Filipina Soul

When I read this from Manila.Metblogs, I got super intrigued since I write about superheroes in another blog…

The Uber-Pinoy Superhero(ine) – Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah!

Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah (alter-ego Ada) is a graphic novel by Carlo Vergara, and adapted into a “muzikal” (musical) and “moveeh” (movie) last year. Word is, the play is back at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (no less!) this Jan 20, 26 and 27 . The beautiful Miss Eula Valdez plays Zsa Zsa, while handsome stage actor Tuxqs Rutaquio plays… Ada.

HUH? If you’re now confused, or don’t know what to make of it/him/her…

here’s a hilarious synopsis –

Zaturnnah, a powerful and voluptuous female with large red hair and a muscular physique, is reminiscent of the DC Comics character Wonder Woman and the classic Filipino superhero Darna. The distinct difference is the sex and sexuality of her alter ego Ada, who is an effeminate homosexual male (oh say!). The proprietor of a small town beauty salon, Ada receives a stone that, when ingested, physically transforms him into Zsazsa Zaturnnah.

When the graphic novel won a National Book Award in 2003, given out by the prestigious Manila Critics Circle, and landed on the 12th spot of top selling Philippine fiction books for 2005. It was later adapted into a stage musical by Tanghalang Pilipino, one of the country’s top theater companies. Even before the musical’s opening night, almost all tickets for the scheduled 16 shows had been booked, unprecedented in Tanghalang Pilipino’s experience with original stage material. The novel was further adapted as a moveeh in the 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival, but Toni of Manila.Metroblogs says the play had much more charm and humor. [Wikipedia; italics-mine]

So, Zsa Zsa fans, take heart but hurry up! She/he’s back this year at the CCP on a limited engagement from January 20, 26 and 27. Check out Manila.Metroblogs here for details of the “muzikal”.

Tags: Zsa Zsa Saturnnah, superhero, superheroine, muzikal, musical

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