Mothers, sons, and the Martial Law era in ‘Emulsyon’
Mothers, sons, and the Martial Law era in ‘Emulsyon’
Elijah Canlas and Meryll Soriano in Loyalist Redux and Indigo Child / Courtesy of Irvin Arénas and Chiara Amor / Feature art by Abigail Manaluz
When I first heard of Emulsyon, I immediately got curious because of its title. An emulsion is said to be a mixture of two immiscible liquids like water and oil. As a twin bill, it makes perfect sense how both plays are centered on a mother and son and the impacts of the Martial Law era in the Philippines, but contrasting in the tone and how the characters grapple with their realities.
Apothecary Productions’ Emulsyon is their first-ever offering directed by Heart Romero, and they gave such an impressive staging for their maiden production adapting two highly regarded works — Indigo Child by Rody Vera and Loyalist Redux by Kanakan-Balintagos. The play caught my attention because it boasts of these writing masters and then puts together Elijah Canlas and Meryll Soriano as the leads.
Canlas plays Anak/Jerome while Soriano plays Ma/Felisa. Their performances complement each other, and I was in awe of their acting the whole time. Jay Entienza, Dia Papio, and Ivan Hinggan are also commendable as the ensemble, their faces full or sometimes devoid of emotion. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch Nathan Molina and Noelle Polack’s show dates, but I heard from my colleagues that they delivered with their roles.
When asked, “How does the twin bill structure of Emulsyon elevate its message?” Soriano says that both plays are different from each other and that her characters are on opposite ends of the spectrum. “I think I am in love with the merging of the two; as an actor, it’s difficult, but as the audience, it’s different,” says Soriano. It was indeed an interesting experience to see the same actor do an emotionally demanding role just minutes after you laugh with them.
Canlas explains, “Both plays are stories about mother and son with discussions on truths and generational differences around the period of Martial Law,” He says that it’s powerful as a twin bill and that many would be able to relate to their characters. I couldn’t help but see myself in Canlas’ character (and my mother in Soriano’s), especially in Loyalist Redux.
Given that both stars already have successful careers, I asked, “Why is it important for actors to continue participating in performances that address political themes?” Soriano says that she grew up not open to speaking up due to the lack of a platform, being groomed to not speak her mind on anything politics. “Now I have a new platform in theater where I can shout loud.”
“As an actor, I’m very fulfilled since I haven’t done theater in, like eight years. I know the power of film and telling stories, but with theater, it’s more immediate, it’s happening live in front of your eyes,” Canlas answers. He continues with how his purpose as an actor is more than just the personal and that in these trying times, being indifferent to the injustices happening around us is unbecoming of an actor.
I am astonished by the way both plays were staged. It’s not a big production, but it has a big and timely message now that another Marcos has found his seat in the presidency. Its antonymic genres might seem out of place at first, but it just reinforces the core of Emulsyon in that everything is political, and that a nuclear family is not spared from the atrocities of the Martial Law.
SINEGANG.ph is an official media partner of Emulsyon.
