MONUMENTO 1896 Review
Written by Jenny Simon, adapted and directed for theater by Rodel J. Mercado
Theater has always been a platform to tell stories, to push advocacies, to reconnect with our past, our history, to speak truth about the society. It is and will always be political but what’s also important is that is should be also entertaining.
Monumento 1986 is a theater play for all, it’s for all ages. It can be cheesy or cringey at times, but it’s probably because the target market are the Gen Zs. But this is something worth mounting, maybe even adapting for TV because the material is both educational and entertaining.
What if you get to talk to our national heroes? To important people from our history? And in the present setting. That’s already interesting. But what Monumento 1986 made is bridge the gap between then and now. That things haven’t really changed. And the things that these people from history are fighting for are still being fought by people today.
I think what most people would enjoy is the character of Ada, the diwata. She’s the bridge between then and now, and what she does with her character is so interesting, so fresh and so funny that you’ll probably wait for her lines that will drive you nuts. Knowing everything, she can easily make jokes about the past and make it captivating for the audience whatever their age is.
The cast members are also pleasing to the eyes which adds to the appeal of the stage play.
While it would have been a more memorable experience if it delve deeper to the issues it opened, I’m still satisfied with what I saw especially knowing the target audience. The material is already taking bigger leaps in entertainment and sending a message to the new generation.
Theater-Arts-in-Education Tour
May 20, 2023 San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila Auditorium
May 27, 2023 San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila Auditorium
June 17 & 18, 2023 SM North Edsa SkyDome
For Show Buyers and Tickets they can call 0927-2422673 and 0915-5197779
For more information about Monumento 1986, you can check Frontline Production, Inc.’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/FrontlineProduction.