"New Yorker in Tondo" is a classic Filipino Play by Marcelino Agana, Jr. It is a satire written in the 50's. It is a story about a girl named Kikay who goes to New York and fell in love with it. She acquires all the New Yorkish things - style, looks, language and manners. These things are very obvious when she arrives in the Philippines specifically in Tondo.
Aling Atang, mother of Kikay, has been carried away by her daughters way of living. She tries to converse with everybody in broken English.
Tony, childhood sweetheart of Kikay, decides to visit and catch things up with her friend. He is a simple guy who got secretly engaged with their other childhood friend, Nena.
Nena is a tomboyish type of girl. On her visit in Kikay's house, she finds her friend different and weird. She gets irritated and even imitates Kikay's ways.
Totoy, the Tondo "canto boy" is their other friend who is funny and has a secret love for Nenan which has only been revealded when the two females had a clash.
Near the end, the secret love of the characters in the story is revealded. And the two pairs end up in each other's arms. Kikay is back to her old self -- simple and kind. Most of all, the Filipino value learned by the protagonist which is "there is no place like home", is a lesson on love of country and its culture.
Aling Atang, mother of Kikay, has been carried away by her daughters way of living. She tries to converse with everybody in broken English.
Tony, childhood sweetheart of Kikay, decides to visit and catch things up with her friend. He is a simple guy who got secretly engaged with their other childhood friend, Nena.
Nena is a tomboyish type of girl. On her visit in Kikay's house, she finds her friend different and weird. She gets irritated and even imitates Kikay's ways.
Totoy, the Tondo "canto boy" is their other friend who is funny and has a secret love for Nenan which has only been revealded when the two females had a clash.
Near the end, the secret love of the characters in the story is revealded. And the two pairs end up in each other's arms. Kikay is back to her old self -- simple and kind. Most of all, the Filipino value learned by the protagonist which is "there is no place like home", is a lesson on love of country and its culture.
The New Yorker in Tondo
In New York | |
Kikay | (Kikay is reading a letter from her Mother with Honey and Arlene ) Dear Kikay, I miss you na, and super like to be see of your view. Because it’s very sad here in Tondo, please go home na, coz I am very lonely. Love, Your mommy dear, Atang. |
| I told her to call herself Mrs. Mendoza! Oh well, I needed to go back to Tondo! |
Marissa | (Enters) Tondo? Why are you going there? (Going to a book shelf and scribble one thick book) |
Arianne | (Enters) Too bad, I’m gonna miss you, Darling! |
Kikay | I know, imagine dati, I’m just a newbie who wants to study Hair Culture and Beauty Science, Then, now, I’m going back na… |
Jamie | Whaaat? Who’s going back to their stupid country? |
Kikay | Me… |
Jamie | You? OMG! It’s super stupidity! |
Kikay | I know.. And surely, I’ll be the hottest girl there… |
Arianne | Isn’t Tondo too hot for you? |
Marissa | Hey Francesca, Look at this! This says, Tondo is established with a church, but the church is famous for its bangketa or a cheaper bazaar. |
Arlene | Hmm… It is very unusual for you to go there… |
Kikay | I know, And I don’t think you could survive… |
Honey | So, is this a goodbye for the OFW’ees? |
Kikay | No, I’m not gonna stay there, as if. I don’t like it there. |
Jamie | But before you go, let’s have a bye bye bye…. |
Honey | Bye Bye Party! |
Marissa | Of course, what were we gonna do here? Stay and bathe in tears? |
Kikay | You really love me guys! |
Arlene | And we love you, too, right, guys? |
Arianne | So, let’s start the party? (Pushes Casette Button ; Plays HOT N’ COLD by Katy Perry) |
