The Vagina Monologues is Eve Ensler’s play that focuses on the feminine experience, with issues like rape, birth, sex, marital infidelity, menstruation, gender identity, and love interspersed in the stories. It is also intended to stop the stigma and shame associated with the word vagina. The 2017 production and benefit performance will be staged on Saturday, April 08.
In the early 2000s, the first TVM production was shown here in Cagayan de Oro and it was graced by none other than Monique Wilson, whose New Voice Company was the first to produce The Vagina Monologues in the country. Wilson joined Kagay-anon talents in the show, which was held at Lauremar Beach Resort (now Apple Tree Resort Hotel).
Last year, the production had its first run at the Xavier University Little Theater and a second show at Seda Centrio Hotel. This time, The Vagina Monologues is being organized and produced by Oro Teatro Bulawanon, the same group that staged Chic Fortich’s Palanca-winning 3-act play Reyna Elena last November and January.
Not Just for Women
The Vagina Monologues is a show by women and about women, but it is not just for women. It is for everyone. In fact, this year (as in the previous years), members of the LGBTQ community and some men are helping out in the production. One of the monologues in the show is about a group of transgenders telling painful stories about childhoods that were riddled with hate and bullying.
There are also five original pieces written by some of the performers this year. To My Friend and My Body Is A Temple were written by Adeva Jane Esparrago. Both pieces touch on the ages-old issue of rape. The Happy Menstruation and The Unhappy Menstruation were written by Aicy Soriano. These monologues are a fun and funny way of recounting the excitement, confusion, and pain of the first few days and months of the so-called “monthly visitor”. The third original piece, written by Bex Espino, is a story about a young girl who transforms into a man.
Each of the stories in The Vagina Monologues have a lesson to tell. This is why the show deserves to be seen.
Donation Tickets
The Vagina Monologues is a benefit show. Its proceeds will be divided between the VDay global fund (a movement against violence on women and girls) and this year’s women beneficiaries (from different sectors). Tickets for the show are on a donation basis. For professionals, donation tickets are at Php100 (minimum – you can give more), while the donation tickets for students are at Php75. Online reservation/registration is available at http://bit.ly/2nBqtE1.
All the performers and production staff on the show are volunteers and are therefore working for free.
The Vagina Monologues will be shown at the Liceo de Cagayan University AVR 1 on Saturday, April 8, at 7pm. Sponsors for the show are Fit Republic, R Hauz, and two individual supporters who prefer not to be named. Contact 0917-8708792 for more details.