LOS ANGELES – The recent all-Filipino cast productions of “The Vagina Monologues” (“TVM”) and “A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer” (“MMRP”) at the Aratani Theater in LA showed the depth of Pinoy acting talent in the US.

Even if we watched these thespians in benefit readings, not full productions, their emotive prowess and powerful delivery in the monologues left no room for doubt that these actors would excel in any setting.

There were lines that were intrinsically flamboyant, so the actors who had these standout pieces naturally gave the evening’s more memorable performances. But each one in the cast of these two shows – illuminating as much as it was entertaining for tackling such issues as women’s independence and empowerment, sexual assault and domestic violence – was outstanding.

Watching this impressive assembly of Fil-Am actors made us wish that mainstream American entertainment – theater, television and film – would tap more thespians of color and reflect the true diverse make-up of the US. These performers have racked up an array of credits, especially on stage, but they deserved bigger breaks.

“MMRP,” which came on first at 4 p.m., featured the following and their monologues: the always watchable Bernardo Bernardo, “True”; Dante Basco, “The Closet”; Dion Basco, “The Destruction Artist”; Sonny Sison, “Untitled”; and Fran de Leon, “I Can’t Wait.”

Esperanza Catubig moved the audience with “Hands in Protest,” which was written by a woman who lost both arms during the war in Iran. Also compelling was Minerva Vier in her reading of two poems, Maya Angelou’s “Woman Work” and “The Massacre.”

Leslie Lewis Sword was quietly forceful in asking for “Respect” for the black woman and her place in history. (This talented daughter of industrialist and philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis told us that she was bringing her acclaimed “Miracle in Rwanda” to the Philippines. Don’t miss it.)

Comic relief

Golda Inquito provided the serio-comic relief with “Maurice,” written by actress Kathy Najimy, about a girl’s unexpected night out with the hottest boy in school. Becca Godinez ended the show on a high note with her bold, highly amusing reading of Eve Ensler’s “The Fur is Back.”

Speaking of unexpected, it has been a long time since Becca took to the theater stage, so she surprised and reminded us that she does act well. She went to town with this piece. She brought the house down so here’s wishing that Becca does more theater work from hereon.

We returned at 7:30 p.m. for “TVM” which had an equally fine cast that included Antoinette Taus, Edelyn Aubrey, and Melody Butiu.

Giselle Tongi had a show-stopping material, “The Angry Vagina,” and, like Becca, ran away with it, delighting the audience. Giselle made the piece her own, adding a Pinoy accent and Tagalog words in parts for that extra humorous punch, and injecting her own experience as a woman who gave birth to two babies for a finish that was touching and funny at the same time.

Community leader and rights advocate Prosy de la Cruz made her memorable stage debut with “Ang Aking Baha,” the only monologue in Tagalog. She was the night’s brilliant discovery as she delivered her monologue’s bittersweet recollection (culled from interviews with elderly women) of sexual awakening, giggling infatuation with actor Romeo Vasquez and a health crisis in later life.

Also making a noteworthy, confident “TVM” debut was popular “Kababayan LA” TV show host Jannelle So who titillated with “Because He Liked To Look At It.”

With her nuanced and heartfelt reading of “The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could” (the best title in the bunch), Alison de la Cruz took us on a journey of a girl’s sexual abuse and identity discovery that, like most pieces in these two shows, was tragic-comic in tone.
Both Leslie and Esperanza returned to the stage in “TVM.”

Leslie was again effective in “My Vagina Was My Village,” dedicated to and written about the surviving women of the war cruelties in Bosnia and Kosovo.

A sensual, comic counterpoint was Esperanza’s “The Woman Who Loved To Make Vaginas Happy.” You have to hear her deliver different kinds of sexual moaning by women, which kept the audience in stitches.

Also in both shows was Eleanor Academia, the featured musical guest artist. “American Idol” finalist Camile Velasco performed a song at the start of “MMRP.”

Last minute substitute

Bravo to actress Tatyana Ali who stepped in at the last minute for Nia Peeples, who had to back out due to a family emergency. With virtually scant time to rehearse, Tatyana, who was dubbed an “honorary Filipina,” electrified the audience into a hush with “Say It,” a plea for an official apology from the Japanese government to “comfort women.”

“TVM” ended on a sobering note with a spotlight piece and a stirring poem, “Baptized,” on the atrocities committed against girls and women in Congo. Tamlyn Tomita (whose mother is part Filipina) passionately read these finale pieces, written by Eve herself who started this award-winning “TVM” series.

Congratulations to director Jon Lawrence Rivera and producer Ted Benito for this fine showcase of Filipino actors.

E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/ nepalesreport.