#anghulingelbimbo

[aiila]

[chierushi]

REVIEW: Ang Huling El Bimbo The Musical

TRIGGER WARNING. This should be watched with caution as it contains graphic violence. Spoilers also ahead, so skip if you haven't seen it yet.

It started with a cassette tape being played, which may state that the plot is a creative take solely on the song title. Most Filipinos grew up listening to Eraserheads, both young and old. We have our own stories to be reminded of whenever we hear any of their tracks. I think this notion played a major part to lure the people to see the play. It simply screams nostalgia, with a promise of another tale to take away.

Three friends from college presently pursuing successful but separate lives were brought together to be questioned by the police due to the death of a girl who’re once very close to them. The unfortunate event forces them to deal with their haunting past that they have been putting on hold for years and trying to escape from. The characters and scenes will be represented along with the songs from Eraserheads.

Emman: “Both of you tama na! Wala na kong pakialam kung ano man ‘yang bagahe niyo [o] ano man ‘yang gimik niyo. Ang klaro sakin, kailangan na natin ‘tong gawin: tayong tatlo, sama-sama, for once and for all. Isipin niyo na lang, panahon na. ‘Di ba? Kailangan na.“

Whether things in our life have closure or not, every one of it, every person we know, will affect us one way or another. From here, it was clearly presented that they were running from something, but the details of it was yet to unfold. Slowly, we were brought back to university life of these men. We are treated with short scenes that may or may not have happened to us from that era of our lives, when everything sounds hopeful. All opportunities seemed close and within reach, hence the symbolism of them raising up their hands toward heavens, toward their dreams.

Hector: “Alam mo, tsong, ngayong nandito ka na, lahat magbabago: pananaw mo, kilos mo, pati punto mo.”

Anthony: “Oo nga! Kasi alam mo, Emman, for the first time, we are finally and totally free. Ayan na oh.”

Emman: “Kahit saan ka pumunta, may koneksyon ka pa rin. Sa pamilya mo. Sa bayan mo.”

I particularly love the scene where Anthony (played by Phi Palmos) in the midst of his peers’ blossoming lovelives, remained positive and said, “Eh yung crush ko, malapit na kong...pansinin.” After that, his friends joined him in his enthusiasm.

Pare Ko depicts a man in love, in shambles, and in need of advice. It was shown as a group of (mainly) men doing military drills, an emphasis on masculinity of the song. Nothing else speaks men better than being a soldier. When Anthony sang the bridge, for a moment, we are taken to the vulnerable side of being infatuated, something we rarely see with men. We remember that being in love is a beautiful place, no matter how crazy it gets. From their civil military training, through Officer Banlaoi, the three men got to meet and befriend Joy.

One major flaw of hers was she considered every man her savior. This could be the reason why she didn’t take Banlaoi’s forwardness and acts of service as a red flag, and continued to rely on him even at her expense. “Hanap ko lang naman, ‘Tiyang, katapat at katuwang,” she told ‘Tiyang Dely. “’Yon lang naman pangarap ko sa buhay e: ang makahanap ng magiging mabait sakin,” she told Hector, “Di mo maiintindihan ‘yon kasi ang dami niyong pangarap. Ang dami niyong kayang gawin. Nakakapag-aral kayo. May kinabukasan kayo. Kaya niyong abutin ang lahat. E ako?” As we go along, she will attempt to further her dreams, but her low self-esteem stayed with her. Her friendship with the trio may have ushered her to believe more, but that’s the farthest she got. For her, she’ll never be capable of anything. She ended this dialogue with “Ayoko nang umuwi ng probinsya...habang buhay na lang ako aasa,” a foreshadow of her decision to leave ‘Tiyang Dely alone to go back home in the province.

Andre: “Joy, walang ganoon. Walang tinutulungan lang ng ganoon-ganoon. Palaging may kapalit ‘yon.”

Life is never always fancy. When they sang Wag Kang Matakot to each other, it gave us an assurance that even when matters go downhill, there’s no need to afraid. When the going gets tough, we go through it together.

Finally, we get to the graduation. Their getting in and getting out of the university is freedom. Once again, they raise up their hands, reminding themselves of the goals they are now nearer to than they were before. They invite Joy to Antipolo and see the overlooking view, to bid their farewells to her. This should’ve been a good memory. Graduation should’ve been the symbol of their independence. The horrendous events that transpired after incarcerated them forever, still able to achieve but merely surviving, never at peace.

