Eve Ensler’s  “The Vagina Monologues and Usaping Puki”

Reviewed by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com

I cried, finding out about female genital mutilation is still done as a tradition in Africa, I cried getting reminded that women were rounded up in the Philippines and used as “Comfort Women” by the Japanese Military during  WW II. I cried as I heard the monologues concerning violence against women. All serious issues concerning the use of the Vagina…

I am so glad to have been invited to watch the recent Filipino Performance of the Vagina Monolgues presented by the Filipino Women’s Network www.ffwn.org  led by President Marily Mondejar and Directors Bettina Santos Yap and Elena Buensalido Mangahas all based in San Francisco. The Benefit Performance was done at the very new,  Jack H Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU last June 24, 2006 in New York City. They brought the play here in conjunction with V-Day’s Festival – Until the Violence Stops: NYC Campaign. The beneficiaries were: Filipino American Human Services, Inc (FAHSI) www.fahsi.org and CONNECT www.connectnyc.org The play originated by Eve Ensler is called The Vagina Monolgues and “ Usaping Puki. ”

As a male entering the play, open minded as I am,  I still got uncomfortable at the beginning as topic after topic was discussed solely about the “Puki” (Vagina).  But as the performances progressed I began to feel for the performances. I began to listen … they were real life experiences of women in varying stages in their lives as interviewed by Writer Eve Ensler. I began to hear…. the topics varied from self examination to shaving of their private parts, from owning their sexualty to reaching true orgasm. It got a lot of laughs and applause. These are topics we don’t openly discuss. They sounded shocking to me but they are oh so real.

The mood got  sentimental when they discussed past sad and happy memories of their first menstrual period. I really got touched  by the discussion of Female Genital Mutilation still a norm in a lot of tribes in present day Africa and about how the Filipina “Comfort Women” who are in their 80’s and 90’s now are still fighting for justice.

The performances from the cast who were a mix of NYC and San Francisco artists were superb. I would just like to mention some of the performances that stuck in mind even days after the play:  Christine – Marie Jeanjaquet was brave in doing her self examination scene, her subtle rendition made the message clearer.  Sorcy Apostol with her funny relationship dilemma  about shaving her private parts, Sorcy’s frankness makes her monologue funnier and she knew how to play the audience.  Abbiegaile Pinon stood out in “Puking Galit,” Abby even at this young age, can show strength and power in her delivery, with her angst filled lines she showed she could be angry and yet still remain poised with style. Remy Aquino, with her “because he wants to look at it” monologue was very sensual, she is confidence personified. Remy is a woman who is comfortable with being a "sexual being." Who would forget the ending scene where the pros came out with their story about home birthing… Sorcy Apostol, Bettina Santos Yap, Arriane Recto and Elena Mangahas had me in silence but attentive mode as they vividly describe the miraculous experience it was seeing the Vagina give birth to another life. They described it as a flower blossoming. The quartet were in their poetic perfection sentimental but powerful.

I heard the women talk. They were powerful, thanks to the direction of Elena Mangahas and Bettina Satos Yap and special thanks to the work of Eve Ensler in breaking the silence about the cycle of violence against women and girls through these monologues. 

It was freeing, educational and eye opening. “The Vagina Monologues and Usaping Puki” has taught me that there are more issues in life to talk about especially respecting the opposite sex. Men in the audience were asked to pledge not to hurt women….ever! Women are to be revered and respected as Margarita Mutuc, an actress in the play said, “ Every woman is born a mother. Would you hit your mother?”

website: www.ffwn.org 

After Party Photo Coverage by: Jude Tan of Fanclubx.com  http://jtphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/1605759