The song continues and Lights Dim, then on again… The song becames louder and plays for 15 seconds. The stage is still empty until Mrs. Mendoza comes in, dress in leggings and off shoulder dress, high heels and a crazy hair cut. She carries a big bag full of make ups and stuffs. | |
Mrs. M | (Shouting by window) Aling Ising, Aling Ising, maawa naman kayo sa mga kapitbahay ninyo! Nagmula sa alas sinco ng umaga hanggang hatinggabi wala na kayong tinugotg kung hindi iyang demonyong plakang iyan!...Maski naman gaano kaganda niyang damuhong Hot N’ Cold na iyan ay pinagsasawaan din… Aling Ising! Huuuy! Aba, mga bingi yata ito a… Tama na iyang Hot N’ Cold na iyan… kung hindi babasagin ko sa mga mukha ninyo iyan. Mariosep! (Stops music) (A knock is heard) (As she walks toward the door) Visitors. always visitors, nothing but visitors all day long. Naku, I’m beginning to feel like a society mah-tron. |
| (She opens door. Tony steps in, carrying a bouqet. Tony is 26, dressed to kill, and is suave type. Right now, however, he is feeling a trifle nervous. He starts slightly on seeing Mrs. Mendoza.) |
mrs. m | Tony! I thought you were in the province. |
tony | (Staring) But is that you, Aling Atang? |
mrs. m | (Laughing) Of course, it’s I , foolish boy. Who did you think it was... Carmen Rosales? |
tony | You... you don’t look like Aling Atang. |
mrs. m | (Shyly touching her hair) I had my haircut. Do I look so horrible? |
Tony | Oh, no,no... you look just wonderful, aling atang. For a moment I thought you were your own daughter. I thought you were Kikay. |
mrs. m | (Playfully slapping his cheek) Oh, you are so palikero as ever, tony. But come in, come. (She moves toward furniture and Tony follows.) Here, have a seat. How is your mother? |
tony | (As he sits down, still holding bouqet) Oh, poor mother is terribly homesick for Tondo, Aling Atang. She wants to come back here at once. |
mrs. m | (Standing beside his chair, putting an apron) How long have you been away? |
tony | Only Three months. |
mrs. m | Only three months? Three months is too long for Tondenia to be away from Tondo. Aie, my poor kumare, how bored she must be out there! |
tony | Well, Aling Atang, you know how it is for us engineers. We must go where our job calls us. But as soon as I have finished with that bridge in Bulacan, mother and I are going back to Tondo. |
mrs. m | Yes, you must bring her back as soon as possible. We miss her whenever we play panguinge. |
tony | (Laughing) That is what she misses of all. |
mrs. m | Now I understand what she feels! Your mother can never, neve rbecome a provinciana, Tony. Once a Tondenia, always a Tondenia, I always say. (She pauses, struck by thought) But I wonder if that’s true after all. Look at my Kikay ; she was there in America for a whole year, and she says that she never felt homesick at all! |
tony | (Becoming to look nervous again) When... when did Kikay arrive, Aling Atang? |
mrs. m | Last Monday. |
tony | I didn’t know she had come until I read about it in the newspapers. |
mrs. m | (Plaintively) That girl only arrived last Monday and look what has happened to me! When she first saw me, she was furious. She said that I needed a complete overhauling. She dragged me off to the beauty parlor, and look what she has done to me! My hair was cut, eyebrows shaved, nails manicured. And when I’m going to the market, I used lipstick! All my kumare are laughing. People think I’m a...a...what you call that again? ... loose woman. And at my age too! But what can I do. You know how impossible it is to argue with Kikay. And she says that I must learn how to look and act like an Americana because I have a daughter who has been to America. Dios mio, do I look like an American? |
tony | (Too worried to pay much attention) You look just wonderful Aling Atang. And... and where is she now? |
mrs. m | (Who’s rather engrossed in her troubles too) Who? |
tony | Kikay? Is she at home? |
mrs. m | Of course, she is at home! She’s still sleeping. |
