The real star of this dark comedy is a flamboyant supporting character whose zest and creativity perfectly capture the heart of a revolution that this play declares to be still alive.
Hope is a theme that Floy Quintos’ ‘The Reconciliation Dinner’ perpetually explores throughout its entire 90 minutes of uninterrupted play. A hefty, chuckle-worthy dissection of what happens next when families and friendships get confronted with deviations in political beliefs and similar differences, the play hinges on the thought that what already was broken can still be fixed.
First staged in November 2022 by Dulaang UP, The Reconciliation Dinner’s comeback comes a year after the controversial, heartbreaking to many, May 2022 elections. The spotlight is upon two families: the Valderamas and the Medinas. The close ties between these families go back to when Susan Valderama (Frances Makil-Ignacio) and Dina Medina (Stella Cañete-Mendoza), met in college and became best friends.
Remained close many years after the pair’s previously-seen formidable friendship suddenly began to fall apart when both had different political choices.
It November 2016, Dina invited Susan and her husband, Fred (Jojo Cayabyab)–to have dinner. Initially, the plan is to be a night of catching up and enjoying each other’s company. But it ultimately became a night of chaos when the news about the burial of an infamous dictator became the subject of discussion.
Revealing the true inclination of each side, with the Valderamas clearly against Duterte’s approval of the dictator’s burial and the Medinas not seeing any problem with the decision, the discussion did not right away split the two families asunder, but it did leave a crack that ultimately brought the friendship on the brink of collapse.
Fast forward to the 2022 elections, much more have been revealed about the two families’ personal differences, and with each supporting rival presidential candidates, the stark division was even clearer. And then Marcos Jr. won. There was a hope that after the noise and heat of the election, what united the two families before, would again bring them together. It was a sad news, however, that made Susan consider rekindling the friendship. A dinner invitation from the Medinas that the Valderamas could not say no to, brought them back into the welcoming home of the former. Susan and Fred brought with them their gay son, Norby (Phi Palmos), while Dina and Fred obliged their daughter Mica (Mica Pineda) and their son-in-law, Ely (Nelsito Gomez), to join them.
One can clearly see that the major antagonist in the story is Bert (Randy Medel Villarama), whose massive meltdown moment during the last minutes of the play, kind of revealed that some revolting traits don’t easily bend and break by confrontations, alone. Bert is clearly someone who likes making jokes, but at the same time, he is someone who can’t be at the receiving end.
Cañete-Mendoza and Makil-Ignacio have this charming rapport, that both of them kept solid throughout the play. Their chemistry as old-time BFFs shined through and through, that even though it was impossible to support both their contrasting political principles, it was extremely difficult to root for the restoration of their previously endearing relationship. Cayabyab’s Fred may be less intimidating that Villarama’s Bert, but he’s clearly a fighter who is ready to deploy his entire arsenal, whenever he gets confronted with threats.
Mica, as charming as she is, can’t decide on her own when it comes to her choices. Ely, who is brilliantly played by Nelsito Gomez, had that one defining moment when his long-held secret was finally revealed. It was not at all surprising, but when that happened, it was impossible to celebrate with him, what appeared to be a feat.
The real star of this play, however, is the flamboyant Norby, exceptionally played by Phi Palmos. Through him, The Reconciliation Dinner was able to reflect the energy of a brave generation that defies deep-seated traditions and beliefs. He’s that hope that this play tries to prove remains alive.
Through the magical playwright skills of Quintos, and exemplary sharpness of Dexter Santos at the directional helm, The Reconciliation Dinner, perfectly mirrors that chaotic journey that many families and friendships, must have gone through in the last 7 years. Brimming with both intense comic energy and emotionally-jarring, sometimes hurtful truths, most of us need to confront one way or another, this play is an invitation you can’t say no to.
Shows are now held every Saturday and Sunday, from May 13 to 28, at the Power Mac center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati. Secure tickets via ticket2me.net.
Through the magical playwright skills of Quintos, and exemplary sharpness of Dexter Santos at the directional helm, The Reconciliation Dinner, perfectly mirrors that chaotic journey that many families and friendships, must have gone through in the last 7 years. Brimming with both intense comic energy and emotionally-jarring, sometimes hurtful truths, most of us need to confront one way or another, this play is an invitation you can’t say no to.
Shows are now held every Saturday and Sunday, from May 13 to 28, at the Power Mac center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati. Secure tickets via ticket2me.net.
