Be Do Be Do to You too!!!

When Jim Paredes posted in twitter that the film “Idobidobidoo” was going to show in New York, I immediately knew that I had to see it but not without it’s obstacles. (tagalog isn’t my language)  And I knew that hubby will definitely decline an invitation to watch any  tagalog movie unless it was a Rosanna Roces film.  Because even if some deep pinoy words are incomprehensible at least he will have his show of butts and boobs.

But when  hubby said he was going to this ‘galactic’ lecture by an author somewhere in mid-Manhattan, I took the chance to say that I too had some happening going on.

The  venue of the movie was a kind of an off broadway complex that had several mini  theatres in it.  Even the hallways were narrow and cramped.  And each theatre had a capacity of about 30-40 people.At one time while we were watching the movie, we could hear jumping and running feet above us which was rather irritating.  Anyway I called the day before and asked for the screening hours so I could plan my early evening.

However, upon arriving I was told that screening was still an hour.  Earlier, hubby and I had some cocktails at home before heading out.  We downed a bottle of wine with some homemade artichoke dip with chips and I was feeling a little light headed.  So without a moment  to loose, I headed to a Starbucks cafe to get myself a cafe mocha and while the time.

Times Square is just two blocks from the theatre and was buzzling with tourists on a cold winter night.  After getting my coffee, I headed back to the theatre while bumping into so many out of towners wanting to take pictures with Cookie Monster, Elmo, Smurf Batman or Miss Kitty, who were roaming the streets.

 BAck at the theatre, and  waiting at the bar lounge an American born Filipina came in.  I was relieved at the thought that I wasn’t going to be alone.  But when I struck a conversation with her, she was part of a play that was showing in one of the studios in the complex.  It was 10 minutes before screening time, and I was feeling jittery as I didn’t see any signs of other Filipinos.  So I went up to the bartender and asked  where I could get tickets for the show.  She pointed me to someone who was seated adjacent to the bar.

A Filipina with an envelope on hand was selling the tickets and escorted me as well.  

Two other Filipinos were already seated and I took the seat on the opposite aisle.  Later on, I learned that they were from the Philippine Consulate, who do blast e-mails on Filipino activities around the states. A few minutes later, an American couple came in and took the seats behind me.  I befriended Marlyn and John , who told me that the latter worked in Surigao for a year in the 70’s and was curious about the film, which was featured at the New YOrk Times Review that morning.

For awhile, I was worried for them but when the movie started with having subtitles, I leaned back and relaxed. 

The movie is typical Filipino.  And if my new friends get the hint, America is the land of refuge for unwanted pregnancies and disgruntled people (that’s what the movie depicted--sort of)

It was entertaining, and the audience (a few more Pinoys came though) sang with the movie when the tune was familiar to them. The cast was superb and talented. Towards the end, I had a feeling of repetitiveness, but the element of surprise was the bedroom scene, which was hilarious---so characteristic!

my new friends.. Marlyn is an editor  of a well known company here in New York and I'm an aspiring writer, could this be fate?......just kidding...

this was what greeted me when i went up the stairs to check on the movie

cookie monster with some tourists

smurf turning blue with the cold...heheheh!

I was entertained, all right!  And I do hope that even non-Filipinos should watch it as well.  Kudos to the Apo for the songs and hats off to the cast of I dobidoobidoo!!! Well done!