There was a warning at the beginning of the stream but I guess I didn’t pay attention to it, or maybe it didn’t provided the right amount of caution to its viewers. The rape scene got me immobilized to my seat. It was hard for me to re-watch the whole musical to compose a more elaborate review, especially this scene. I’m actually stalling now, repeatedly bringing to mind that they are professional actors and this is fiction. It’s tempting to mute, but it’s going to be unfair to not see the entirety of it. To play Ang Huling El Bimbo here, while being the better verdict is nonetheless unsettling.

Just as perplexing is the graduation ceremony. Everyone is wearing purple instead of the usual black. The color reminded me of death. Joy bringing garlands to them further echoes this, seeing that this similarly depicts a wake. Another beautifully haunting is them singing With A Smile in various rhythms. 'TIyang Dely was sent back home to province due to bankrupt. She thought she’ll be with Joy, but got fooled by her. Joy held on more to Banlaoi as his sole rescuer after being abandoned by her friends.

‘Tiyang Dely: “Kaya nga kung kaya. Anong kapalit?”

How can they leave their friend just like that? They are traumatized, too, but they’re not the ones who got raped. They kept refusing to talk to her even after years have passed and it’s Joy who kept reaching them out. I understand if they’re blaming themselves for what happened. They wanted to ease their guilt, but to be selfish in this situation is unacceptable. It angered me when the adult Anthony said, “There are just some things you don’t want to go back to, and people you don’t need to remember,” as if that was like any other heartbreak to move on about.

Anthony: “Puta, habang buhay nating dadalhin ‘to e.”

Hector: “Kaya ni Joy ‘yan.”

Emman: “Gago, so balewala na lang?”

Hector: “Ako nang bahala. Kakausapin ko si Joy.”

Emman: “Anong magagawa ‘non?”

Hector: “Sasabihin ko sa kanya na kaya niya ‘to.”

Emman: “E gago ka pala talaga e.”

When Banlaoi pointed a gun at her, she gasped with fear, hands shaking. He then told her, “Ingat ka.” This is the only time that he poised to end her life. She was able to tolerate all the abuses and be under this appalling man as long as he keeps her and her family alive. She thought that she’s still in control, but his gesture said otherwise. This puts her into panic and called Emman, Hector, and Anthony one last time. Got caught in the midst of their personal predicaments, they all cut the phone call, saying they have problems of their own too and don’t need more from other people. While the men were struggling to maintain their posh lives, Joy was fighting for her life.

Hector: “Pag tumatawag siya, di ko alam anong isusumbat niya. I mean, you can’t forget these things.”

Contrary to their belief, the reason why she kept bugging them is because she’s trying to tell them that she’s alright. and they need to worry no more. She doesn’t want them to be victims of the past anymore.

‘Tiyang Dely: “Ni minsan, hindi niya kayo sinisi sa nangyari sa kanya.”

After the news of Joy’s death, they all gathered at the morgue. Banlaoi tried to be of help by giving them money, but ‘Tiyang Dely strongly refused, getting Ligaya at her back and out of his sight. What followed was Hector telling her, “Kami na po bahala sa lahat ng gastos,” stupidly missing the hint earlier. This made ‘Tiyang Dely cry (I mean, come on, dude still hasn’t learned his lesson) saying, “Ganoon na lang ano?”

Ligaya, after mourning for her mother’s death, stopped her tears flowing before facing Anthony, Emman, and Hector. She conversed as if she knows them too well, while they don’t know her at all. The three men promised to take care of her. They lay Joy to her final rest along with their grievances of the past. If only they faced the monster under their beds a little bit earlier, they could’ve gotten it out completely. The guilt may now be bearable, but the fact that they could’ve saved not just Ligaya but also Joy is the hard truth they will be carrying for the rest of the lives.

Awful things aside, Ligaya wearing white signifies hope. She is her mother without the burdens of her past. The ending brings back Hector’s car with their young selves reaching out to heavens, reaching out to their dreams. They are joined atop the car with Joy, who’s noticeably not raising her hands. Ligaya is now with them, dancing like her mother once was.

Other things worth mentioning:

Tindahan ni Aling Nena performance, specifically Anthony’s line “shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, noodles...yun lang.”

The not-so-subtle rally for free education in the Pare Ko performance.

Yes. Phi Palmos as Anthony. That’s it. Period.

