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I watched the play, “The Fathers and Sons" by Dulaang UP. Aplay written by Nick
Joaquin. It is set in the 70's and, from what I've seen, features the life of Zacarias
Monzon and his children; His legacy, and present life with stroke, as well as how
this affected him and the people around him.
The first things that stood out to me was it's outstanding characters, How the
actors portrayed them so well. Each character had their own quirks. Bessie, which
the story started with, was a bar girl, taken by Don Monson in his own house,
eventually becoming his willing caretaker (and the only care giver there that he
really listens to), One of his (many) children, Nena, was also there, who's been
taking care of him and the house her whole life (though admitting that she only
does it for her own pride and gain). Marcelo Monzon's Wife, Sofia, who's
straightforward yet empathetic and Also the mother of Chitong; An aspiring priest
that is looking for his "vocation", The nurse and daughter of Don Monzon's
customer, Mrs. Paulo. Marcelo Monzon, "The Son" (I believe), who has pent up
anger against his then abusive father that tries his hardest to not be like him, and
finally, The Father" Zacarias Monzon, referred to as a brute father with many
riches and women in the old times, but is now nearly in his 80's and is a
sedentary old man after getting stroke for the 2nd time.
Old Filipino culture was tackled very heavily in this story, The famous "Boogie"
dance in the older times that was mentioned in Nena's story of her friends coming
over the mansion and eventually dancing, as well as The wearing of boots casually
in the old times like Marcelo did when he asked a pretty classmate of Nena to
dance with him. The setting itself showed the Filipino culture off also, It was a
typical Filipino house made out of wood. There's things that make it spectacular
though, The horse rigs, The laborers, and most importantly, The long table they
claim 3 dozen people can dine on; "Investments", especially furniture related
ones that rich Filipinos seem to love were really shown here. I truly see the long
table as a symbol of Don Monzon's utter popularity and traits, He was a "man of
the crowd", who welcomed people in his house to eat in feasts, to drink with, etc.
which is a typical Filipino trait of accommodation and the love to do things with
others.
Don Monzon also mentioned his backstory, How he started with nothing "No land
in his name", and how he worked hard to have his Caritela (Kalesa) business that
brought him his status in the present. A Typical thing Filipino elders do,
apparently intending to "motivate" .

My favorite part of the play however, was when Marcelo reflected on his actions
of beating Chito up with his father's "latigo" (whip) when he brought Bessie back
in the house, knowing his grandfather needed her.
Here, he dreadfully recalls being hit at the "kabisera" (the position of a seat in the
dining table, used by those of high power) of the table and begging his father to
not hit him in the face by that very same whip and how he, has become like his
father due to the actions he's displaying, no he did not have a mistress like his
own wife jokingly suggested, but he acted harshly and hurt his own son; Which
was his very fear. It was a very raw moment, a break from the aggression he's
been showing from the start. This part showed off his trauma and true feelings
towards his father, a truly understandable one at that.
I also loved the part where Bessie admitted she loved working for Don Monzon,
for he made her realize that even though the world she is working for is "wild and
vile", Maybe through here, she manages to tame, and help such brutal men like
Don Monzon; Even refusing the "more decent" job offered to her by Sofia and
coming back to where Don Monzon found him, the bar. It was truly a genuine
moment.
Overall, this might be one of my favorite plays. With such a sorrowful theme,
they managed to make it fun (I liked the accuracy of the choreography of Nena's
"Boogie" dance and her doing it so suddenly as well despite her seemingly serious
demeanor was entertaining and intelligently timed), And I was surprised at how
they involved humor so smoothly. It was truly was a rollercoaster of emotions;
The lighting helped in this for it was used appropriately and impressively. There
would be scenes where the lighting would stay as the one in the house, but then
turns really dark when the scene turns dramatic, as well as when characters are to
be highlighted; they also used it as a transition which I thought was very smart.