Every year for the past 15 years, Cebuanos celebrate women empowerment by uttering the word vagina on stage in front of hundreds of people, as a protest against violence towards women and girls.
This year, over 30 women will lend to their voices to the marginalized, abused, and exploited in a benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues, on Sunday, February 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Ballroom of the Radisson Blu Cebu.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Elaine Bathan, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Candice Hintz, Regal Oliva, Anya Lim, Ching Pelayo-Dacua, and Laurie Boquiren (Photography: Candice Hintz)
With humor and grace that celebrates women’s sexuality and strength, the award-winning play is based on V-Day founder and playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 100 women.
Here are the reasons you should watch The Vagina Monologues at least once:
It’s for a good cause
Maxi Bolongaita, Charlene Virlouvet, Cheryl David-Ibay, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Jet Cantal-Bacaltos, Jo-Ann Zaldumbide, and Patty Taboada (Photography: Candice Hintz)
V-Day Cebu and its current campaign ONE BILLION RISING: REVOLUTION is just one of the thousands of benefits held around the globe to raise funds and awareness toward the empowerment of women. Through the performances of The Vagina Monologues, these events help spread the message of equality, dignity, and freedom for all.
V-Day Cebu’s beneficiary is Bidlisiw Foundation Inc., a Filipino-managed NGO focused on helping the urban poor families, particularly the informal settlers in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay. Proceeds of the show go a long way in providing access, opportunities, and hope for the marginalized women and children, families, and the communities in Cebu.
It stars people you know
Shifrah Enclona, Ivy Gallur, Margo Frasco, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Maki Gingoyon, and Chiqui Canete (Photography: Candice Hintz)
Produced in Cebu by 2TinCans Philippines, The Vagina Monologues doesn’t just feature theater actresses, although some of them are well-known in the industry. The performers are women coming from various industries such as law, government, media, medicine, dining, furniture, music, photography, fashion, and more.
This year’s show, directed by Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, stars Aleah Alerre Lim, Anya Lim, April Rama, Bea Alfar Evardone, Brazzy Valdez, Candice Hintz, Charlene Virlouvet, Cheryl David-Ibay, Ching Pelayo-Dacua, Chiqui Cañete, Christina Santos, Daryl Bihag, Dianne Rallon, Elaine Bathan, Eyre Hyamze, Gembelyne Icamen, Gingging Navarro-Laude, Ivy Gallur, Jean Altavas, Jessica Ouano, Jet Cantal-Bacaltos, Joan Saniel-Amit, Jo-Ann Abesamis Zaldumbide, Laurie Boquiren, Lourdes May Maglinte, Margo Frasco, Marini Esguerra, Maki Gingoyon, Maxi Bolongaita, Pami Estalilla, Regal Oliva, Shiella Pestano Gemperoa, Shifrah Bouchikhi-Enclona, and Stephanie Tiro-Sitoy.
Shifrah, the daughter of director Sarah, is the youngest ever vagina warrior at 11 years old, taking the title from theater actress Charlene, who first performed on the show years ago at the age of 13. Zee Lifestyle‘s features editor Patty Taboada and creative director Ehds Javier will also be performing on the one-night-only show.
It’s not just for women
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Christina Santos, Lourdes May Maglinte, Aleah Lim, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Shiella Gemperoa, and Gembelyne Icamen (Photography: Candice Hintz)
According to Enclona-Henderson, the audience for The Vagina Monologues has grown over the years, with the audiences for the shows in recent years showing that 40% of them are actually men.
For the first time in Cebu, V-Day is making a special feature on the men who have been supportive of the global campaign. Fathers, brothers, sons, boyfriends, and friends were brought in and were enthusiastic in showing solidarity with the ladies and the V-Day movement. This is set to be one of the highlights of the show on Sunday.
It will make you laugh and cry
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Marini Esguerra, Brazzy Valdez, Ehds Javier, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, Pami Estalilla, Eyre Hyamze, Daryl Bihag, and Stephanie Sitoy (Photography: Candice Hintz)
Playwright Eve Ensler has gone around the world interviewing over 200 women about their experiences. You would be amazed at the answers, from a six-year-old girl to single women, married women, sex workers, corporate professionals, transgender women, lesbians, and old ladies. Some are hilarious, some are downright depressing… it’s a roller coaster of a show, one that you will enjoy while at the same time you can do your share to help end violence against women and girls.
Tickets are priced at Php 650, Php 1,000, and Php 1,500, and are available at YogaHub, ANTHILL, Isidra Comfort Cantina, and Handuraw Pizza in Gorordo and White Gold. For online purchases, email plays@2tincans.ph or click here. You may also call 2TinCans at +63 32 512 3134 and +63 933 188 0999, and check them out on Facebook
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Guests were pampered with beauty treatments from La Mer and MAC throughout the afternoon, until they had to dress up for cocktail hour. A five-course degustation by Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa executive chef Frank Bohdan and a raffle of exciting prizes including round trip tickets to the Maldives with a stay at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa preceded the main event of the evening—an exclusive fashion show featuring the A/W 2018 collection of Miranda Konstantinidou. Free flowing champagne, caviar and cheese kept the party going until the early hours of the morning.
