CABUYAO CITY, Philippines–Fixation with preserving one’s self-image, both real and unreal, has become a way of life, and this truth reverberates in Ang Sundalong Hambog, DUNGAW’s gastronomical version of the Plautinian play under the direction of Elmer Rufo.
Pyrgopolynices (Edgardo Salazar) is the egocentric soldier whose bragging of make-believe herculean feats is a basic need. His egocentrism is detrimental to his social inferiors.
Pleusicles (Franzis de Pedro) is robbed of his lady love, Philocomasium (Ma. Melina Andrea Labadan). Palaestrio (Fred Leeker Saguan), loyal servant to Pleusicles, endures separation from his master and endangers himself in rescuing Philocomasium from the braggart soldier.
Palaestrio is honorable in his goal and becomes cunning in crafting a scheme to achieve that goal. He enjoins the long-winded Periplectomenus (Jovin Mandigma), the courtesan Acroteleutium (Hannah Maraña), the assistant Milphidippa (Princess Janerry Dizon), and Pleusicles in deceiving Sceledrus (Richmond Ata) and the soldier.
Together, they deceive Pyrgopolynices whose self-indulgence has blinded him from discovering the ploy against him. As expected of a comedy that ends happily, Pleusicles is reunited with Philocomasium and Palaestrio, and the others – Periplectomenus, Acroteleutium, and Milphidippa – rejoice for being instrumental.
Acting was raw, and this rawness gave the staging of the original its own relish, perhaps too much to conservatism and too little to liberalism, but enough to delight and to teach the local audiences.
Salazar’s imposing presence on stage dwarfs his social environment; his every movement swings them to fear and adoration. His arrogance is not a representation but his own nature, and this is what makes his acting impactful. The look on Saguan’s face fashions him as a pitiful victim of the soldier’s vaulting arrogance, but his clever plan transforms him into a master.
Atas is stupid in the play as required by his character. His stupidity is not loathsome, but endearing. The gaiety in Mandigma makes his hospitality sincere. When he performs his part in the plan, this gaiety becomes wickedness making Mandigma an actor of range.
The cast were able to capitalize on their natural abilities to be able to contribute to the overall flavoring of the play, that is why, Rufo’s direction is marked by a careful selection of ingredients for a palatable food.
