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College Theatre Tackles Gay Love
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Blue Repertory features Amos Francia and Bibo Reyes in an interesting musical stage play, “Bare.”
Amos Francia, a senior Communication major from Ateneo, has long been involved in theatre since his grade school days in Ateneo Children’s Theatre. He was also part of numerous Tanghalang Ateneo plays such as Nasaan Si Kaliwete, Middle Finger Po, and Litisang Bilog ng Caucasus. This year, Amos delves into musical thatre as he officially became a part of Blue Repertory.
Alfredo Reyes or Bibo is a freshman at the Ateneo, taking up Management Engineering. He has never been a stranger to performing, spending his high school days fronting bands. Now, he has ventured onto another platform that lets him share and develop his talents: the stage. He’s found a new calling in musical theater and has hopes of continually exploring his identity as a performer.
Bibo and Amos star in Blue Rep’s Bare:
BARE is a coming-of-age love story that truly resonates to each and everyone of us. It tells the intriguing yet moving love story of roommates Peter and Jason as they are about to graduate from a Catholic, boarding school.
Short synopsis: Jason, the senior class’ golden boy is hiding a big secret: He is in a romance with the shy Peter. If his secret is found out, Jason fears his entire world will crumble. Things get messy. Peter wants to drop the facade. Popular girl Ivy pursues Jason. Problems spiral out of control. The graduating seniors of St. Cecilia’s realize that life is indeed complicated and they find themselves in a world with more questions than answers.
Bare is directed by Ana Abad Santos, and we will open on February 17, 2009 at the Fine Arts Exhibit Hall, 3/F Gonzaga Hall, Ateneo de Manila University.
Shows run from February 17-21, 24-28, 8pm (Tues-Sat).
You may reserve your tickets now. For tickets and other inquiries, call or text Alexa Yupangco @ 0917 722 0805.
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I didn’t know that a conservative school live Ateneo could mount a play like this.
indielover at Feb 10, 09 at 9:17 am
sooo fresh… so new….
o inday… di mo carry yan, inglisan jan…
cast at Feb 10, 09 at 10:36 am
ooooh i loooove the pic where they kissed! kileeeeeg… hehehehhee
magman at Feb 10, 09 at 11:30 am
hmmmmmmmmmmm….very familiar ang story sa totoong buhay!
“cliche?”
Little Fish at Feb 10, 09 at 12:57 pm
atually, I think Ateneo had mounted a number of provocative theater productions in the past. But why “Bare” this time?
mwahaha at Feb 10, 09 at 2:52 pm
Actually, it might be a surprise to many, but Ateneo is probably one of the most liberal colleges in the Philippines. Back when I was in college there were a number of openly gay teachers (gay activist Danton Remoto comes to mind) and openly gay students were active in many organizations. We had gay plays even back then (about 12 years ago) where 2 of my classmates had to do a steamy love scene. Last I heard, cross dressing is now acceptable and there’s actually a group called the Doll House where the campus queens hang out. It’s not just the rules mind you but even the students and the “culture”. You must remember that Ateneo is a Jesuit institution and they value diversity, openess, discourse and respect. Ultimately the school, faculty or students would rarely censor stuff.
Sapientia at Feb 10, 09 at 3:00 pm
Hay….hindi ganyan sa La Salle…daming paminta…buo man o durog!
Bebeng Ganda at Feb 10, 09 at 3:29 pm
marami na sigurong pahada sa ateneo and lasalle noh?
ming at Feb 10, 09 at 4:47 pm
matagal nang maraming pahada sa Ateneo at La Salle.
Ed at Feb 10, 09 at 6:32 pm
The college admin before was a little stricter and prone to “censorship”, but I think there has been a change of guards, and the new ones aren’t as prudish.
McVie at Feb 10, 09 at 7:15 pm
ang cute ng kissing photos!!! and Amos is just…. mmmmmmmmmm….
The plot sounds a bit like “Get Real” that UK film from 1998…
wonder what gibbs thinks of this though…
Oliver at Feb 10, 09 at 11:28 pm
Guys, ATENEO is not conservative. The Jesuits are more liberal compared to other fraternites… review your church history please…
whew at Feb 10, 09 at 11:46 pm
amos seemed familiar to me when i first saw him. later, i realized who he is. kung chatter kayo, kilala n’yo rin siya. di lang mga pics meron, vid pa. hehehe.
cmx at Feb 11, 09 at 12:35 am
Wow all this time I thought conservative ang mga taga Ateneo, naalala ko kasi yung interview ni Chris Tiu eh, di daw siya nanunood ng porn kasi nandidiri siya.
