MOTHERS’ THEATER IN PAMPANGA
    Grandmas take center stage

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    ANGELES CITY – Yes, there’s such a thing as a mothers’ theater now. Teatru Ima at Arti is how it is called.

    MaArti, it’s more popular name, took roots in Pampanga.

    Comprised of 27 women who are all past 50 years old, actually all grandmas now, MaArti is probably the first of its kind in the Philippines, says their president and natural comedienne Ma. Czarina “Rina” Alarcon.

    Their coming-out original Kapampangan musicale, Ima (Mother), on Jan. 30 at the Holy Angel University here played to a full house.

    Alarcon, Agnes “Bondee” M. Dinio, Divina “Vina” O. Tayag, Evelyn “Leny” Dela Cruz, Maria Amio “Marygold” Guintu, Corito Rose O. Tayag,  Ma. Frieda O. Hizon, Macaria Teresita “Siobe” P. Co, Germinia “Germie” C. Villanueva, Marita “Rita” G. Villanueva, Agnes “Anette’ Romero, Marsha Nepomuceno, Lina “Lyn” Francisco Velez, Bernadita “Dita” Dayrit Patawaran, Victoria “Vicky” C. Segundo, Leonor “Nor” S. Pineda, Roxanne Flor “Roxie” M. Gorospe, Josephine Gozun, Carmen “Meng” Mc Tavish, Ma. Theresa “Tess” Laus, Ma. Lourdes “Des” Deang, Doren Tayag, Marilou “Malou” Garbes, Cleofe Umlas, Caridad Tanciangco, Beth Masangcay and Let Panganiban also got a long standing ovation after singing, dancing and acting for almost two hours.

    That was well-deserved, according to Benedictine nun Josefina Nepomuceno who was in the audience.

    On top of Nepomuceno’s nod is the superb performance that made the crowd roar in laughter, cry profusely or hush it into intent listening as the women navigated gender issues on marriage, sex life, staying single, building careers, rearing children, widowhood and growing old.
    For another, she adds, the show was “spectacular” in the sense that it is “by women who are successful executives, entrepreneurs, businesswomen, professionals; by women who have made it.”


    SENIOR MOMENTS

    Backstage before show time, the women were filled with fright.

    Their director, Andy Alviz, knew this too well. He went to the podium, asking those in the audience to switch off their phones or put these on silent mode. 

    “Let’s support our senior performers who have senior moments,” Alviz said, drawing chuckles.

    That, specifically instances of forgetfulness, including insecurities and physical pains happened in the four months of rehearsals, Alviz recalls.

    What surfaced were courage and determination. “When you’re past 50, you’re not as agile and mentally sharp as when you’re young. But we did it. We went a long mile to pursue our artistic talents that many of us put on the backseat to be able to prioritize our motherhood and work then,” explains Alarcon.

    They really can follow that dream now. Resting on their established careers and empty-nesters since their children have families of their own, they have much time on their hands.
     


    GYM

    MaArti was born in a gym, recounts Alviz. This was in August 2008. By this time, the group that he has helped organizes eight years ago, the ArtiSta. Rita, has already made waves locally and in the US in their work of promoting Kapampangan culture through performances.

    “I met Rina Alarcon and Des Deang at the gym. I saw them doing dance exercise. Des said why not teach them and see what they can do. It was a challenge for me but I love challenges. As they say, it’s hard to teach old dogs new tricks so I worked around the old tricks they know. Some of them showed insecurities as most women their age go through menopause. But they discovered how each of them is unique and special. They inspire each other . It’s a support group,” Alviz relates.

    A director and choreographer for years including the Broadway hit Miss Saigon, Alviz endured the nuances of aging among the women, patiently nurturing their talents until the confidence blossomed.

    “We did not expect to be doing this. We are not artists, artistahin lang (Alarcon) told the audience after the curtain call.

    Life, she told them, “is wonderful for women in their prime.”

    “We feel good inside and look even better outside,” she cracked. “We want to shout to the world that at 50 and above, we can sing, dance and rock and roll and make Pampanga culture known to the world.”

    MaArti’s income from the show—and they’re having a re-run on Feb. 20—is being pooled for a women empowerment program for the education, livelihood and spiritual development of their poor sisters in Pampanga.

    The show is also a tribute. MaArti launched the song “Ima,” likening mothers and women as “sulu keng pusu (light of the heart).”


    MEN

    Some men in the audience are amazed at, if not proud, of, what they saw.

    “They captured the humor of their time,” said Frankie Villanueva, referring to scenes that draw cultural elements in decades after World War II.

    “I’m glad to be watching senior ladies perform,” said Nestor Castello, a balikbayan from California.

    City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez gushed: “They have the talents!”

    John Velez, 39, felt scared seeing his mother Lyn do her thing on stage.  “She was more a dancer than a singer. I was surprised. The show is wonderful.”

    Lyn’s husband, Jose Velez, 73, is happy that his other half pursued her talents.

    It should be because “the kids are now on their own. We can pursue our dreams. Wala ng sagabal.”

    Businessman Renato “Abong” Tayag cried while watching his wife Corito. “I cried because I was happy for her.”

    Top automotive dealer Levy Laus is all-out in his support for wife Tess but fears he won’t be with her too often now.

    “I’m worried they might be traveling,” he said of Ima tours here and overseas.

    Television host and women’s rights advocate Sonia Soto said MaArti is “an affirmation that women are great inspirations.”

    “MaARTi is not a bunch of girls who just want to have fun. MaARTi is a sisterhood of gutsy women who want the world to hear them roar!” said Robby Tantingco, director of the Center for Kampangan Studies of the Holy Angel University, the show’s host that night.

    Amid the raves, performer Victoria Segundo hammers just one message. “This is all about golden ladies rocking Pampanga with our performances and being productive and inspiring aging women.”

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