Gab Pangilinan’s portrayal of Joy is superb! Her vocals is breathtaking. From the time she sang Ligaya, I looked forward to her every appearance. Her transformation from being bubbly to troubled soul after one scene is impressive.

Vic Robinson’s (Andrei) and Joy’s mash-up of Ligaya and Tama Na, then ‘Tiyang Dely enters, singing “Ganiyan ma-inlab”.

Wishing Wells as Emman’s love letter to his girlfriend

Menchu Yulo, who played the adult Joy, didn’t exude distress as Gab Pangilinan had done, and made Joy’s struggles less believable.

Some people have expressed disappointment due to its lack of solution on the pressing social issues. In my opinion, I think it wasn't meant to give an answer. Like any work of art, it made a statement. It just happened that what it said was disturbing. However, it is up to us, who lives in the reality of these characters, to do better accordingly.

We should all see AHEBTM in theaters since some parts aren’t focused due to camera work. I hope that once the pandemic ends, they’ll give this musical another chance on stage.

[kristinemaebsnapshots]

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Longest standing concert I’ve attended 🥹

When my fellow concert goers in the hotel said “ito na ata huling el bimbo ko, hindi na kaya ng tuhod ko kung standing concert ulit”.

I was like, same here 😅 At my age, hindi ko na din kaya. Paano pa pag naulit after so many years? 😂 Anyways, I thought I’d never get a chance to watch them perform live dahil ang bata ko pa kasi nung last concert nila buti na lang nagkaroon ng reunion concert ❤️

📍SMDC Festival Grounds

12.22.2022 | 📸 @kristinemaeb

[daydreamsandsilhouette]

magkahawak ang ating kamay at walang kamalay-malay, na tinuruan mo ang puso ko na umibig na tunay 🫶🏻

[rqlalcr16]

Last shift of the year...also, exactly a week after the Eraserheads last hometown reunion concert *wearing these shoes*... #AngHulingElBimbo Still can't get over it 😉 Initially, it was not my For-Me time but when it was announced all the plans were changed. I told myself that I won't miss the chance to be part of a history....and sing my heart out the songs of my youth... Took some few excerpts of the songs that I like most. But in general EHeads songs were along my side growing up & understanding things around me back then....and 'til now. Some are.. Ligaya gave my a hint what my Ideal Man should be...😉 Toyang made me realized that I should learn to clean our house...🤭😁 Ang Huling El Bimbo taught me of One True Love 🤭💟 With a Smile showed me who are my true friends are 💟 and Maskara taught me to choose the battle to fight on😉 ...and list goes on as a face "Life" #AngHulingElBimbo2022 #LastShift2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/CmwSvCbpPLk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[maxiswellnow]

21st Century Philippine Literature Analysis

a.) Genuinely Honest

Ang Anim na Sabado ng Beyblade was published by Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin in 2013. It contains the story of a father and his son, Rebo and how Rebo and his family fought through his illness. Anim na Sabado ng Beyblade is included as the last part of the book Anim na Sabado ng Beyblade at iba pang Sanaysay. The book is categorized as a creative nonfiction because it contains real life events which also has literary twists. The book contains the segments of Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin’s life from when he was a kid, teenager and an adult.

The events that happened in the story all happened in Jarin’s life. Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin had two children, the second one being Rebo Lean. The processes and trials that they went through in the story were all real as Ferdinand Jarin describes how full of despair it was of a journey.  Rebo, the son of Ferdinand was portrayed as a courageous and energetic little boy who has always shown strength and happiness even when he was hurting.

Anim na Sabado ng Beyblade portrays Ferdinand Jarin as the father and how seeing his son suffer through ALL(Acute Lympocytic Leukemia) broke his heart and caused him grief. Writing the book serves as a reminisce of Rebo through words and also as a tribute to Rebo.

Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin as he described himself is a a typical Filipino person who experiences typical Filipino things. The beauty in his works is that the way that he conveys his stories fill us with different perspectives and emotions that different people face. Jarin incorporates different elements into his stories like humor, grief and pure raw emotion that make it so relatable.

Knowing Jarin’s life makes us appreciate his stories and amplify our appreciations because we see him in a real and genuine way. Jarin is very courageous to share his personal life and fill it with his real and sincere reactions (like how he doesn’t hold back on his language to show how intense his emotions were.)

b.) Caged Minds 

Aviary is written by Lysley Tenorio and which tells a story about three poverty-stricken boys who went to Greenbelt Mall in order to send a message to the higher class. Aviary is categorized as Noir fiction because there is no clear distinction of right or wrong and all the characters have flaws within them. 

