Twin Bill “Emulsyon” Explores the Enduring Scars of Martial Law Through Mothers and Sons

Twin Bill “Emulsyon” Explores the Enduring Scars of Martial Law Through Mothers and Sons

For its debut production, Apothecary Productions dives deep into complex political themes with Emulsyon, a twin bill of Indigo Child by Rody Vera and Loyalist Redux by Känakän-Balintagos. Led by producer and director Heart Romero, the twin plays explore the enduring impact of Martial Law, examining familial trauma and loyalty.

Indigo Child shares the harrowing story of a son coming to terms with his mother’s traumatic detention experience during the Marcos regime. Inspired by the real-life story of Adora Faye de Vera, the play examines trauma’s lingering effects through the mother’s therapy and the son’s quest for resolution.

Meanwhile, Loyalist Redux presents a different family dynamic, portraying an ideological clash between a Marcos loyalist mother and her activist son. Their confrontation highlights the tension between political beliefs and family bonds, reflecting on the corrosive impact the dictatorship left on families.

Romero, who first directed Indigo Child as a thesis production at PUP, found encouragement from friends to bring it to a professional stage. Embracing the challenge, she returned to Erehwon Center for the Arts, the same venue as the earlier production.

“Noong una, usapang lasing lang siya,” shares Romero. “Tapos nag-decide kami na, sige i-produce natin iyung Indigo Child, hopefully by September para sumakto sa Martial Law.” Fred Layno, head production manager, suggested expanding it to a twin bill, as Indigo Child runs just 35 to 40 minutes. After researching, they found Loyalist Redux, another mother-son story with a lighter, comedic tone that provided a fitting thematic balance.

A Familiar Cast with Added Depth

The production stars Meryll Soriano and Noelle Polack as “Ma” in Loyalist Redux and “Feliza” in Indigo Child, and Elijah Canlas and Nathan Molina as “Anak” and “Jerome.” The ensemble includes Dia Papio, Jay Entienza, and Ivan Hinggan. Polack and Molina, who performed in the thesis production, had the opportunity to meet the real-life inspirations for their characters—Adora Faye de Vera and her son, Ron. “I was lucky enough to have met the real Adora,” shares Polack. “She’s public, doing the work, continuing her advocacy. I feel like that has also lent some level of energy to my character.”

A New Milestone

For Soriano, Emulsyon marks her first fully staged performance as a professional, following a staged reading earlier this year. Reflecting on her journey with theater, she says, “I did plays when I was younger, but I never felt ready. Grabe iyung stage fright ko. And now, at 41, sa kakanood ko ng plays sa theater [last year], [napapaisip ako kung] ano ba talaga iyung magic na iyan na sinasabi nila.”

“And then, nakakaramdam na ako na, ‘I’m ready,’” she shares. “I think it’s my age, my maturity. And sa pagkakakilala ko sa sarili ko as an actor, parang nararamdaman ko iyung, I wanna evolve. I want to discover more.”

Soriano had envisioned herself in a play like Night, Mother, also a two-hander about a mother and her child, while specifically hoping to work with Canlas again. When Romero told her that it was probably Canlas who was going to play her son, Soriano felt the universe was aligning for her. “I think magtatampo iyung universe kung tanggihan ko. Baka hindi na ako mabigyan ng ganitong opportunity.”

Compelling Duality 

An intriguing aspect of this production is that the same set of actors (Soriano and Canlas; Polack and Molina) will perform in both plays for each show, with a mere 15-minute intermission between. Audiences get to witness a transformation, especially from the actresses, who switch from a Marcos loyalist to a Martial Law victim.

“It’s very challenging, but I feel like it’s a really good stretch as an artist, especially as somebody who wants to be part of telling these kinds of stories, ” says Polack. “I’m so grateful. I feel like this combination just doesn’t happen to anyone. I haven’t seen anything like it, so I’m glad I get to do it.”

“Ako, kinakabahan,” admits Soriano.“Noong binabasa ko iyung script, from Loyalist to Indigo, ‘Paano to?’ Tapos 15 minutes lang iyung pagitan nung shift?” But she’s excited, sharing, “I was telling Heart, binigay mo sa akin iyung dalawang plays na gusto ko, iyung heavy at tsaka comedy, dahil I love comedy. Doon ako lumaki. Sitcom baby ako eh. I get to do things in a different milieu, on stage, so I’m really excited to see kung saan darating iyung kaba ko.”

Echoes of History, Relevance Today

As the country heads toward another election season, Polack feels the plays resonate deeply with current events. “We’re in a period where, ayan na naman, pa-election na ulit. And then with everything that’s happening now sa senate, all of those things that are happening, ang lakas nanaman ng divide. We feel it. And it’s not just between the pinks and the others and whoever. Ang labo labo na ngayon eh. It’s anybody’s game.”

She adds, “I really think that it’s important for us to be strong in our advocacies and our convictions, but at the same time, to leave room for nuance. It’s not black or white. I think the quote na sinabi ni Sir Kanakan doon sa Loyalist was, ‘We are loyal to the ones we love.’ So in the time of, pagkasira-sira ng mga pamilya because of political issues, how do we open up these conversations?” 

“I know that more progressive people will find that this is something that they’d want to watch but I also hope that maybe people with other political persuasions will also be open to listening because I feel like the plays open that up.”

Reflecting on her upbringing in show business, Soriano reveals that roles like these provide a platform to voice her convictions in ways her upbringing prevented. “I always felt silenced kasi tita ko si ganito, tatay ko si ganito, so bawal ako magsalita kasi mag-rereflect sa kanila. Ganun ako pinalaki. That’s why I value my work so much kasi doon ko lang nararamdaman na may boses ako. I don’t get to go on rallies or shout out on my platforms that ‘I’m this, this, and this.’ Na-groom ako to not say anything about these things.”

Now, she explains, acting has become her means of expressing her deepest convictions. “I’m conflicted most of the times because I feel strongly about my opinions and everything na pinaglalaban ko rin, but sa ganitong lugar ko lang naisisigaw nang malakas.”

“Nandito ako ngayon, screaming at the top of my lungs sa hindi ko maisigaw. I’m conflicted sa labas nito, but I’m happy that I have this.”

Romero hopes to bring out each character’s individual story, saying, “Marami siyang nadadaplisan na topics, not just Martial Law. It’s also mental health, trauma, and family.” The plays will be performed in the round,  allowing audiences to see every corner of the performances and experience the narrative in full.

She envisions Apothecary continuing to stage socio-political productions rooted in the advocacy work of the Human Rights and People Empowerment Center (HRPEC), an NGO whose social arm, Teatro Tao sa Tao, advances human rights conversations through performance. She, along with several company members, is part of this group.

Emulsyon will run on November 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 2 PM and 6 PM at the Erehwon Center for the Arts, Quezon City. Tickets are PHP 1,500 (Silver) and PHP 2,000 (Gold) and can be purchased through Ticket2Me.