Review: 'Walong Libong Piso'

Dante Balboa’s Walong Libong Piso, produced by BenTria Productions, is currently being staged at Promenade’s Teatrino, and just finished its first weekend run.

Paolo Gumabao already clocked two performances, the Friday matinee and Saturday evening show. Jhon Mark Marcia performed during the Friday evening slot. Drei Arias appeared during the Saturday afternoon presentation.

This columnist viewed the Saturday performances, and here is my take on it.

Timeline

The season and references of the play were obviously the time when bold movies made a killing at the Philippine box office. Friendster was the means to meet new people. Yahoo groups were a plenty. Calling from cellphone to cellphone was relatively expensive.

And considered as the showbiz authority, a late afternoon entertainment talk show was where secrets were revealed and scandals answered point blank. The memories of this season are not too distant, relatable most especially to the Gen X demographic and, for sure, millennials with purchasing power will find the references amusing.

Narrative

Walong Libo is all about Dante and what happens to him inside his bedroom. Apart from the actor on stage dressing down to his skivvies, one hears his many conversations with other characters never shown on stage. Also, his bedroom habits are presented as part of the narrative plus some singing, updating his socials, taking a shower and even validating his ego with a sexy macho dancing segment.

The narrative that was fleshed out on stage, however, had a couple of repetitive scenes. There were instances and moments that transpired on stage that could get a more cohesive play experience.

Set, light design

The made-up bedroom onstage looked like it was plucked out of a Virgin Labfest production but with a bigger budget for set and light design. Everything in the room of the character Dante was witnes to his fragile masculinity, vanity and the projection of confidence that obviously came from being the male bold star that happened to be the toast of the season.

Also, of great assistance to the rather even narrative were the videos that showed what tickled the fancy and imagination of the protagonist.

Acting

The most praise-worthy part of the play was the acting of its leads. Kudos to Balboa for being able to bring out the best from his cast and, of course, to Drei Arias and Paulo Gumabao, for bringing the heat and vulnerability to the character of Dante.

Arias’ Dante, with his matinee idol looks, was easy on the eyes. He recited his lines fluently. He knew how to play with the words and made their subtexts float and become crystal.

He had a charming and delightful stage presence. And as an audience member, you could truly see that he studied his character and gave it the feels and truth it deserved.

The tone of his voice, the look in his eyes and the mercurial changes of the emotions — he was able to bring all these forth onstage.

His characterization of Dante was like a boy next door side-tracked by ambition and the desire to become famous — quick and furious.

Arias is definitely ready for leading man roles, and he has the range and emotions to bring soul and heart to characters.

Gumabao’s rendition of Dante was more brawny, peacocky, all bravado and the typical macho man.

He also had a confidence that made him bare his body and the vanity and how his character needed constant assurance and validation.

When Paolo looks at the imaginary mirror and marveled at how beautiful he is, you immediately sense how much invested he was to his character, and he wants the audience to like and lust for Dante and at the same time, dismiss him as just another beefcake who was obviously just striking the iron while it is hot.

Gumabao’s stage presence was towering, his swag magnetic, and yes, he made it known to the audiences that his Dante was indeed too sexy for his shirt.

Arias and Gumabao truly deserves to be part of the New Hope group of actors because they not only have the looks; they are worthy of the word “actor.”