An aviary is described as a confinement where birds can fly freely in a large living space. In the story, Greenbelt Mall was said once to be an aviary. Through the passage there were hints such as the kids placing dead birds  in luxury bags of stores because  they want to remind the wealthy people that the birds who once lived under the aviary now have no place to go but to aimlessly fly and soon perish.

 But is this truly the only metaphor we can get? The aviary can also signify as barrier between the wealthy and the reality. A lot of children are spoiled and kept out of the real world only to later experience that real life is harder than they thought. The aviary serves as protection for the ignorance of the rich on the perspective of the society. It serves as a blindfold to those who don't realize that suffering is prevalent in other places while they relax and enjoy life.

 This story showed us that inequality is more widespread than we think. It gives us a view on the social disparity between the two sides of the picture. Notice that in the story  the saleslady getting ganged up by the kids were compared to their living status as they squeezed in a tiny space for shelter. This indicates that not all people are having a secure and comfortable life unlike the ones that are inside this “aviary”.

 Society is portrayed as an injustice for the poor who face the consequences of the powerful people such as lands being stolen, rent being increased which leads to many being homeless. Most of the time, a lot of poor people are used to gain more political power through platforms which are never usually implemented. Funds supposedly for projects are used to bribe people to get their votes. Corrupt people prevail because they use underhanded techniques to lure people astray with their hollow promises.

 Our main characters are from the unfortunate side that see and realize the contrast between the wealthy and the poor. Acknowledging this, they attempt to send a message to the advantaged side. Our characters are victims who want to show these caged birds the reality and freedom of thought that people are suffering from outside the place they call sanctuary. They partly do want revenge for the prejudices that people place on them such as when someone is poor, he/she is immediately guilty of being bad and dishonest when compared to a rich person. They want to erase assumptions on who someone is solely from their situation or their appearances. They want to attain a world where everybody treats everyone fairly while also being served justice.

 A person can never be only a hero or a villain, we make our mistakes and learn from it. We as part of the more gifted society should be open-minded and considerate to others because we aren't perfect and not all of us are given the opportunity to of a happy life. We mustn’t  judge a book by its cover.

 The author aims to tell a tale regarding an unheard story between the rich and the poor. An aviary is used to describe the situation of our society as rich people hide in it while also being unaware of the reality. The author wants us to recognize that the lower class people are innocents who have been twisted by the higher class and society in general leading them to suffer more each day.

c.)Translations of Love

                 The two given poems namely Kapag Sinabi Kong Mahal Kita by Juan Miguel Severo and Maihahambing Kita by Marra PL. Lanot were all about love and the view of each gender on it. Love may have thousands of meanings, and these poems are only a fragment of it and maybe the same for some and different for others.

The first poem, Kapag Sinabi Kong Mahal Kita described love as something to work for. It is something that has challenges that need to be completed before arriving at the goal where rest can be attained. Love is something that is worth putting effort into It’s something that isn’t just shown in words, but rather it is a manifestation of our actions and willingness for one another, this can be seen in the lines “Dahil ang aking ‘mahal kita’ Ay hindi pagtatapos sa mahal lang kita.”and “Pagpapaguran ko ito, Hihintayin kita, Susundan, Susuyuin”. Love is something we need the patience to achieve, and once the goal is reached it isn’t done. Love is continuous and full of challenges and barriers that must be overcome by each of us together. Patience as a virtue is visibly seen in these lines, “Kaya’t hayaan mong dumating ang mga bagyo, Hayaan mong malusaw ako sa araw, Hayaan mong kumbinsihin kita na kakampi rin ako.”

 The second poem, Maihahambing Kita describes love as household chores. Household chores that when finished gives us relief like the line, “at lumuluwag ang aking hininga”. “sa kumot na kinusot ikinula, isinampay” and “para ipatong sa katawan ko sa gabing maginaw” symbolizes that we need to help each other and do our part in understanding and taking care of our relationships because when the clothing was dirty it was washed by the person and when the person was cold the clothing was there to give warmth. Love can be compared to a house where we always need to maintain its condition or else it will become dirty and abandoned like how we wash our clothes every day, clean the house and prepare the food. It’s the same for relationships, if no one cares for it, if no one solves the problems that are there then the relationship becomes forgotten. The line,“ Maihahambing kita sa walis ng aking buhay na unti-unting napupudpod sa agiw, ipis, alikabok, kasama-sama sa araw at gabi” can also symbolize trust and loyalty between couples because the broom is still used even if it’s already dull.

