MANILA -- When Monique Wilson explained why she accepted playing Apolinario Mabini in the ongoing steampunk musical "Mabining Mandirigma" by Tanghalang Pilipino at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, she noted how theater could also be some kind of a revolution.

'It's very revolutionary, I think [theater is] very profoundly transformative," Wilson said.

The last time this writer talked to her, she was playing the titular role in "My Name Is Rachel Corrie," a play about a 23-year old American activist shot by an Israeli soldier. And that was nine years ago.

She used to be based in London and became global director for One Billion Rising, a worldwide campaign founded by her friend, the playwright Eve Ensler of "Vagina Monologues," to end rape and sexual violence against women. Founded on V-Day in 2012 by Ensler, the "billion" came from statistical data by the United Nations saying one in every three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, or about one billion women.

It has taken most of Wilson's time, going around the world to organize women and fight injustice, misogyny and other issues that have become familiar in recent years in the Philippines.

Wilson came back to Manila in 2017 after living in London for a total of 14 years.

There have been re-stagings of "Vagina Monologues" since then but only now did Wilson return to acting full time in a play that is part of a regular season of a major theater group.

Written by Nicanor Tiongson and directed by Chris Millado, "Mabining Mandirigma" is about Mabini, one of our founding fathers whose life needs to be retold to the present generation, outside the classrooms and social media.

We know Wilson as someone most comfortable in doing plays in English. She grew up with and was honed in Repertory Philippines before she founded New Voice Company. With NVC, we still remember its landmark productions like the Tony-winning "Cabaret" and David Mamet's "Oleanna."

So despite all the existing established theater groups and their productions that may have similar convictions as hers, why did she choose TP's "Mabining Mandirigma"?

"You could not say 'no' na to a show like this. Eto na 'yung moment na kaming mga artist-activist naghahanap na kami always na may kabuluhan 'yung artistic endeavor, napakalaking energy ang nako-consume namin, you have to say 'no' to so many things," she said.

"Lahat ng puso at kaluluwa mo in your body and your being invested 'yan sa musical, so kung hindi siya nakaka-transform ng tao, hindi siya revolutionary, ayaw ko na gawin," she added, followed by a giggle.

"Di ba? Parang nawawalan ako ng gana. Siyempre, it has to be something that can lend to social transformation and very few opportunities come like 'Mabining Mandirigma' na very timely siya kahit historical siya, very issue-based, [like] fighting for independence, our sovereignty," Wilson said.

Same cycle

"Eto 'yung ginagawa natin ngayon sa 2019, and yet eto 'yung ginagawa nina Mabini all those times [many years] ago. Tapos 'yung struggle, 'yung personal at national struggle of ano ba talaga 'yung reflection natin as a nation, as a Filipino?

"Bakit nga tayo nag-iisip na Amerikano or colonial, hindi natin namamalayan minsan na our way of thinking is not pro-Filipino. It's very colonial, kasi we were enslaved and colonized hundreds of years by Spain and America, so kailangan ibahin din natin 'yung ugali natin," she added.

From this, she sees theater as a way for instrospection at a time when forgetfulness has become a norm. Wilson has been very vocal about her stand against historical revisionism, the return of the Marcoses and dictatorial rule.

"And I think theater nakakabigay sa atin ng mga opportunity and path, na mag-reflect din. At the same time maka-contribute sa larger cause, kasi sinasabi ko lahat sa mga artist-friends ko, meron tayong mga roles to play sa national stage kahit hindi tayo politicians," she said.

"Kasi art is the one that can elevate people's consciousness to the imaginative. Kailangan natin ma-imagine 'yung kinabukasan na pinaglalaban natin. Kung hindi natin ma-imagine 'yun, hindi natin maipapaglaban 'yun," she added.

Art and activism

She's been busy with One Billion Rising and despite being based in Manila, she still has engagements in many countries. When she accepted the role of Mabini, she took a break from being global director, allotting about two months just for TP, which entailed about five weeks in rehearsals and three weeks for the actual run.

It was TP artistic director Fernando "Tata Nanding" Josef who invited her since she returned from London. But way, way back, about 25 years ago, they've worked together in TP when she played Maria Clara in "Noli Me Tangere." She recalled she had difficulty saying her lines in Filipino but there was a major realization in her as an artist.

"Matagal ko na friend si Tata Nanding. We were together in 'Noli' in 1995. 'Yun 'yung unang musical na ginagawa ko coming from Repertory. Nag-tour pa kami ng Japan. After 10 years in Repertory, I acted for Tanghalan. Ngayon mas sanay na ako sa language. Nakagawa na ako ng mga Filipino movies and teleplays. Hindi na bulol," she said, laughing. Wilson also credited her recent exposure to the grassroots level, being an active member of Gabriela.

"So when this opportunity came again, I said yes na. Kasi, matagal ko na ring gustong gawin din. And one-and-a-half-years na rin sinabi ni Tata Nanding, hindi ka na pwede mag-'no'. And this year is also the 50th anniversary ng CCP, which makes this more memorable. Kasi nga last ko was Maria Clara, 25 years ago, which was also very life-changing for me.

"Iba 'yung mga lyrics na kinakanta mo, napaka-Filipino ang ugat. Iba 'yun pag kinakanta mo mga Broadway musicals, you feel more separate. 'Yung ganito, nasa core ng puso mo."

At the CCP's Little Theater ongoing until September 1, Wilson is the artist and activist showing the audience what transformative theater is all about, a real revolutionary playing a warrior hero.