The Kundiman Party reflections

The Kundiman Party

Rarely does a theatrical production render me speechless right after the curtain call. That is what The Kundiman Party did, leaving me a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that may have made me appear a bit spaced out after the preview night performance at the PETA Theater Center. 

I've already gathered my thoughts since then and I would like to enumerate some of my takeaways as the production heads over to its second and final weekend.

What struck me the most about The Kundiman Party, masterfully written by Floy Quintos, was how it shed light on art being politicized and turned into a weapon. In the play, Maestra Adela, brilliantly portrayed by Shamaine Centenera-Buncamino, starts by making her student Antoinette (Miah Canton) relate to the kundiman through the context of a romantic relationship. But later on after relenting to pressure, Adela uses the kundiman to highlight pressing social and political issues. On the other side of the coin, Senator Juancho Villarama (Nonie Buencamino), opens up the idea of having the study of the kundiman part of the school curriculum which in turn could be used as propaganda and condition/suppress the minds of the people. For people to dismiss art as just some works with no value or consequence, The Kundiman Party shows how vital and essential art can be in shaping a society.

Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino and the cast of The Kundiman Party

Another thing that got through me in this play is the theme of making choices. These choices change the course of one's life but unfortunately, most choices entail making a sacrifice. Everyone in the play made choices like Adela who chose to leave the opera stage behind for a greater cause but at a great cost. Her circle of friends also made choices, Mitch (Missy Maramara/Jenny Jamora) chose to leave a cheating husband, Helen (Stella Cañete-Mendoza) chose to remain a grieving widow, and Mayen (Frances Makil-Ignacio) chose to still join rallies even if nothing seems to have changed. Idealistic Bobby (Boo Gabunada) chose to rebel against his father. Even Antoinette chose to sing, specifically the kundiman. In the end, they all had to make THE choice upon finding themselves with their backs on the wall.

These two themes did linger and would definitely stay with me for far longer as I soldier on in the arts and culture scene.

Let me commend pianist Gabriel Paguirigan as Ludwig whose brief lines always elicited laughter and also Rica Nepomuceno as Melissa whose couple of song numbers were among the most memorable in the play for hilarious reasons.

Boo Gabunada, Frances Makil-Ignacio, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera,
Rica Nepomuceno, and Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino

I finally understood the disbelief that friends and acquaintances from both the music and theater circles had whenever they find out that I failed to see the play when it was initially staged last year over at UP Diliman. This is a play that is a must see for everyone in the arts, culture, creative field out there. Do not let me be the one in disbelief upon learning that a creative was unable to see this masterpiece.

The Kundiman Party's remaining performances happen from May 30, 2019 up to June 2, 2019 at the PETA Theater Center.