Title/Genre: Isa pa: Dalawa Black Comedy Introduction: It is a twin bill production of Luna Sicats Dalawa and Steven

Patrick Fernandez Isa Pang Kawing. It includes Xavier Stage and Hobart Savior as director. It also serves as special offering of Xavier Stage for their first year anniversary. It also Dalawa, which first shown tackles the relationship of two childhood best friends who in four-cornered space test their relationship as one divulged her most kept secrets. Isa Pang Kawing features the true value of Maranao political weddings as the two characters pursue their wedding not because of the sacredness of love but the urge of necessity. Personal Response: Isa pa: Dalawa is the most thought-provoking play Ive ever watched. In between the intelligent lines and challenging situations presented by the actors, I cannot help but question myself if I agree or disagree with the claims and issues voiced out in the play. Is it okay to keep mum when ones father is sexually assaulting her? Is it okay to trade the chance of love to the guarantee of socially acceptable marriage? But, as the play progresses, it never asked for the approval of the audience to the decisions made by the characters. It simply is showcased to expand the social awareness of the audience. It is only in Dalawa that I have witnessed a woman-to-woman relationship, which is ethically disturbing, and morally incorrect yet it is emotionally emphatic and socially moving. I have never personally encountered stories of that sort. But this unfamiliarity leads me to understand the reasons behind the absurdities shown by the characters. A curiosity that brings out the best of my understanding and acceptance of the manners and choices of the characters and even people who I might meet in the future who face similar dilemma. On the contrary, Isa Pa is a storyline, which I know is not a pure mental creation of the writer but the reality in most political marriages. With my given cultural background, I am familiar with how these marriages come into play. But, the stories that I am aware of are all evidences of the weaknesses of women; how they surrender their body and soul in order to serve their family and their social standing and how these women are easily manipulated by the power play of men. But, the play showed that women, if only their sharp enough, can take control of the situation. Both of the plays have powerfully move people to engross themselves to the happenings in the society and in themselves. If they dont, then, who would be the one that would alter or at least develop the totality of the condition of the society and even of each other? Final Statement: I only have the best of comments to say about the play. It may foreshadow itself with hilarity but it presents the two of the heaviest situations, which bear the issues that needs to be tackle urgently. With this technique, they have actually implanted certain lessons to their audience. If ever I hear the song Like a Virgin , it wouldnt just be a Madonna hit, rather, it would remind of the story of the best friends who are trapped in such difficult relationship yet beneath those absurd personalities are women who are crying for justice.