In line with their 45th theater year, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) will be doing a theater adaptation of Lino Bocka’s Bona and will be giving it a modern touch to cater more of the younger theater viewers. Bona was film of Brocka in 1981 that receives various recognitions and stars Nora Aunor and Phillip Salvador. It follows the struggle of young woman named Bona who drops out from school in order to support the stuntman named Gardo whom she admired so much. But admiration turns to destruction and pain for Bona when she started to became a personal assistant (PA) to him for free and hoping that Gardo will love her back. But instead of reciprocating her love, Gardo brings home different women and Bona sees it until her patience finally tested and reaches its limit. Bona ended that one way relationship with Gardo by a very violent way and that is pouring boiling water in him.
Now, in the theater adaptation of Bona that will be directed by Soxie Topacio who is a veteran stage actor and award winning director he gives a new presentation to the story and character of Bona with the help of the writer Lalie Bucoy. They modernize Bona’s character now played by Eugene Domingo. She is now a call center agent burdened by her family and became obsess to Gino Sanchez (Edgar Allan de Guzman), a contestant in a reality talent show entitled Star of Tomorrow.
According to Lalie, they maintain the main idea of the original Bona in the theater adaptation where the obsession of Bona to Gino where she will give everything in order to pleases him. That also led to sacrificing her happiness, her family, friends and dignity and hoping for Gino to love her back. They also keep the turning point of the story where Bona finally reaches her limitations that lead to the pouring of the boiling water to Gino. But the rest where updated in order to cater to the generation of theater goers. They brought Bona in the modern world, partially successful with her life which is most of the fans now that has money and can afford to sustain their support to their idols. Also with the technology on how the stars communicate with the followers including the fans to their fellow fans.
The theater adaptation of Bona also celebrates the return of Eugene Domingo to theater where she started as a member of Dulaang UP. According to her it is her first love and became her training ground when she was starting and she continuously look back on those memories and thankful for those who contributed in her formation as an actress.
Bona will be staged at the PETA Theater Center in Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City on August 24-September 23, 2012. Ticket prices: VIP – PHP1, 000, Orchestra – Php 800, and Balcony – Php 600, for inquiries and reservations call PETA Marketing and PR Office at (02)410.0821 and (02) 725.6244.
More photos of PETA Theater’s BONA media launch here.
