Dear Guelan,

I'm sending you back the second draft, with my notes, which I hope you will comprehend.

Essentially, my basic points are as follows:

1. Songs: I see the songs serving as bookmarks and between acts. Thus, we should have a song
at the beginning (as indicated), but we should also have one after Act 1 (maybe a reprise, or the
actual end of Act 1 song or parts thereof -- I am leaning towards the former). However, the
whole segment with the Hindi Simple ang Buhay now looks misplaced, so it may be better to
have it sung instead between Acts 1 and 2, and then preserve the integrity of the spoken lines for
the entire acts (1,2,3). There is a need to have a song again in between Acts 2 and 3, and maybe
we can reprise the Hindi Simple ang Buhay or foreshadow the last song, which necessarily must
(also) be sung at the end.

Given this, we can really limit our singers to only Candida, Paula, and Don Perico, and then just
let the other actors learn the final song and have them join in.


2. Language: I think that the predominant language should be English, but we should prepare the
audience for the Filipino and Spanish translations as early as the first Bitoy speech. It may be
that when he talks as the old Bitoy, he speaks in Filipino, but whenever he harkens to the past
glory and as a child he speaks in English. Candida and Paula talk to him in English in the
present, but go back to Spanish when they re-live the past, and also in their expressions. Perico
should predominantly be in Spanish, (and I think English more than Filipino -- let the singing
Perico be the one talking in Filipino). Tony Javier, as well as Susan and Violet should be the
ones speaking n Filipino. Candida may use "Mr. Javier" when addressing him, and perhaps,
even in her first words to him. The Police can be talking to the sisters in English, but in Filipino
with the girls.

3. Characters: I think we can do away with Loleng and the reporters.

4. Entrances and Exits: Can we add the exit lines or entrance lines so that it is clear that the
characters have entered or left the scene?

I hope this is coherent enough to help you. Get back to me if you have any concerns. You can
also call or text me at 09165584777.

Thank you.