The Zee Lifestyle Emerald Ball is presented by Arthaland, in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz Cebu, Rustan’s and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu. Special thanks go out to Dedon Island, La Mer, MAC, and Jo Malone London.
photography Oliver Echevarria and Ezekiel Sullano
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Shaira Kaye Berame, Christina Santos, Yumny Mariot and Pia Danica Tenchavez (Photography by Toni Marie Despojo/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2016)
SHAIRA KAYE BERAME
Writer at ZeroThreeTwo
Intelligence is really attractive because even if he looks like Chris Evans but he doesn’t know anything about the current events, how would he be with you? It is important to know something about the world.
(Photography by Toni Marie Despojo/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2016)
On no-labels relationships?
“I think right from the very start you should be clear on your goals, personal goals, and where do you see yourself because that’ll be the hindrance with the progress of the relationship. It’s not like I’m demanding to be in a relationship by next week, but it’s good to know where I stand.”
CHRISTINA SANTOS
Law student and theater arts performer
Even if the world has turned around and men and women are equal, we still want to have the best of both worlds. We still want to be pampered and at the same time, focus on our careers.
(Photography by Toni Marie Despojo/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2016)
On juggling relationships and careers?
“Girls will always find and have time for both relationships and careers because we are multitaskers. There is no problem for girls to actually be in relationships and at the same time, progress in their careers and be successful.”
YUMNY MARIOT
Social media manager at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
I don’t believe in age. I can date a 20-year-old or someone 20 years older than me as long as there is chemistry.
(Photography by Toni Marie Despojo/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2016)
The one who likes you, or the one you like?
“I want reciprocation. I cannot want someone who doesn’t want me back. Reciprocity is the key”
PIA DANICA TENCHAVEZ
Executive assistant to the regional vice-president at Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Region VII
Dear guys who are planning on dating women, especially women who have work: Please don’t date her if you don’t have money in your pockets! If you can’t provide for us then just don’t.
(Photography by Toni Marie Despojo/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2016)
Is it important to care less?
“In love, you shouldn’t settle, there should be no rules. It really doesn’t matter who cares less or more.”
GIRL TALK
(Photography by Toni Marie Despojo/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2016)
What they think about:
The man bun?
I think it is really, really hot especially on Kit Harington!” – Pia
Guys who wear BB cream?
As long as he takes it off before going to bed with me, I think that’s fine.” – Yumny
Guys who carry girls’ purses?
If it’s heavy, yes, please carry it but if it just a tiny purse, no!” – Christina
Guys who wear pink?
Real men wear pink.” – Shaira
Dating someone really hot?
One word: mine.” – Yumny
Dating someone younger than you?
I wouldn’t date someone ten years younger than I am. What, I’m going to pay for his baon?” – Pia
An ideal first date?
Breakfast. If it turns out well, we could go on to having coffee, then lunch, then merienda and then dinner. If it turns out bad then just go home, sleep and forget about it.” – Christina
Size?
Performance definitely matters the most, but when choosing between Incredible Hulk and Ant-Man, would you choose Ant-Man?” – Shaira
Read more on Zee Lifestyle’s July 2016 Men’s Issue. For back issues, subscribe via Magzter.
sittings editor Patty Taboada photography Toni Marie Despojo makeup Janice Barillo and Raisa Bercede hair Cris Villarta Canoy and Shyra Qyumbi styling Blaq Mafia production assistant Cloise Mae Abordo clothes Forever 21 locale Wish Cebu
Zee Lifestyle’s July 2016 Men’s Issue: Mandani Bay (Photography by Jan Gonzales/grooming by Arnauld/model: Christopher Pfeffer of IM Agency/clothes by Yvonne Quisumbing and Filippo/styled by Clint Holton Potestas/shot on location at the Mandani Bay Showroom)
Helmed by editor-at-large Melo Esguerra, this month’s cover puts the spotlight on Mandani Bay. An exciting collaboration between Hongkong Land and Taft Properties, this visionary development is set to reinvent Cebu into a world-class lifestyle destination.
The Men’s Issue introduces key male players involved in Cebu’s various industries, from politics to fashion, music and nightlife. Tommy Osmeña and Luigi Quisumbing disclose their future plans for the cities of Cebu and Mandaue respectively, while the polarizing charm that catapulted Rodrigo Duterte into the highest position in the country is dissected. Meanwhile, LIV Superclub’s Kenneth Dong, Brian del Solo and Raymond Go; Morals & Malice’s Paco Rodriguez and Michael Yu, musicians John Bosque and Genes Tapales, and Elated Industries’ Michael Walls, Ralph Lapus, Carlos Canga and Don Frasco share their passion for what they do.
The Bachelorettes of 2016: Shaira Berame, Christina Santos, Yumny Mariot and Pia Tenchavez (Photography by Toni Marie Despojo/makeup by Raisa Bercede and Janice Barillo/hair by Shyra Qyumbi and Cris Villacorta/clothes from Forever 21/shot on location at Wish Cebu)
Alongside the dashing gentlemen are the beautiful and whip-smart ladies heralded as this year’s most eligible women in Cebu. Shaira Berame, Christina Santos, Yumny Mariot and Pia Tenchavez get together for happy hour and dish on relationships, men, and which political son they’d love to date.
Menswear also takes center stage, as this issue goes behind the scenes of the Michael Kors, Coach, Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger fashion shows in New York City.
Read all these and more on Zee Lifestyle’s Men’s Issue, out next month. Grab your copies at National Bookstore and Fully Booked. For subscriptions, click here or download Magzter on your mobile device.
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