Infinite Monkeys, Boy So of La Carmela de Boracay, and Rampa bring an RS Francisco and Boy Abunda production of “Ateng”, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award-winning one-act play by Vincent A. de Jesus, to the stage.
The synopsis traces the story of Juicy, a struggling impersonator unable to pay his Meralco electricity bill after spending all his money on his opportunist and manipulative boyfriend, Onyx, a handsome but idle street dweller. Juicy’s older sister, Kiwi, a parlorist, intervenes, attempting to collect the debts owed by Onyx to her youngest sibling before the family faces disconnection.
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The narrative unfolds as tensions escalate among the three, revealing not only personal conflicts but also broader questions of dignity, identity, and familial obligation. In a surprising turn, Kiwi discovers that the bleach, hair steamer, and blowdryer—tools of her beauty parlor trade—can be repurposed in a ‘showdown’ to assert their honor and reclaim their dignity as gay men.
Originally staged in the first-ever Virgin Labfest in 2005, the new cast of Ateng features Kokoy De Santos and Dyas Adarlo as Onyx, Jason Barcial and Io Balanon as Juicy, and Thou Reyes and Vincent de Jesus as Kiwi.
Thou Reyes, who has played many powerful gay characters, says, “Despite my 8-year break from such roles, I immediately said yes to ‘Ateng.’ I like to represent this kind of character na hindi binabatok-batukan, hindi kinakawawa.” He adds, reflecting on the growing LGBTQIA+ materials in mass media: “I think kulang pa nga e, dapat gumawa pa ng maraming material na maayos para malinawan sila kahit unti-unti. It (Ateng) would be nice for the younger generations, to make them understand how it was; to make them realize why the LGBT community is really fighting for equality. This is just one of the reasons why the younger LGBT enjoy their freedom now and the freedom to express who they are.”
Kokoy De Santos shares that he is learning a lot from his theater debut—not just in the discipline but especially in the show’s message of respect and acceptance—that the “Bakla ka lang!” line is never right. He adds about his character, “Siguro hindi mo rin masabi na malaki ang pagmamahal niya kay Juicy, kasi nga, para abusuhin mo at gamitin mo ang isang tao, hindi mo kayang gawin yon kung mahal mo siya, diba?”
The play is directed by Rem Zamora, with Ben Padero (Set), Carlo Tabije (Costumes), D Cortezano (Lighting/Technical), and Teresa Barrozo (Sound) completing the production team.
Performances run November 14 through December 7, Fridays through Sundays at 7 PM, at Rampa Club, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Tickets are available online via Ticket2Me or in-person at Rampa Walk-In.
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