SOLILOQUY. An actress delivers her lines in vivid emotions and gestures during the VDay Monologues staged at Xavier University Little Theater on February 8 and 9.
Words by Stephen J Pedroza
Photos by Bo Daclan
Enthused by the exceptional stories of and interviews with hundreds of women across the globe about their vaginas, “The Vagina Monologues” and its sequel “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer” came into fruition in the 1990s. Beyond their theatrical success and the “vajazzles,” these two works under Eve Ensler’s lurid oeuvre have been elevated into an empowering movement and passionate undertaking against violence on women and girls, including the LGBT community — performed in over 140 countries and adapted into more than 50 languages.
Following the success of VDay Monologues’ run at Xavier University on February 8 and 9 as part of the Panaghugpong 8 - Xavier Arts Festival, the show's organizer and co-director Maia Fortich-Poblete shares with us the piece’s consummating emphasis on women’s issues that makes it not just entertaining but, more importantly, profound, human and poignant.
For those who haven't watched VDay Monologues, can you give us a brief background or the context of the show?
The VDay Monologues is a show featuring Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" and excerpts from "A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer." The stories in the monologues were collected from over 200 interviews that Eve did in different countries. They tell of stories about women and their pain, confusion, sadness, joy, fear, discoveries, and realizations of being a woman. A Memory, A Monologue..., on the other hand, is a collection of stories by male and female writers who experienced or witnessed violence in different forms.
How would you describe the reception of the Xavier audience to VDay?
We had a two-night show and on both nights, the audience laughed and cried with us. The audience during the second night, however, was more participative. It was evident that they had fun!
What themes did VDay touch on? Why is there a need to talk about these issues?
The overall theme of VDay presentations worldwide is putting a stop to violence against women and girls. Our group, however, chose to include men and the LGBT community members. This is an issue we need to talk about because there are a lot of people, especially in Cagayan de Oro City, who do not know or do not believe that this [kind of violence] is happening here. We may know of somebody who has been or who continues to be violated. We want the victims to know that it's okay to speak up.
So VDay is about women empowerment, on that premise, how would you characterize a modern Filipina?
VDay is really about helping women appreciate and love themselves more; so that they will be confident enough to fight back when the need arises. So that they will be stronger, happier, and more fulfilled.
The modern Filipina is like that — confident, strong, someone knows what she wants; fights back when she is violated. The modern Filipina knows her worth in society, and knows how to use it properly. Finally, the modern Filipina knows when to speak up.
What's next for VDay?
The VDay Monologues will be restaged at Seda Centrio Hotel for evening shows on March 12 and 13, 2016, just a few days after Women's Day which is on March 8. This is our contribution to the World Women's Month celebration.
DIVERSE CAST. Students and professionals, young and old, men, women and members of the LGBT community form part of the colorful cast of VDay Monologues.