1980), among others.
In line with its 45th season theme of understanding and interrogating film through live theater performances, PETA’s Bona gives a rare insight into the world of film, especially the devotion of diehard fanatics.
Bona is directed by Soxie Topacio and adapted by Layeta Bucoy. The cast includes Phil Noble, Joey Paras, Jef Henson-Dee, Raffy Tejada, Juliene Mendoza, She Maala, Olive Nieto, Dudz Teraña, Jason Barcial, Junevir Tabor, Juliene Mendoza, Gabs Santos and Anna Luna.
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Bona will run on Fridays to Sundays, from Aug. 24 to Sept. 23. Tickets are now on sale through www.ticketworld.com or www.petatheater.com. For more information, contact 725-6244, (0917) 576-5400, (0916) 309-0707, or e-mail petatheater@gmail.com.