Some simile, imagery and a bit of hyperbole are used to highlight the message of the poems.

In the first poem some examples of imagery are, “nanginginig ang aking kalamnan, nanlalambot ang aking mga tuhod, nangangawit ang aking mga braso”. These lines represent the hardships that are face such as being tired and exhausted when loving someone. A bit of hyperbole was used in the line, “Hayaan mong malusaw ako sa araw” which also represents that love needs time and patience for it to work.

In the second poem, a lot of similes were used to compare love to chores. Some examples from the poem are, “Maihahambing kita sa kumot na kinusot ikinula at isinampay” and “Maihahambing kita sa plantsang pumapasada sa damit na gusot-gusot”.

Moreover, the perspectives used by each poet exemplify the role of gender in experiencing love. The first poem portrays the usual role of the man in love. He courts the woman in hopes of her response. He may wait for days or months for the woman to respond to his calls and appeals. It was hinted at in the third stanza which says,” Nanginginig ang aking kalamnan, Nanlalambot ang aking mga tuhod, Nangangawit ang aking mga braso”. We can safely say that it’s a man because traditional Filipino courting methods involve men standing in front of a woman’s house to serenade her and convince her parents that he is worthy to take the hand of their daughter. “Nangangawit ang aking mga braso” can also pertain to the man getting tired because of holding his guitar. The second poem also shows the typical role of a woman in a relationship which is doing house chores and maintaining the house stable while the man goes to work. Although these practices aren’t all the same for relationships, it serves as signs to identify who is addressing the poem.

Each of the two poems describes experiences pertaining love using different methods. The poem Kapag Sinabi Kong Mahal Kita described how love has struggles and challenges that need to be faced in order to attain it. The poem Maihahambing Kita compared love to chores and how love needs to be nurtured and cared for in order for it to be successful.

d.) Ang Huling Essay

Ang Huling El Bimbo is a story that portrays four friends and the challenges that they faced which tested the bonds of their friendship. The use of songs by Eraserheads made me enjoy the play as I could sing along with some of the songs in my mind. I think that the story and concept of the play is good because it describes the life of a college student and how people tend to stray from their true selves once they reach adulthood.

The play was very interesting as it covered many issues prevalent in our society. Some of it being poverty, abuse, friendships, gender identity and corruption. Corruption and abuse was seen in Banlao as he manipulates Joy to do as he says or else she’ll be blackmailed by him. Poverty was seen in Joy’s family as they struggle to make ends meet resulting in doing many illegal and immoral deeds. Gender identity was seen in Anthony as he is shamed by his Father and Banlao for being queer. Friendships were tested because the true personalities of the friends are revealed when they were assaulted during their trip and Hector refused to tell authorities.

There are many unpredictable events that tend to change our lives’ directions and paths. These events are highlighted in the play and show us that little actions and tweaks make big effects on our future. An example is how the three friends reacted when they made the decision to not tell the authorities of what had transpired on the night the incident happened. These actions left Joy with no friends to accompany her through life while the other three feel guilty until they grow older.

The play tackled many issues but made it a point not to dig too deep on a certain subject, an example is how Anthony had no character development and was still a closeted gay. This reflects that in life there are things that we don’t have control of so we need to look at situations in different angles to understand why something ended up like they did.

Ang Huling El Bimbo showcases how decisions affect us and others.We can’t erase the past but we can change the future. As humans we are prone to mistakes and misjudgments that affect us by letting us realize our actions which help us learn, reflect, and move forward. We can see this in the play as the three friends realize their mistakes and that they can’t save Joy anymore so they made it a point to raise her daughter so that she won’t end up like Joy.

[robinnathanng]

[1103199xmovies]

32/100 - Ang Huling El Bimbo, The Hit Musical

Ang Huling El Bimbo is a story of friendship told through the songs of the most iconic Pinoy rock band from the 90’s. It is an original story that should resonate with people who understand how the powerful bond between friends shapes our lives. It will also be a nostalgic journey, driven by songs that have become part of the collective Pinoy psyche.

Produced by Resorts World Manila and Full House Theater Company