From Yehey! Entertainment
Are you too young to have watched the late Lino Brocka's very memorable film Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag? It was shown in the seventies and it seems With Brocka gone, all the more likely it can never be shown on TV. As far as we know, he owns the film as he was one of its producers. His death was so sudden that he must have left no formal statement as to who should inherit his properties. The movie was actually based on a novel written in Filipino by Palanca awardee Edgardo M. Reyes. It was serialized in Liwayway magazine and eventually published into a book which is likely out of print now. However, some Philippine literature classes do take up excerpts from the novel. But then if youve never had the chance to read the book or see the film version, you can make do with the stage version. A group of veteran theater practitioners is staging the play on October 2, 3, and 5 at the Philippine Columbian at Plaza Dilao in Paco, Manila.
The play was written by Rene Villanueva. The lead character, Julio Madiaga, will be played by Brocka protegee Alan Paule, whom Brocka launched in the film Macho Dancer. Alan has since appeared not only in the movies and on TV but in many theater productions, including theater versions of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Upon Brocka's death, his career got to be charted by Ed Instrella, a close friend of the late director.
Movie thespians Klaudia Koronel, Ana Capri and Simoun Ibarra are also in the cast. PETA stalwart Jhoven Velasco directs.
The title, by the way, has been slightly altered. The play is called Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag. The story is that of a young man's travails in the city while searching for his girlfriend who was taken by a recruiter from their province with a promise of a decent job.
For tickets, you may call Highlights Studio at 783-7699.
