KAKAIBA SA lahat ang #Popepular (Pa’no Kung Pinoy si Kiko), a Filipino musical ni Vince Tañada sa lahat ng mga play na napanood naming nagawa na niya. “Because we are dealing with six true-to-life characters leading ordinary lives resulting to extraordinary effect for our lives. The real lives of Kristel Mae Padasas, Dr. Edgardo Gomez, Joey Velasco, Ronald Gadayan, Mark Lory Clemencio, and Pope Francis are interwoven in this multi-plot, multi-character masterpiece. This is inspiring as well, most especially now with our time,” Vince said.
Ayon kay Vince, ang #Popepular is the most difficult task he have done in his entire theatre career as a writer-director. He used to write real life stories such as a plays about Andres Bonifacio, Ninoy and Cory Aquino or St. Lorenzo Ruiz. “But doing six real life characters, relating and interweaving their stories with one another in one play is a herculean task not usually seen in Philippine theatre.
“However, even in the midst of difficulties, interviewing their families and extensive research about Pope Francis made me a better artist – making me more grounded, coming to terms with my objectives and ultimately accepting that my role as an artist is not only to entertain, but to inspire and possibly change lives.”
Pinaliwanag din ni Vince na ang stage musical na #Popepular is not a play about religion. It is a play about conversion and transformation. Sabi nga ng Palanca winner, “Grabe ang hawak ko ngayon na nasa balikat ko. This is a social responsibility. I mean, not only social responsibility. Ibang klase ito. ‘Yung makapanonood nito na mga kabataan, ‘yung mga hindi, Katoliko, itong play na ito ang maging medium for convertion and spiritual renewal. Grabe ang play na ito, wala akong sinabing mag-Katoliko kayo. Lahat ng nakahihikayat kapag pinilit mo, lalong ayaw. Kapag ganyan lang, tignan mo ito. My God du’n sila…”
Maging ang mga madre at pari na nanood ng musical sa Adamson University ay sobrang tuwa sa mensahe at husay ng mga stagers na nagsiganap. Marami ang nagsasabing ang #Popepular ang “Sister Act” ng Philippines. After the show, agad lumapit ang mga madre kay Vince at nag-congratulate sila sa magaling na actor/director. Para silang mga fans na nagpakuha pa ng picture kay Vince for souvenir.
“Sobrang gustung- gusto nila. Some of them hug me. Sabi ko nga, kumbaga, its their mission for people. Now, ang kaaanib nila artist, a very unusual case. Kailan ba tayo gumawa ng ganyan sa play? I mean, may entertainment factor,’di ba? “Himala” is not a religious movie. Hindi siya entertaining hindi katulad nitong #Popepular. Ito ang “Sister Act” ng Philippines,” kuwento ni Vince. ‘Yung mga pari naman sa technical rehearsal nila ay super nag-enjoy sa panonood.
As an actor/writer/director, hindi madali para kay Vince gawin ang musical play ni Pope Francis on stage in front of the audience. “I always believe for a musical to succeed, dapat hindi siya melody kasi you’re just conversing with notes. Kaya lang kasi ito, hindi, true to it’s title Popepular. Ito kasi, puwede siyang stand along songs. Kapag pinakinggan mo siya sa radio, hindi mo napanood ang play, puwede siyang tumayo. Kakaiba siya ngayon, hindi tulad ng Pilipinas…”
Habang seryoso naming pinakikinggan ang mga awitin sa nasabing Filipino musical play. May ilang awitin na puwedeng gamitin as religious song. “Puwedeng gamitin like ‘Diyos ko, Diyos ninyo…’ saka puwedeng ulit-ulitin.
Difficult scene para Vince? “Hindi ako nahirapan sa mga eksena, the costume changes, posthetics ang init. Kaya lang, ‘yung changes from old to young, palit nang palit, nakapapagod. Pero with the scenes, inspiring.”
May eksena pa nga si Vince na napaiyak ito habang nakaluhod. “Umiyak talaga ako ‘yung part na ‘yun. I was touch by the presence of the real parents… they we’re crying. I was inspired also ‘yung mga nasa harapan, nakata-touch, nandu’n sila and their we’re crying, ‘di ba?”
AYAW Paawat!
by Eddie Littlefield
