Interview: PERATEDES' May Bayot, Harry David Talk the Importance of Family

By Jarred Echevarria

Manila, Philippines--PERATEDES, a Filipino adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca's "The House of Bernarda Alba" will be staged anew in hopes of shedding light on certain issues that are seldom tackled.

In PERATEDES, the prodigal son of the family Peratedes, an upper-middle-class family, Erik (Harry David), returns for the wake of his youngest brother, Alfredo. The death, in which, he was responsible for. Due to the hate and resentment of the family, he runs away from home and tries to leave behind the people that he once called "family." Over time, the absence of the youngest son becomes the strong force that uncovers the family's secrets. One by one, the family begins to realize how difficult it is to understand what a family should do and what each of them has to contribute to their own sufferings.

BroadwayWorld.com recently sat down with PERATEDES director, Harry David, who also plays Erik, and May Bayot, who brings to life the character of Salve.

For David, he states that there are a few issues overlooked in the present: the ability to fix families and the cycle of grief--and how it affects persons and families because of the sorrow of losing their loved ones. Likewise, given that the play is set during the Marcos era, where the prevalence of injustice was felt in various sections of the society, he notes that this piece is a humble tribute to the stories of the unheard victims at that time.

He says PERATEDES is a strong call to all Filipinos because the family in itself is a very controversial subject matter yet underestimated and forgotten.

"Being a Filipino, I feel it's important to preserve strong family ties...awareness about grief and what it does to people. The play is a reminder that the world is not yet educated enough to face these painful truths."

The play is also brave enough to challenge the masculinity of the Filipino society since the titular head of the Peratedes family is a woman, thus a complete negation to how Filipinos would paint a typical family.

David also feels that acting and directing this play is a bold move because the whole creative concept and direction is different. Gratefully, he says the cast has been very collaborative and treats each one as a member of the family.

"It does not feel difficult because they give me notes and suggestions as well."

David recalls that it took him, together with Mosang, another actress in the play, three years to assemble and prepare the piece because he was balancing school and work in New York, where he was able to hone his craft. In Manila, it took them six weeks to do pre-production and only four days to block the whole play. The dedication and creativity of his actors have been "a dream to all of us."

May Bayot, a celebrated theater actress, on the other hand, says this is her first time to perform in a straight play. Though she has been part of two entries to the Virgin Labfest, a showcase of short plays at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, she treats PERATEDES as her baptism of fire. So many emotions have been invested to creating her character, Salve.

She does her homework as well: she researched and even explored the Filipino moral value of "utang na loob," which is an important element in the play.

"Filipinos practice 'utang na loob' until now and this is also seen inside the family. It can be both a positive and negative moral value; at times, it appeals to emotion over logic and does not allow one to think independently."

Bayot, a musical theater veteran, internalizes her character and even adopts a Visayan accent to legitimize her character.

She also remarks that the group has been very cooperative and open-minded. Her director, David, according to her, is open to all suggestions and listens to her opinions.

She offers this play to all mothers.

"Our mothers may be different and difficult, but their intentions would always be for the protection of her children, sometimes even to the point of personal sacrifice. In fact, Salve, in the play, is not married that's why she is supporting her sister for her character was not blessed with a family to start with."

For the Filipino theatergoers, Bayot has this to say, "Always support Filipino productions in as much as you love foreign ones. Filipino talents are there and they give shape and color to the industry. I hope that this play will be appreciated because of its lessons and message."

Members of the cast also include Coleen Perez (Lana), Che Talavera (Diana), Rence Aviles (Testigo), Chic San Agustin (Carla), Neil Tolentino (Balthazar), and character actress Mosang (Dolores).

PERATEDES plays Teatro Hermogenes Ylagan, College of Arts and Letters, in UP Diliman on Saturday, November 14, and Sunday. November 15.

For tickets, call or text Nel Gumalog (639176203682) or KL Carpio (639278641734).

Photos: Armani Bandala (1) Harry David and Mosang; (2) May Bayot and Pau Benitez; (3) Choreographer Nicolo Magno, Joel Movera, Nel Estuya, and Nel Gumalog

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