Friday, October 03, 2008 Snapshots! By Dalsa Montalban Hizon
TETE-a-Tete with the MaArti Ladies: Fifty is The New Thirty! The moment visionary artist Andy Alviz told me about his plans to form a women's theater group called "Teatro Ima at Arti," fondly nicknamed "MaArti," I knew that it would be the next big thing to hit our cultural scene.
Composed entirely of 20 or so talented women aged 50 years old and above, "MaArti" is certainly not a mere capricious gathering of ladies who lunch, but a serious organization with a purpose.
Days before their much-applauded song sampler at the Holy Angel Theater during the ArtiSta Rita homecoming performance last Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be invited to one of their first workshop-rehearsals, and sit down to chat with a few of the ladies who form part of the group, in an informal and relaxed atmosphere.
The first things that I noticed were, one, the positive energy that absolutely filled the rehearsal hall, and two, that the ladies -- all of them grandmothers -- did not at all look like your traditional salt-and-pepper-haired, shawl-wrapped doble-vista-bespectacled "lola" who laboriously walks with the help of a cane.
I was captivated by 55-year-old Bondee Mercado-Dinio's striking countenance that can only be possessed by a woman who has achieved a certain level of maturity, confidence and inner peace, and the inspiring wisdom and eloquence of fashionable 66-year-old Marita Gonzales-Villanueva. Teng Mallari - Villaluna, 54, looked and moved every inch like a regal beauty queen, and bore some resemblance to the beautiful Charo Santos-Concio; while sisters Frieda Ocampo-Hizon, 56, and Rina Ocampo-Alarcon, 54, sizzled and popped with a contagious joie de vivre and endearing self-depreciating humor that kept the laughter and conversation going.
When asked what prompted them to join MaArti, they chimed in unison, "Andy!" They further explained, one after the other, that their founder-director's impressive and inspiring talent made them want to come out and make a difference in society by advocating for women empowerment, share their blessings and be of help to the less privileged.
"We want to prove that being 50 or older doesn't mean that we can't engage in fruitful activities and be productive members of society. There is no such thing as retirement!" declared the vivacious ladies.
It was amazing to witness them excitedly finish each other's sentences, which hinted at a newfound sisterhood, a bond among themselves which went deep beyond being mere co-actors in a theater play.
"We meet twice each week, and every workshop is worth our time, because of what we learn about the craft, and its significance in our lives. We appreciate the camaraderie, and the wonderful thing about this group is that there is no competition among us, and that we appreciate each other's talents," remarked one lady.
"Yes, and some of us accept na 'pang-chorus' lang kami," added another, to the delight and laughter of the others.
At this point, Andy joined in the conversation and when pointedly asked by everyone how the idea came about, he replied half in jest, "I love challenges," which elicited giggling among the ladies.
Explaining, he went on, "In my previous professional experience in Manila and abroad, everything was a given. Actors are professionally trained and everyone had an extensive background of some sort. This group is like a blank canvas; we are practically starting from scratch. Women in their 50s are at the height of their wisdom, artistry, beauty and emotion. I thought this untapped potential need to be acknowledged and released. But I got the shock of my life when I realized that these ladies could do impromptu interpretations...they've got talent!"
Many of them declare that joining MaArti has been life changing, and that they are totally committed to the organization, in terms of time and effort. "We have a fixed schedule of rehearsals, hindi pwede ang pasulpot-sulpot lang, to show that we are dead serious about wanting MaArti to grow as a theater group with a charity component to it," they asserted.
"We are so determined to improve on our craft, that a few of us even enrolled in voice development classes," admitted one of them.
So for two hours, I had a grand time watching the ladies animatedly sing, read scripts and dance under Andy's mentoring...while realizing that it must be wonderful to be a 50-year-old woman during these times, and that I too, will be like them in two decades' time. Technology has made it possible and safe to give birth at 40 these days. Noted writer Mary Wesley published her first novel at 70.
Self-taught artist Anna Mary Robertson started painting in her 70s as well. Who says anyone is too old to follow his heart? Each of the women has their own personal reasons for being part of the group, and their own stories to tell. It was a truly moving experience to see these women from various backgrounds band together for a common goal -- to reach out and serve as role models of empowerment, and to let us 30-something young mothers know that life after 50...definitely rocks!
(Save the date: December 12, Saturday, 7pm at the Holy Angel University for the red carpet maiden performance of Teatro Ima at Arti!)
