“The vagina monologues” in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - What started off as a casual conversation between two women had become a vehicle for spreading gender sensitivity and encouragement - not just for women, but also for men.

World renowned playwright Eve Esler's "The Vagina Monologues" was performed in Cebu on April 25, at the Ayala Center Cebu. Humor and laughter filled the air as the cast treated the audience to an afternoon and evening of truth and humor. The youth, especially, also gained insights into womanhood, on aspects of it that are not very openly discussed in social conversations.

The play is based on a collection of stories from women around the world. It is performed with a vastly divergent gathering of female voices, relating feminine experiences along the socially forbidden zone. The theatrical medium effectively gives life to hushed women feelings, in the hope of not only venting them but also reassuring women of the commonality of their individual experiences; and, of course, communicating these to men, too, so they may come to better understand the women in their lives.

The play also reveals various abuses on women, and attempts to empower the victims to rise above their situation. It tries to be a way for women to have a voice and be heard, to break away from their suffocating silence amid the sexist culture of women exploitation and abuses.

In the open forum after the matinee performance, play director Ms. Sarah Mae Enclona said, "Women [are willing to] talk about their vaginas, but people don't [want to start it] for it might change the mood of the conversation." The play provides an acceptable venue for such intimate topic, and for women "to voice it out."  She also emphasized that one way of preventing abuses on women is giving them a venue to be heard.

Despite the play being perceived as feminist, the sizeable number of men in the audience hints of the male openness to women issues. This is a positive change in the male attitude, which used to be rather indifferent on the subject. It suggests that men no longer feel "demeaned" by discussions of women concerns.

Jude Bacalso, the only member of the cast "without a vagina," told women to be both thankful and careful about that precious part of their bodies. He encouraged them to "stop being ashamed of talking about it" if necessary. He joked - but was serious, at the same time - that "There are many of us who desire to have one; so you should take care of the one that was given to you by God."

There are people, of course, who have reservations about the play. Of them, cast member Laurie Boquiren says, "Maybe they are having second thoughts, because they are not really that open yet [or] because we are talking about vaginas here."  She explains that the play does "not sexualize the vaginas." Rather, it is creatively used as a symbol to represent the plight of women and girls, "so there's no malice." 

As feminist-sounding as the title is, "The Vagina Monologues" is not "anti-men." It is simply a means of spreading the advocacy of promoting the rights of women everywhere - at home, at work, everywhere.  It attempts to educate everyone - girls, women, boys and men alike - to value these special beings that are most instrumental in bringing each one of them to life.  (FREEMAN)