Luolan at Feb 11, 09 at 12:47 am
Chika lang yon ni Chris Tiu…maniwala naman ako sa kanya… keme…hehehe!
jed at Feb 11, 09 at 11:45 am
That’s because Opus Dei si Chris Tiu. Ibang ’strand’ ng Catholicism iyon (as far as I know)….mga conservative.
Bebeng Ganda at Feb 11, 09 at 12:19 pm
You got that right. Jesuits are far from “conservative” and the Ateneo is Jesuit. I’d pick them over any Christian order anytime.
Pronghorn at Feb 11, 09 at 12:22 pm
Hmm…what do you mean?
La Salle is known to be more (unnecessarily) conservative but I remember having guys kiss in plays when I was in college.
Pronghorn at Feb 11, 09 at 12:24 pm
cmon guys… TIU is TIU… don’t think that all people from ADMU thinks like him…. we have different personalities right..?? different perceptions and views, so Chris Tiu doesn’t like it, so be it. BARE is not porn anyway and besides.. as what I have said, JESUITS are more liberal compared to other religious fraternities… alright..????
whew at Feb 11, 09 at 4:42 pm
he was really young dun sa video. meron ako dati nun, nag crash lang ang hard drive ko. hehehe… i once saw him din sa Government.
lostinnocense at Feb 11, 09 at 6:01 pm
maniwala kay chris! paepek lang yon. mapanuod nga!
rodier at Feb 11, 09 at 6:40 pm
sorry, parang nabasa at napanood ko na ang mga ganyang plot.
recardi at Feb 11, 09 at 10:43 pm
I must say the that the Ateneo is not conservative after being there for 8 years. The Jesuits are, yes, liberal thinkers!
Marky Mark at Feb 11, 09 at 11:28 pm
There are alot of new plays and movies that are coming out about gay highschool romance this one does sound alot like “Get Real” which was quite a moving movie out.com just did an article on a queer reinvention of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” which also takes place in a high school the way I look at it is at least these movies are coming out more frequently it shows that tolerance is starting to become more becoming
Xolovebeingxo at Feb 12, 09 at 6:40 am
excuse me matinong school ang ateneo compared sa la salle… hahahahaha… mas tahimik ang buhay namin dun at saka mas may sense kaming kausap…. hahahahahaha…
juan antonio miguel at Feb 12, 09 at 8:52 am
sabagay…pero minsan wala rin namang nagagawa ang religion sa kung ano ka talaga…hehehe
jed at Feb 12, 09 at 11:30 am
korek ka jan ate!
jed at Feb 12, 09 at 11:32 am
hmmm. sa ateneo very liberal infairness pero sa UST asa. hahaha. the Dominican friars are so conservative sa mga ganyang bagay..haha…
jonniee at Feb 12, 09 at 12:08 pm
Oh my god! So this is what Amos has been busy with! Kudos Amos!!!! We’re watching this TWICE!!!! Or even lots a times!!!
Alfie at Feb 12, 09 at 9:23 pm
Watch BARE’s teaser!! super nicee!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQoxsZIqKaw
peter at Feb 13, 09 at 1:36 am
haha. yes, please, watch it as much as you want. btw, if i’m not mistaken, this is gonna be the 1st gay musical in ateneo. and by “gay” i mean, its mainly about homosexuality. And while, it may not seem like a new plot, of course the sensibilities with which the story is delivered are totally different because its a musical
we definitely hope to see you all at our show. 
thanks!
Amos at Feb 13, 09 at 2:19 am
nye, parang kinuha sa SPRING AWAKENING musical!
taylo at Feb 14, 09 at 1:44 am
Impossible.
Nauna pong ma-stage ang Bare sa LA noong year 2000.
Six years later pa ang Spring Awakening.
Will at Feb 14, 09 at 12:00 pm
yay!!! I’m a bluerepper!! watch BARE!!!!
Carlo at Feb 15, 09 at 12:18 am
pero SPRING AWAKENING has been written way before.
taylo at Feb 15, 09 at 9:17 am
I find it funny how Bare is always compared with Spring Awakening by taking into consideration only the synopsis. Bare and SA are only similar because both plays are set in a school.
In SA, the issue is all about the uncertainty adolescents encounter as they grow up. In Bare, however, there is no issue regarding this uncertainty. The characters have already realized themselves and are ready to tackle the world after they graduate from their school. To make it simpler, Spring Awakening is liberation versus adulthood. Bare is homosexuality versus the church.
aya at Feb 15, 09 at 9:17 pm
well actually, in BARE, there is also an issue of liberation versus adulthood. and even in SA, the issue of homosexuality is also touched on. so the real difference is, BARE focuses more on the problematic of homosexuality. It poses this problem against the backdrop of an already confusing time for young adults, which just highlights how even harder it may become for people who are not so accepted in society to realize their true worth, and face real challenges. Bare IS similar to Spring Awakening, in the same way that Elie Wiesel’s “Night” is similar to Anne Frank’s “The Diary of A Young girl”. These 2 novels are about the holocaust but take on different perspectives, and stress different but essentially humane internal tribulations.
So I don’t think the similarities between Bare and SA should downplay the staggering contribution Bare can make in the community. In fact, their similarities assure those like me that the production we are mounting is indeed a call of the times. A play that indeed captures the zeitgest. Besides, SA is still showin in September this year, so we all have enough time (and money) to watch both these great productions.
I hope no one misses the lessons and joys one can get from this “bare” experience of theatre. Let us settle our questions and trivializations by going to ADMU starting Feb. 17.
See you at the theatre! 
-Amos F.
Amos at Feb 16, 09 at 1:09 am
Panahon na para yung mga ganitong palabas ay ipinapakita dito sa Ateneo!
Ayaw kasi nila mag-stage ulit ng Vagina Monologues eh
Caveat Lector at Feb 17, 09 at 11:47 pm
Hey I’ll be watching this today, Wednesday. I’ll tell you how it is once I’ve seen it.
jamasona at Feb 18, 09 at 1:22 am
………………….. nakita ko na yung play …………….. hanggang ngyon im still thinking of jason(amos) ……………………
peterj at Feb 18, 09 at 1:54 am
Watched this with my boyfriend last night. We found the first parts quite dragging, pero bawing bawi pagdating sa middle hanggang ending. I was nearly in tears during the last parts of the play. It was so moving. Superb and powerful acting by the two lead actors! Great rendition of songs, too. Favorite din namin yung gumanap sa role ng madre–benta siya, sobra! Haha
Congrats to Blue Rep for coming up with this!
Red at Feb 18, 09 at 9:28 am
can i see khit photos????
peterj at Feb 18, 09 at 8:40 pm
AS PROMISED!
Story – High School Musical meets RENT meets Sister Act. I couldn’t think of anything more to add.
Performance – The vocals are insanely good. The acting too. Kilig, sobra.
Watch it. Makakarelate kayo, especially those that are young and still closeted.
jamasona at Feb 20, 09 at 12:09 am
i actually saw this already in ateneo. i was one of the few people who watched during the first runs.. and i loved it so much, i watched it again two times after.. and i invited a few more friends. the story is very real and very touching.. you can’t help but feel sad for them at some parts because they have to hide their love.. on the other hand, when they’re alone, you also can’t help but feel envious of what they have.. because no matter how their relationship is frowned upon, it’s the kind of love that is the pure and most real.. but somehow the story is elevated thru a series of twists that leave you in awe and shock. and as the play draws to an end, you’re left wanting for more.. and it stays with you long after the end of the play. the music is to die for, and the story real and raw as hell. i highly recommend that you guys watch this. it runs until next week, if i am not mistaken.
fillmein at Feb 23, 09 at 7:06 pm
Bibo did great in almost all scenes and Cassie is just my favorite. Peter’s and Nadia’s characters totally made their mark on me. I hope you guys can watch Peter sing “Best Kept Secret.” I forgot that Bibo was new to theater when I heard him sing. So…Peter (and I think I’m in love. hehe) Then, my favorite Nadia and her acidic but still hilarious character. The character just spoke what almost everyone longs for – to be someone important regardless of your big size. Go Cassie! I just hope that I get to watch more of Bibo’s and Cassie’s shows. I hope they get their dream roles soon.
