Nicco Manalo stars in 'Para Kay B.' Photo from the play's Facebook page

When author Lucas was writing his anthology of short stories about women, he believed that love had a quota, and not all love stories will succeed. Irene was averse to boys whose names began with a J. Sandra regularly spent time going to Room 23 of a motel. Erica was an online endorser from a place where the residents have forgotten how to love. Ester was a widow whose only memento of her greatest love was a photocopied photograph. 

His fifth story was about Bessie, who was an aspiring actress. Even if she was a loud, talkative extrovert in contrast to Lucas's quiet, withdrawn introvert, she was Lucas's inspiration in writing this set of stories. She was the B in the title of the book, as Lucas was dedicating his stories to her. However, she still cavorted with a politician's son Brigs and the two played a very cruel prank on Lucas. Lucas was very hurt, such that her story was left unresolved.

Ever-reliable Nicco Manalo underplays Lucas to give the five women protagonists of his stories their respective spotlight. Ava Santos's Bessie was loud, bold and brazen. Martha Comia shared Irene's astounding photographic memory to her impressive line delivery.  Matel Patayon's Sandra (alternate Sarah Garcia) told the most unsettling taboo story. Via Antonio's Erica (alternate Yesh Burce) was outrageously humorous as expected. The arc of Olive Nieto's Ester (alternate Liza Dino) played more smoothly these days than 20 years ago. 

Esteban Mara (alternate Vincent Pajara) was the old friend Jordan Irene was looking for. Gino Ramirez played Lupe, Sandra's playmate in the warehouse. Gold Aceron (alternate AJ Benoza) played Ester's gay son AJ, while Kath Castillo played Ester's former maid Sarah. Jay Gonzaga played both Erica's chiseled beau Jake, as well as Bessie's violent hot-head Brigs. Divine Aucina played Jake's mother Mrs. Baylon and the wife of San Ildefonso's mayor. Aldo Vencilao played Lucas's writing mentor Pio, as well as Sandra's and Sarah's husbands.

This play was adapted by playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc from a 2008 best-selling book by National Artist Ricky Lee. Deldoc's process of stage adaptation started in 2011 and he would continue to evolve it every time it was restaged, including this present updated one. Deldoc was able to distill all the six chapters of the book to essentials, with some difficult topics and hints of politics. Director Yong Tapang, Jr. weaved it into a most entertaining whole, even if this current iteration of the play runs for a hefty 2-1/2 hours, with a 10-minute intermission.

The active interaction between a male author and his female characters (including his muse) is a very interesting premise. The women want agency over their own stories. They did not want an open ending that made their fates uncertain. They can even interrupt the writer during the time that he was still telling their stories. 

This meta approach gives us a hint on how Ricky Lee worked as a writer, metaphorically allowing his characters to critique how he wrote about them. Deldoc's script and Tapang's vision truly made this stage version very engaging to watch.  

"Para Kay B" is a production by the LA Production House and Fire & Ice Live. It runs until March 30, 2025 at the Doreen Black Box Theater of the Arete in the Ateneo de Manila University.

This review was originally published in the author's blog, “Fred Said.”

(LINK ON ‘Fred Said’ : https://3xhcch.blogspot.com/2025/03/review-of-para-kay-b-writers-ways.html)