Four Monologues for a Night: BRAVE (Bolder Reaction Against Violence to Empower)

Writer: Mark Anthony Cabrera
Last Monday, April 17,2017, me and couple of my friends were able to witness an awesome performance from volunteers of courageous women and members of the LGBT at Alek Café in Makati. The first monologue entitled Suffragette (by Jose Victor Torres) features a woman and her husband having a conversation about a woman’s right to vote as it was set in such a time that women were not yet allowed to put people into position. A woman enters frame with some baking utensils preparing an apple pie for her husband who was tired from work. I find it simply perfect as the woman (being a wife ) was able to juggle baking and having a conversation with her better half. Her last line was memorable, “Women should be allowed to vote, it doesn’t mean we can’t be wise voters and wives at the same time. The second one entitled Kiriring ( a portion of Kiriring, Aida, at Macaraig) features Kathy Arguelles, a Pinay who dreamt of greener pastures, got married to an American Husband who she did know was a sex addict who only married her to take her to America and have her work as a prostitute. Many people thought she hit the jackpot marrying an American but people didn’t realize what she has been through in the hands of her American husband. With the help of the Philippine Embassy, she was able to come back to Manila albeit not rich, she was lucky enough that she was still alive. She tried reconnecting to old friends but no one seemed to care for her anymore. Drunken nights followed until she confided to her best friend that she has AIDS.

The third performance was entitled This is My Life .It was a riveting tale of a tranny who is at the wee hours of her days as a performer. It was a really sad portrayal as it echoes the way other people treat the LGBTQIA community. It mellows on the song by Shirley Bassey with the same title of the monologue. The last one by actress Mosang in Petunia was my favorite of all.It talks about fun and that though there comes a time when we reach that age when we would just watch movies and enjoy coffee, it’s best to still enjoy life to the fullest. That our love for dancing and anything mundane must still be there.Mosang’s comedic timing never lost its spark. The adlibs were spot on and it was perfectly enjoyable.

BRAVE NIGHTS are held on announced Schedules at Alek Café. Alek Café is located at Builders Center Ground floor 170 Legazpi St. Makati City.It’s just a few blocks away from Makati Medical Center.Ticket is Php500.00 inclusive of snacks. Part of the proceeds will be donated for causes that involved battered women and the LGBT Community.