Theater & Arts
“Air Force, all the way!”
Don’t be fooled by its first few minutes of humorous chants and boyish banter, as Ateneo ENterteynment para sa Tao, Bayan, LAnsangan, at DiyOs’ (ENTABLADO) Bombita eventually descends into the harsh realities of forced subservience and unjust power dynamics faced by military recruits.
Directed by Danielyn Del Rosario, Bombita follows titular character Salvador Bombita (Robi Dizon, alternate Carlo Oleta), and his fellow Air Force recruits from Squad 4 on their journey to becoming full-fledged military men. Sent on harrowing missions with the task of delivering “top secret items” incognito, they soon realize the dark consequences of their blind obedience and the treachery that lies beneath the authority they’ve submitted to.
Twists and turns
This award-winning play by esteemed playwright Tony Perez takes the audience on a witty, action-packed ride with its characters without sacrificing its core message. Each scene relies on its subtle buildup of tensions, masking it with witty dialogue and slapstick jokes, before dragging viewers into the downward spiral of deceit, dejection, and painful realizations faced by its protagonists. The whole production is structured on the prominent emotions manifested in the protagonists’ shared character arc—from optimism and excitement to hopeless resignation.
The unique execution of plot buildup was made possible by the polished performances of each cast member. Dizon’s take on the youthful and passionate character of Bombita shines in key moments of the plot that highlight his clumsy yet enthusiastic persona. However, he is at risk of being overshadowed by the performances of his slightly snappier castmates in group-oriented scenes. Alex Dungca stands out as squad leader Feliciano Suaco (alternate Jonnel Inojosa), treading the fine line between encouraging comrade and menacing dictator. His climactic monologue during the play’s pivotal scene is brilliantly chilling. Vino Mabalot’s portrayal of fellow cadet Cecilio Tarona (alternate Miguel Basconcillo) slowly grows on the audience as he reveals the heart behind his virile character, especially when he speaks of the life he left behind to join the military. Marc Chua and Gabo Tolentino are the wildly spirited recruits Nestor Jumao-as (alternate Alvy Alviar) and Gerardo de Lara (alternate Andy Reysio-Cruz), respectively, engaging viewers with their comedic dynamic and in-your-face quips. This makes it even more unsettling when they spiral out of their usual character, whether it’s de Lara’s heavily emotional scenes or Jumao-as’ uncharacteristically violent episodes. However, it’s evident that the group’s overall chemistry led their collective performance to outshine their individual ones.
With much of the production relying on the cast’s strong acting, it is only fitting that their performances are complemented by Gerald Manuel’s simple yet dynamic set design, highlighted by vibrant camouflage prints and movable panels that instantly add distinction to every scene. The standout centerpiece is the squad’s jeepney, an installation of multiple wooden boxes constantly rearranged by the characters on their journey to complete their mission orders. This uniquely crafted set is accompanied by Gabo Tolentino’s dramatic lighting design which created smooth transitions between scenes. Other notable aspects of the design were the changes in color to set the mood, the use of strobe lights, and the smart execution of selective focus for certain scenes. Andy Reysio-Cruz’s amusingly apt sound design effectively nuanced the cast’s performances, adding emphasis to the eccentric choreography and clever script with comical effects and a nostalgic yet fresh musical score.
Dead on target
The primary goal of an ENTABLADO production is to have its core issue hit home come curtain call, and it achieves just that with its 37th season opener. Despite being a play written during the 1980s, Bombita’s message remains relevant today, especially with the continued presence of hazing and institutional violence in supposedly safe environments like the Philippine Military Academy, as well as talks of restoring the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program in all universities across the country. In showing how Squad 4’s diligence and obedience is met with betrayal and degradation, the play effectively encourages discourse on the use of violence and the abuse of power as methods of discipline. Rather than blatantly pushing its stance on the issue, Bombita cleverly lays out the situation as it is, focusing on raising awareness and allowing audiences to think critically about the topics being brought to center stage.
Overall, Bombita succeeds as a well-rounded production with a powerful message at its core, mainly highlighted by brilliant performances due to the cast’s easygoing chemistry and contagious enthusiasm. Along with stellar technical direction and a gripping interpretation of a classic Tony Perez script, this play hits all points dead center, leaving its audiences with much to think about as the lights fade to black.
