Hanggang dito na lang po at Maraming Salamat - Orlando Nadres

"Love knows no boundary." This is an aphorism which I'm uncertain whether it came from one of the many literary masterpieces I have read or just a product of my creative thought since it sprang into my mind unconsciously while musing over something else.

The short play entitled "Hanggang dito nalang po at Maraming Salamat" penned by the late Orlando Nadres, a proud Tayabasin (from Tayabas City, Quezon, Phillippines) reminded me again of the same adage since it tackles about an extraordinary feeling of love that is far from the normally accepted kind. That is, love for the same sex.

The short play is an answer of Nadres to the increasing call for gay liberation in the Philippines during the 70's and 80's. It was written in 1975 and was first shown by the Philippine Education Theatrical Association (PETA) in Manila. From then on, it was re-staged at different places around the country and even around the world. It was shown also in Broadway, New York, the place believed to be the cradle of gay liberation as well as in different countries in Europe making it a classic in the process.

It is a story of a middle-aged man named Fidel who fell in love with a young man by the name of Efren. Fidel is a "closet gay" but he has a friend named Julius Caesar Aquino (who wants to be called "Julie") who can be easily distinguished as a homosexual based from his actions and manner of dressing.

The story began with Fidel, coming back home from a day's work. Fidel is a jewelry/ money lender who works in a pawnshop in their place. Upon his arrival, he received a letter from Efren, a teen-aged boy who is in his fourth year college studying in Manila. Fidel is the one who provides Efren with money to spend for his school fees as well as his other needs in the city since Efren's mother is just a vendor in the market whose earnings are not enough to send him to college.

Efren reveals in his letter that he will come visit Fidel the next day, whom he learned to call "tito" (uncle) through the years as a sign of respect, to give him his good news personally. The boy's letters markedly end with the sentence: "Hanggang dito na lang po at Maraming Salamat" (This ends here and Thank You Very Much.)

Fidel made himself ready by asking his friend Julius Caesar to give him a manicure and from then on, Julie knew that his friend's "boy" will be arriving after a struggle with Fidel to read the letter which Efren had sent. From the expression of Fidel on Julie's questions, he already knew that his friend loves the boy.

The love which Fidel feels towards the young man has been revealed to the audience because of the continuous provocations of Julie as well as his urging that it's just the right time that Fidel should come out of the "closet" and reveal his true identity. Fidel, however, is perplexed whether he should listen to Julie's prattles, but Fidel is still firm not to expose himself.

Efren arrived the next day in the evening and visited his Tito Fidel first to promise that he'll be spending time with him the next day. Efren came the next day and few minutes later, Julie arrived too. Julie tried to seduce Efren but the latter snobbed the former no matter what he does.

Julie inquired why he acts like that. Efren firmly answered that people like Julie should better find a wife to love, not to flirt with a man like him. He further stated that the kind of Julie deserves no respect for they are beasts who are immorally filthy.

Fidel suddenly arrives on the scene and forced Julie to leave. Fidel asked why Efren is so angry with Julie and Efren retold his traumatizing experience in his boarding house in Manila. He storied that one night, he agreed on a drinking session with the son (a gay) of his land lord. He was totally drunk that he lost consciousness and control over his body. But he was molested and his landlord's son took advantage of his weakness that night which caused him to hate homosexuals so much. Fidel was bothered that somebody else had already explored Efren's body that seemed to tell the audience that he felt disappointed not to be the first one. (I believe he feels like he possesses Efren already that nobody but him could touch the boy)

Afterwards, adding up to the burden brewing inside Fidel's thought, Efren revealed that he will marry the beautiful and kind girl who helped him to be hired in a factory. Fidel was crestfallen over the news.

Sensing that Fidel's actions became different, Efren stood up but Fidel faced him, held his hand and caressed his body. Efren felt awkward but then, Fidel all of a sudden tried to kiss him.

Efren staggered and eventually run away from the place. After that, Julie arrived in a beautiful gown holding a trophy on one hand, proud that he had won "Ms. Swards 1970" which he earlier offered to Fidel to compete to finally unveil his true identity.

Fidel told Julie about what happened. Julie soliloquized and spilled out the sufferings, discrimination and ill-treatment experienced by the third sex that happens to be the reality in any relationship they commit into.

Efren returned the other day to bid good bye to Fidel. He'll be catching the first train to return to Manila. Fidel disclosed his love to Efren and he resented why he became like that, a gay. He, as he storied, even sought after the advice of a doctor, a priest or any other who can help "cure" his "disease." But he can't be cured. Efren apologized but Fidel said that he need not to apologize.

Fidel reminisced the first time he saw Efren as a young boy whose family was as poor as a rat. He helped Efren from that time on. From what seemed to be a feeling of pity over the unfortunate boy, Fidel's began to love him when one day Efren stood proud that he was already wearing pants during his high school days. He mentioned that Efren had almost grown up on his side, that when he left to study in Manila, he constantly looked forward to vacations and holidays because those are the only times when he could see Efren.

But in the end, Efren eventually left leaving Fidel tormented.

From this story, it became truly perplexing how much the power of love could make a man shut down his senses of the reality. Fidel, being an educated man should have known that he would just end up as a loser in the game, thus should have accepted it in the first place. But, like many others, he's a character who expresses his desire for another person through money and material things without any assurance about whether the one receiving the benefit would feel the same thing as he feels. This is true among gays in the country because for them, there is no other way to secure a man they fancy of than money.

What they don't understand is that love asks for no prize or exchange, nor does it seek approval or acceptance. It's a natural exchange happening among two individuals that is characterized by being balanced and just. And "two individuals" in this context does not only pertain to a common man and woman. Let's move away from the traditional idea and accept the fact that there are people who possess different qualities compared to common ones.

Since love comes natural among us, the way people see you physically should not serve as a hindrance to exchange pies with the one you truly feel admiration to. Otherwise, come the time you're old and you'll regret you did not live a fruitful and joyful life.

The actors truly gave their best, having been portrayed the characters entrusted to them as real and as subtle as possible. Although only three characters worked out the story on stage, anyone who have seen it would agree that they had impressively showcased the message within the story itself.

True, the play is brilliantly written and directed but on any angle I would look at, it's still a story which is very common, to the point that every scene is predictable and could rouse controversies similar to those of the present day. To tell you honestly, the story has nothing special as it is how things go in regular stories in similar nature. However, I am not taking away the possibility that if we judge it according to the time it was written, it 's beyond doubt that it is genuinely an outstanding work of art since during those times, the third sex is a taboo in the society.

But still, my instinct tells me that if I give 4 stars for this, I wouldn't have that taste for art. That's why, it's two thumbs up a perfect 5 star for Nadres' play.

Note: I will soon add the names of the director and complete cast in this article. I failed to remember all of their names at once. I will also provide a clearer photo soon. My apologies.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The play which is reviewed here is on its final two nights. Catch them at these times:

MAY 10 (Saturday) @ 6:30 PM in Kamay Ni Jesus Healing Center, Lucban, Quezon

MAY 11 (Sunday) @ 6:30 PM in Kamay ni Jesus Healing Center, Lucban, Quezon

ENTRANCE IS ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!

But you may want to donate for the improvement of the healing center.

REMINDER:

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