‘Request Sa Radyo’ displays how ache wrestles with solitude

Lea Salonga as an unnamed Filipino nurse in a scene from “Request Sa Radyo.” Picture: Sandro Paredes by way of Request sa Radyo

The primary jiffy of “Request Sa Radyo” begins with an on a regular basis routine. A lady—bundled up in winter garments after a busy work day—returns dwelling and sighs. However whereas being exhausted after an extended day is nothing new, her deadpanned expression and lifeless eyes, present the issue of navigating isolation and the noise of 1’s interior demons, amidst what seems to be a masks of solitude.

Primarily based on Franz Xaver Kroetz’s play “Wunschkonzert (Request Program),” “Request Sa Radyo” is completed in silence. In alternate portrayals, Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon painting an unnamed abroad Filipino nurse craving private safety, amid the hardships of working overseas. All through her nightly routine, she finds consolation by way of the radio program “Request Sa Radyo” which brings a second of normalcy into her life.

Salonga is broadly recognized for her clear voice and magnetic presence in musicals. However within the “Request Sa Radyo,” she dangers stripping off what the general public is aware of of her. Within the two-hour play, she was raveled and expressionless, as she portrayed the soulless lifetime of an OFW in isolation. Her background as a theater and movie actress was her largest benefit, permitting her actions and lifeless eyes to do a lot of the “speaking” within the 400-seater area.

Whereas the intimate setting initially felt like a peek into the solitude of Salonga’s character, her overly tidy residence, calculated actions, and nightly routine timed till the final second is a masks of a nurse who’s desperately attempting to maintain her interior demons in examine, so it wouldn’t explode into the floor. However her private baggage finds its manner at sure moments—equivalent to a scene the place her character cleans her residence and organizes her dinner desk, however in a “pagdadabog” manner.

Lea Salonga portrays a anonymous abroad Filipino nurse in “Request Sa Radyo” in an alternate lead position with Dolly de Leon. Picture: Sandro Paredes by way of Request sa Radyo

Her interior struggles take a backseat as quickly as Salonga tunes in to “Request Sa Radyo” which performs a string of OPM classics together with Bamboo’s “Hallelujah,” and Ben&Ben’s “Leaves.” This second of composure displays the character doing her duties with ease, equivalent to slowly tidying up her residence, breaking out right into a silent sing-along to one of many songs, and fascinating in a color-by-the-numbers pastime.

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However as quickly as DJ bids goodbye to her listeners, Salonga’s solitude transforms right into a silent hell, with the interior demons gnawing at her character. The climax takes place as she prepares herself for mattress, however struggles to go to sleep. Whereas she—and the theater lights—swap off, she engages in an inside wrestle of attempting to go to sleep, a lot to her disappointment.

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Whereas sleepless nights are regular for some, Salonga wordlessly wrestling with methods to convey herself into the solitude she craves turns into an adrenaline rush—even desperately gazing at her color-by-the-numbers masterpiece to convey pleasure—till she reaches for what seems to be a bottle of sleeping drugs and vodka.

 Picture: Sandro Paredes by way of Request sa Radyo

Taking up a silent play is a big gamble for Salonga, as she’s remembered for her roles in musicals. However “Request Sa Radyo” reveals her depth and vulnerability to let viewers into her character’s interior demons by way of masterfully weaving subdued actions and large expressions solely by way of her eyes. Discovering the stability between expressive gestures and “mata mata” appearing is a problem for a lot of actors, however she proved that her experiences as an actress and singer in a number of mediums had been her largest asset in pulling off her position.

Not lots of people will perceive Salonga’s portrayal of the character, as loneliness proven in silence is normally misunderstood—particularly in an period the place psychological well being struggles are considered as a compelled obligation to talk up or a chance for advantage signaling. However her relaxed and adrenaline-inducing actions and soulless expressions present not solely her dedication to the position but additionally wordless solidarity with these going by way of the identical ache.

It’s one factor to meticulously examine a job for a picture-perfect portrayal, however Salonga offers a small room to really feel her character’s silent cries mirrored all through the play, highlighting her empathy.

Picture: Sandro Paredes by way of Request sa Radyo

“Request Sa Radyo” is just not for everybody. It’s a wordless play that doesn’t have the extravagance and over-the-top glamor of musicals, which might understandably flip others off. Nevertheless it’s a chunk that instructions consideration by way of silence, and the way its lifelike moments—nearly to the purpose of creating the viewers query their sanity as nicely—remind the viewers that scuffling with loneliness manifests by way of stillness.

The play additionally reveals that ache occurs once you’re left alone. What’s initially regarded as mere disappointment is usually a silent monster locked within the depths of your thoughts, till it seems to be a monstrous leviathan, consuming you with no escape.

“Request Sa Radyo” is operating till October 20 on the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati.