Ang Huling El Bimbo: Everyone must know Joy

 By: William Jr Galleros

Ang Huling El Bimbo was known as the most iconic music in the ’90s from the band Eraserheads. In 2018, Ang Huling El Bimbo Musical was premiered, directed by Dexter Santos, and was featured again in 2019. The story has two timelines: the present and 20 years erstwhile. The three college students, Emman, Hector, and Anthony who had a significant closure with Joy. She sells food with her aunt. When time passed, she undergoes a lot of problems after their store was taken from them, she engage with prostitution, and drug-related, and she end up being killed. The 3 college students who are now professionals regret because before Joy died, she called them to meet her daughter “Ligaya” While watching the musical, I cried so many times - everything was amazing and perfect. With that, I truly believe that it has the potential to be considered as world literature.  

The musical has the ability to intersect or to cross-culture, race, sex, and even socio-political problems. Even if the setting is in the Philippines, the problems that are presented in “Ang Huling El Bimbo” are not exclusive like there are high rape and sexual harassment cases in  India; drug problems in Mexico, activism in Myanmar, and nepotism which exist in politics around the world. This means that people around the world can relate to the musical – once they feel that intersectionality exist, they feel the urgency and sympathy because it is being experienced by other people outside especially women who are similar to Joy.

The musical is aesthetically appealing. In terms of the stage, the props and backdrops are aligned to our culture like the sari-sari store. The facial expression and the portrayal of the characters are also aesthetically pleasing. They show exactly how people react. When I witnessed the struggles of Joy, I felt sad and angry. The musical convey the real picture of society, especially the natural human reactions. The aesthetic gives us more connections towards the play.

The “Ang Huling El Bimbo” challenges our understanding of the status quo - the plot and its conflicts make you question why this is happening in the first place? Like what pushes Joy to do drug-related activities and why the poor are always the victim.  After questioning, it leads us to become emotional. The emotional power it holds is significantly important. The musical holds a lot of meaning. Watching them play, we will see symbols such as abuse of power, patriarchy, economic struggles, friendship, and love.

The play has its timelessness factor. Knowing that the play has addressed the problem that exists for many years and until now it is still unsolved. This implies that we will continuously relate to the musical. Assuming that the problem will be solved, “Ang Huling El Bimbo” will still remain its timelessness because we always will remember the time of the oppression; we never forget.

The style of Ang Huling El Bimbo is fantastic. It's like riding a roller coaster because there are times that you will be happily entertained then in a couple of minutes you will be extremely sad. Even if it's like a roller coaster, the structure, outcome, and songs are memorable. It touches our hearts and minds. Considering that the play follows two timelines which is hard to initiate.

 I can say that the play inspired me in many different ways. I am more motivated now to fight what is right and that is to fight oppressive structures. Joy was killed not only by Arturo Banlaoi but also by the system itself. She was coerced to engage in prostitution and drugs because she does not have much choice – Arturo made her do it. No one deserves to experience those things especially Joy who just wants to be happy. The world should know the life of Joy.