Cris at Feb 23, 09 at 11:03 pm
haaay guys..enough of with. UP is the most liberal school in this part of the planet. and cmon..everyone knows that!
maroon_guy at Feb 27, 09 at 5:46 pm
Ka Isko naman! Drop it! It doesn’t matter which school you graduated from. Being liberal is beyond that.
Cris at Feb 27, 09 at 11:22 pm
I agree! “Best Kept Secret” has been playing in my head for quite some time now. Hehe, I saw the play last Feb 21…hanggang ngayon kinakanta ko pa yung song! Then, for some reason, Jason’s part is stuck in my head…
“I know this world can have a place for us
If we just try to find a way to trust that time will be kind
In a fantasy I dream, awake, but reality is give and take
You take what you can, you give time a chance
We have to wait until the world is fast asleep
I’ll wipe away your doubt
Show you why we keep
The best kept secret
The best kept secret…of all”
He’s too ironic that his character bothers me! He didn’t want the world to know about his “love” (if you call that love) for Peter, but here, he sings like some Romeo for Peter. Peter was not the fool, I realized, but Jason! Peste talaga.
Cris at Feb 27, 09 at 11:41 pm
saw Bare a while ago. it’s good. na ka relate me. i like the nun hehehe. though i don’t feel the acting/singing of jason. maybe because i can relate more to peter.
harry potter at Feb 28, 09 at 12:39 am
si amos nga aka amos mckoi/sweet mckoi
he’s in ateneo pala
wonder if meron pa siyang other vids
meron ako nung bata pa siya, and some pics
yun ang totoot BARE, hihi
dale at Feb 28, 09 at 1:41 am
im sorry. haha. i know it’s on the individual. but im speaking in general terms..i mean if we put juxtapose the levels of liberalism of UP, ADMU, DLSU, it is of no contest that ours is the most open. but as you have said, it all boils down to the individual..=)
nonetheless, im happy that they get to have these kind of plays in ateneo. and pumayag si fr. nebres! haha..
maroon_guy at Feb 28, 09 at 2:44 am
Dear fellow Isko, if you didn’t go to Ateneo or La Salle for college then, please hush up. COMPARING this and that university when you have no first hand knowledge about it smacks of bias and ignorance.
Saying that UP and UPians are the most liberal and open minded of all schools and then making very narrow and ungrounded statements about other schools makes what you say very ironic.
Remember this is MGG not pinoyexchange.
Adrian at Feb 28, 09 at 10:18 am
Ako din!!! Peter deserved better than a “straight-acting coward.” Haha, batu-bato sa kalye, ang tamaan, sports lang
Cris at Feb 28, 09 at 10:40 pm
nice
pablo at Mar 1, 09 at 12:21 am
I’m a blueREPPER!!!
Watch BARE, everyone! : )
Runs until March 7 na lang!
woot at Mar 2, 09 at 1:07 pm
omg! i’m so excited that they decided to extend the run until saturday. my friends and i are going to watch it on thursday and i’m going to drag my gay uncle and watch it again on friday and saturday. my friends who have already seen this play keeps on saying that it’s simply superb so i can’t wait. <3 good jobby blue rep!
rosethorne at Mar 2, 09 at 9:54 pm
Hmmm.. I watched the show last thursday, Feb. 26. Though Amos is indeed gay, I would say yung portrayal niya of the straight-acting coward, Jason, was highly commendable. Kakaiba siya dun sa Jason sa youtube videos, na parang jock lang. I actually loved his confession scene with the priest, and his solo scene.. omy, nagoosebumps talga ako dun sa scene na yun. Btw, i watched it again last night, and the show is just PHENOMENAL. I saw sina robbie carmona, jr isaac, rajo laurel when we were goin down the stairs… so props talga to this show. ang layo na nang naabot ng musical theater sa Ateneo
G. at Mar 6, 09 at 8:25 am
hey i think dats great play good job guys
josh at Apr 16, 09 at 10:31 am
kudos to ateneo!! for them as a VERY CONSERVATIVE school would allow a gay play to be shown in their grounds…..congratss!!
shangz at Apr 18, 09 at 9:03 am
taba nya ha!
geraldine at May 10, 09 at 12:35 pm