How Ang Babae sa Septic Tank Is Making the Leap to Theater

A few weeks before opening night, Vogue Philippines attends a rehearsal of Ang Babae sa Septic Tank for a behind-the-curtain look at the cast and crew’s preparations.

Stepping into PETA while the Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4 cast prepares for rehearsals is nothing short of the saying, “life imitates art.” One might wonder, is this the real life? The chaotic energy we normally see on stage and on screen throughout the Ang Babae sa Septic Tank trilogy unfolded before me as the cast settled into their seats for their present rehearsal.

A few weeks before the opening gala of Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4 Theater Show, the cast had yet to fully mount the production. What began as an independent film in 2011 has since grown into a franchise that is now stepping into live performance, with the theater show set to open on June 19.Vogue Philippines sits down with the cast and production crew to discuss their roles, preparations, and thoughts as opening night approaches.

Meanne Espinosa and Stella Cañete-Mendoza, both veteran theater actresses, are all smiles and giggles when they introduce themselves. The first word that came up when they talked about the preparation was “chaotic.” Even their rehearsals felt like performances in themselves, which, in this case, helps the cast chemistry feel seamless. “I mean, the best way you can approach comedy is to have fun in the process. That’s also your way to discover what’s working, what’s not, what’s too much, and what’s not enough,” says Stella. Meanne agrees, as she believes that being comfortable with one another helps them improvise and throw their lines. “What’s beautiful about comedy is spontaneity. You ride on each other’s energy.”

The other side of the room begs to differ, though. When Andoy Ranay heard about this, he looked at Meanne and Stella, saying, “Ah siguro sila! Ako ‘di ako naglalaro [Maybe they are, but I’m not playing].” But if Chris Martinez, the trilogy’s screenwriter, had to point out anything, it’s that banter and cast chemistry stem from their decision to assemble a cast with both a connection to and experience working with their main lead, Eugene Domingo. “Well, they’re not just Eugene’s friends. They need to be active in the field.”

Building on this character chemistry, the adaptation is expected to retain the franchise’s overall atmosphere. “The elements that you love in Septic Tank 1, 2, and 3 are still here. The meta is still here,” Martinez adds. While the first film was recognized for its satirical take on the entertainment industry’s romanticization of poverty, that same bold approach remains in the adaptation. “Maybe because it’s PETA. I think PETA plays are very brave. So it’s an opportunity for us not only to talk about theater, but also about society.”

This is one aspect of the franchise that Eugene Domingo continues to hold on to. While she holds it very close to her heart, she recognizes the same formula that has been maintained since the first installment. “It showcases whatever is happening, to mirror whatever is popular, and to say something about it. So I will not pass up that opportunity.”

Despite the similarities, Eugene notes that the differences between the films and the adaptation make her feel at home more than ever. “This is really like my first love, and PETA is like a family. Para ka lang umuwi sa normal na environment [It feels like going back to a familiar environment],” she smiles. “You’re very relaxed and, at the same time, when you’re relaxed, it’s like you’re open to anything. And you’re not scared. It’s a very familiar environment, and humor is a major part of the production.”

Comedy is also the reason Marlon Rivera, the director of the three films, says the franchise remains relevant more than a decade after the release of the first film. “From a cultural perspective, we’re into comedy. Culturally and socially, we’re annotated. We heckle, we annotate, [and] we have a lot of comments.” But if he were to pinpoint why now is the best time for the theater adaptation to take place, the answer is simple: theater is in an upswing. “Theater is like the literary nerd kid before. He’s not popular. And then in the next five years, he’s now the darling. He’s the hot kid,” he laughs.

As for Rivera’s hopes for the franchise he has been taking care of for years, it’s for people to take away something far greater than the material itself, especially those who don’t go to the theater frequently. “It’s really different when it comes to theater. Nothing beats that kind of performance. Theater is a really unique human experience where there’s community, communal work, and immersion.”

Meanwhile, staring straight ahead with a conviction that leaves little room for doubt, Domingo says that what excites her most about taking on this project is reaching young people in the audience. “At this point kasi, na-accept ko na we are not the youngest generation anymore. I woke up one day, and I realized, ako na yata ‘yong pinaka-senior dito sa space or sa room na ‘to [I think I’m the most senior person here]! And it doesn’t scare me away.” After all, it’s the new generation that will watch and draw conclusions based on what’s shown to them. “I think [the next generation] are all intelligent. You have your own way of thinking that’s very different from ours. And we work well.”

As for all the rest, the cast and crew chalk up their sentiments to a simple refrain: “Just watch the show!”