WHEN I FIRST wrote about the kid
dults of Punla Community on April 12 last year, it was about the community in general and the core members and community assistants collaborating in a performance entitled “Jungle Rhythm,” a fitting cap on their recognition day. Last weekend, I was pleasantly surprised to receive from Ate Betty a text message reminding me of that event. Coupled with an invitation from Ate Rica for me to witness once again another related present ation. The date was set, therefore, for us to sit in the audience on April 6.
Ate Rica has not lost her emceeing touch and panache. The program was supposed to start at 10 am so she was understandably onstage to reassure us that the program will not begin on time on account of other guests who have not yet arrived but are on their way and – promise – even if they started late, the program will end according to schedule. (She knew how to manage time and manage it she did.) Moreover, the guests were patrons of the community and it would be a shame for them to miss a concerted labor of love (as all their endeavors are), they who didn’t have time on a Sunday which was why the organizers set it on a weekday. And, please, she intoned, while cooling their heels, the spectators might want to look at the mini exhibit by the entrance where the handiworks crafted by the kiddults for the past year were on display.
Evidently, Ate Rica is not only an events organizer (last year’s performance still rings a happy bell in my memory), she is also a dynamo who produced and directed the show and doubled as props-and-sound man. As an emcee, she is articulate, humorous and has an infectious wit. Consider pinagsama-samang pinagsamahan, for one, with which she described th eir collective magnum opus. Her insights also take you back to the history of the community and all the people and patrons that surround it. That make you wax nostalgic and not mind the heat of the peaking noonday sun.
Soon, some of the guests have taken their seats with a few expected to arrive any time soon. Cue for Ate Rica to call in the cast to lead the opening prayer, a song-cum-action rendition of the ever-reliable “Beautiful.” Afterwards, she announced the spearhead of that day’s show, the Superman Suite. She explained that, long before Batman v. Superman raked it in at the box office, they have been practicing rigorously. Especially, she hastened to add, with the costume changes. For the kiddults had to be trained how it is done efficiently. The absence of Batman in the ensemble clearly declared the certitude of her statement. Superman was core member Nikko, coming out as naive-looking Clark Kent and then, activated by alarm calls, disappearing and switching to an S-emblazoned shirt and, in various blockings, figuring in scenes of arresting a school bus that lost its brakes, helping a woman being held-up and other damsels in distress, saving Lois Lane from falling from a steep precipice and other daredevil stunts showcasing the superhero’s powers. At the end, the audience is treated to a now-indispensable group hug between and among the cast.
As she announced earlier, the costume changes entail a modicum of difficulty and, having seen to that, she prepared intermission numbers to keep the audience’s attention and the show’s momentum. As Maya Basto (a Casa Bayanihan volunteer) waited for the minus one to come forth, Murphy’s law would not let it and so Ate Rica pulled out her backup actual recorded original of Maureen MacGovern’s “Can You Read My Mind” and would Maya so much mind being accompanied by her. Imagine, she told the audience, Eat Bulaga’s “Just Duet.” The amateur volunteer proved equal to the task. Maureen’s canned part was mercifully muffled so that Maya’s brave, live rendition rose above it.
While costume change was going on, Ate Rica announced another intermission number to be performed by Rey-chard Valera (assistant Richard Cagape) who is Superman’s alter ego, Clark Cannot (she explained the spoof as in avoidance of infringing on intellectual property rights, similar to why they called his love interest Lois Line). She quipped that, since Richard was hardly into singing, they had to twist his arm to give in. No one could have possibly guessed wrong the song “Ako si Superman.” Nor Richard as up to the challenge.
Before that, Ate Rica called attention to the tarp announcing the 28th Founding Anniversary of Ang Arko ng Pilipinas, Inc. She said the project, dubbed “Pasta for a Cause, is aimed at raising funds for Arko/Punla Community where, for a donation of P500, one may partake of a pasta meal while enjoying acoustic music of John Coleman, Australian singer/songwriter, with the community’s homegrown talents plus a chance to win a raffle prize. The event is on April 10 from 4 to 6 pm, at the Oval park Pavilion, Brookside Hills Subdivision, Cainta, Rizal.
