When in Manila and in search for a great stage play to catch, you should definitely buy tickets for the 45th theater season opener of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), BONA.
BONA will hit the stage of PETA next week.
BONA is a classic film directed by, National Artist for Film and one of PETA‘s founding members, Lino Brocka; features Nora Aunor, a young school girl who became a die-hard fan of Gardo, a hopeful actor portrayed by Philip Salvador. The masterpiece written by Cenen Ramones was also an official entry for the Cannes International Film Festival in 1981.
PETA‘s BONA is directed Soxie Topacio, a committed theater director, while stage adapation was written by Layeta Bucoy with aditional scenes by Phil Noble. BONA is set in contemporary Manila. Changes were made to the classic masterpiece to make amends with the changes in the socio-political scene.
Eugene Domingo plays as Bona, a singe call-center agent who is obsessed with Gino.
The story is centered to the lead character, Bona, played by Eugene Domingo, a spinster call center agent who becomes a fan of Gino Sanchez, a wannabe actor and contestant of the talent search Star of Tomorrow, played by Edgar Allan Guzman. Blinded with her obsession with Gino, Bona is ready to give up everything that she have and forgets the value of life’s existence without Gino. Bona will be a living proof of how obsession can overpower love and being loved in return, by being caught in between worship and pity.
Edgar Allan Guzman plays as Gino, an actor wannabe.
Layeta Bucoy, the writer of this stage adaptation, expressed that there’s a big difference between the BONA that we saw in film and the one that PETA will be staging. She said, “[Today’s] BONA is more empowered; she is financially independent and even supports her family. ”
“When I accept projects for theater, I make sure that I give my 100% commitment on it,” says Domingo, a true thespian, graduated from UP’s Theater Arts Program and started her career as a theater actor for Dulaang UP. Guzman is also no rookie in terms of acting in theater, before being branded as the “new prince of indie cinema”, he was a member of the theater group Villa Teatro which performed in schools and malls.
Other stellar cast includes: Phil Noble, Joey Paras, Jeff Henson – Dee, Raffy Tejeda, She Maala, Olive Nieto, Dudz Teraña, BJ Forbes, Jason Barcial, Junevir Tabor and other theater actors.
After all, there’s a Bona inside of us that is waiting to be revealed.
That’s why, When in Manila, catch BONA as it will be staged on Fridays to Sundays starting on the 24th of August until the 23rd of September at the PETA Phinma Theater. Tickets are now available at Ticketworld. Click here for the run through of the schedules. For inquiries you may call PETA at :
Philippine Educational Theater Association
No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, QC
(02) 725 6244 / (02) 725 6911 / (02) 410 0822
0917 576 5400 / 0917 309 0707
petatheater@gmail.com
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Follow them on Twitter: @petatheater
BONA: From Cinema To Stage! Starring Eugene Domingo Brought to Us by PETA
Awesome article, superb writer and a must-watch show! 🙂
I’ve never heard of this Nikko Panti guy but he’s a brilliant writer! I demand more articles from this guy!