Last Order sa Penguin

Last Order sa Penguin is a play/book written by Chris Martinez. It tells of colorful characters nearing their thirties and how they struggle with each of their own issues. The play is set at Penguin Cafe, which I've been told is the type of place you go to have interesting company. "Artsy fartsy" they say, just like how the characters here are portrayed. Have not read the full text of the book, but I have read a big chunk. Planning to read the whole thing soon.

We had the honor of doing an excerpt from the play for our Theater class' final exam. I played Tess.

   "TUXQS: Masayahing bading, magte-trenta, dating iskultor na ngayon ay production designer na; siya ang nagtawag ng gimmick ngayong gabi. 

    HARLENE: Problemadong babae, magte-trenta, dating artista sa entablado na ngayon ay nagdu-dubbing ng Japanese cartoons; pilit siyang nagpapakasaya bagama’t may bumabagabag sa kanya buong gabi. 

        TESS: Maganda at seksing babae, magte-trenta, dating filmmaker na ngayon ay editor sa isang post-production house; laging excited sa tuwing sex ang pinag-uusapan. 

        DYNA: Matapobre ngunit nakatutuwang babae, magte-trenta, dating makata na ngayon ay magtatrabaho sa isang P.R. agency; ang pinakapasosyal sa grupo.

       MARIO: Lalaking maamo ang mukha at kalugod-lugod ang personalidad, magtetrenta, dating adik sa droga na ngayon ay pusher na rin ng designer; business minded at napaka-charming."

Interesting, yeah?

All characters are apparently real people. Upon further research, I found that this play was once performed in the real Penguin Cafe with characters played by the real people they were based on. We also had the pleasure of meeting Tuxqs Rutaquio this term because we watched two of his plays this term: Dulaang UP's "Titus Andronicus" and "Nobyembre Noong Akala Ko'y Mahal Kita". He is such a pleasant and funny fellow. Directs great plays, too.

Last Order sa Penguin is available in most National Bookstores and even Powerbooks.

"Hindi ako ang tumatumbling, siya ang tumatumbling for me! I ay am the chasee, not the chaser. I am the hunted, not the hunter..."  

-Tess, Last Order sa Penguin

Photos from Lark who played Tuxqs and also bagged the best actor award, and Adrian Guadalupe.

Posters by Kat Belarmino