Beaming proudly, Ate Rica recalled that, when Kuya Balty (Armando Baltazar, second board member since Punla’s foundation and its one time chairman) passed away, the Assistants and Volunteers decided to come up with a mini musical tribute for him on Punla’s Anniversary via the OPM acoustic storm, entitled Mamang Sorbetero, in memory of Balty’s regular treating them to, well, ice cream. The kiddults also mounted another presentation Lumang Tugtugin, using improvized instruments for the Anniversary. They planned to make Blue Jeans a sequel but Pasta for a Cause happened so the sequel was shelved for a future occasion.
And so, the next scene was re
ady to unfold. Ate Rica stressed the overflow of prettiness that she made known beforehand and lo and behold, out came seven pretty-as-pink ladies, another Casa Bayanihan volunteer Kendall (all the way from San Francisco), Maya, core members Rea, Lala, Venice, Faith , and volunteer assistant Florence (all the way from France). Before the activity took off, Ate Rica intimated to me that last year, the costumes they used were made out of old newspapers whereas now, she was astounded to discover that there was a budget for real, honest-to-goodness apparel, all designed, cut and sewn by Ate Rose (an Assistant) and Mariflor (core). Aptly enough, the pretty girls danced to the tune of Rachel Platen’s “Fight Song” and, as electric as the theme soundtrack of the Supergirl series, boy! did they explode. And happily hugged one another at the close of their number.
Buoyed by the pretty performance, Ate Rica was naturally ecstatic about what she termed as a major production piece, and egged the audience to please keep guessing and see if their guess is right. One by wonderful one, as “Avenger’s Movie Theme” played, she introduced Mighty Thor (kiddult Marco with his mighty hammer), Captain America (Nikko’s second costume/character), Hawkeye (Kirt), Iron Man (John Paul, foregone because it was the word he greeted me with upon our arrival), Black Widow (assistant Rose) and the Incredible Hulk (returning Richard, his shirt burst at the seams) completing the Avengers. Which most of the watching, appreciating crowd got right. To the emcee’s delight. That wasn’t the highlight, however. For if the pretty supergirls flaunted their terpsichorean skills, the super heroes were not to be dismissed as they pranced, caroused and shook their booty. And what a rousing, rejuvenating choreography that was that defied the scorching heat with its communal energy and unstinting, smiling, albeit sweat-ridden, faces. And, ultimately, the conjoining embrace. That signified their oneness always.
The last presentation entitled “I Need a Hero” brought together all performers in one final act. The spotlight was on Mariflor dressed as a fairy, emoting and doing a lip sync till it was time for the rest of the cast to join her, entering the scene one group after another. Another well-choreographed production number was rendered to the delight of the audience.
As is customary for a Punla program, Ate Rica called back the cast for the curtain call. Which was the cue for Lala to steal a scene. She was at the head of her Supergirl sisters’ line which would not straighten up to collectively bow because she kept curtsying like a prime participant. To the mock chagrin of her companions.
Towards the end, Richard handed out Certificates of Appreciation to Janet Hiso, Vera Santos and Ate Rica for their long-standing volunteer collaboration with the community.
As I leisurely appreciated the regulatory lunch from the laden buffet, I looked around me. People change, I mulled, like Lala now towering over Rea. Or Mariflor, having blossomed into a pretty young lady. And Benito, confidently taking pictures with an SLR camera and, at some point, heckling Richard (Ate Betty hinted that they are close). Or Matti taking over Richard in caring for Jordan (although it was still Rey who was feeding him patiently while his sister Elizabeth fed Miguel).
And I felt light at the thought that, if I don’t see them again in a year’s time, Faith, the motor mouth, will still remember me. Ate Rica will be as ebullient as ever like the gap never existed in spite of her protestations about age and vital statistics. Kuya Ernie Martinez, erstwhile chair and now council member, will opt to speak in English instead of his native Ilocano. Some core members will leave. Some will arrive. Volunteer turn-over will equal the ratio. The seats in the yard will be filled to capacity no matter the weather (it drizzled last year). And life is fair whatever. As long as Jesus is beautiful. Last year. This year. And forever.
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ABRAHAM DE LA TORRE