tony | (Glancing at his watch) Still sleeping! |
mrs. m | She says that in New York people do not wake up before Twelve o’clock noon. |
tony | (Glancing at his watch once more) It’s only Ten O’clock now! |
mrs. m | Besides, she has been very, very busy. Uy, the life of that giurl since she came home! Welcome parties here and welcome parties there, and visitors all day long! That girl has been spinning around like top! |
Tony | (Rising disconsolately) Well, will you just tell her I called... to welcome her home. Oh, and will you please give her these flowers? |
mrs. m | (Taking flowers) But surely, you’re not going yet, Tony? |
tony | I want to see Kikay, Aling Atang, but if she doesn’t get up until twelve noon... |
mrs. m | (Firmly) She’s going to get up right now and see you, Tony. Why, you and she grew up together! Sit right down again, Tony... I will go and wake her up. |
tony | Oh, please don’t bother, Aling Atang. I can come back some other time. |
mrs. m | (Moving Away) You wait right there, Tony. She’ll be simply delighted to see her old childhood friend. And she’ll want to thank you in person for these flowers. How beautiful they are Tony... How expensive they must be! |
Tony | (Sitting down again) Oh, they’re nothing at all, Aling Atang. |
mrs. m | (Pausing already at center doorway) Oh, Tony... |
tony | Yes, Aling Atang? |
mrs. m | You must not call me “Aling Atang” |
tony | Why not? |
mrs. m | Kikay doesn’t like it. She says I must tell people to call me Mrs. Mendoza. She says it is more civilized form of address. So... especially in front of Kikay... you must call me, Mrs. Mendoza. |
tony | Yes, Aling...I mean, yes, Mrs. Mendoza. |
mrs. m | (Turning to go) Well, wait just a minute and I’ll call Kikay. |
tony | (To himself as he sits down) Hah! |
Mrs. m | (Turning again) Oh and Tony... |
Tony | (Jumping up again) Yes, Aling... I mean, yes, Mrs. Mendoza? |
mrs. m | You must not call Kikay “Kikay” |
Tony | (Blankly) And what shall I call her? |
mrs. m | You must call her Francesca. |
tony | Francisca? |
Mrs. m | Not Francisca... Fran-Ces-Ca. |
tony | But why Francesca? |
mrs. m | She says that in New York , she says that’s the way they pronounce he name, it sounds like “chi-chi” so Italian, be sure to call her Francesca and not Kikay. Oh, how she hates that name! |
Tony | (Limply sitting down again) Yes, Mrs. Mendoza |
mrs. m | (Turning to go again) Now, wait right here while I call Francesca…. (Someone’s knocking at the door. She turns around again.) AIE DIOSMIO!!! |
tony | (Jumping up once again)Never mind Mrs. Mendoza, I’ll answer it. (He goes to open the door.) |
mrs. m | (as she exits) Just tell them to wait, Tony. |
| Tony opens door and Totoy steps in. Totoy is the same age as Tony. Both boys do their secret handshake.) |
Totoy | (Arms extending to hug Tony) Tony! |
tony | Totoy! (Then they pund each other in the bellies) |
Totoy | You old son of your father! |
Tony | You big carabao! |
Totoy | Mayroon ba tayo dyan? |
Tony | You ask me that… and you look like a walking goldmine! How many depots have you been looting, huh!!?? |
Totoy | Hey hey!! More slowly there.. It is you the police are looking for. |
Tony | Impossible! I’m a reformed character! |
Totoy | (As, arms around each other’s shoulders, they march across the room.) Make way for the Tondo boys... Bang! Bang! |
Tony | (Pushing Totoy away and producing a package of cigarettes) Good to see you old pal.. Here, have a smoke. |
Totoy | I thought you were in Bulacan, partner. |
Tony | I am. I just came to say hello to Kikay. |
Totoy | Tony. I’ve been hearing the most frightful things about that girl. |
tony | (Sinking into chair) So have I. |
totoy | (Sitting down, too) People say she has gone crazy. |
tony | No, she has only gone New York . |
totoy | What was she doing in New York anyway? |
tony | Oh, studying. |
totoy | Studying what? |
tony | Hair culture and Beauty Science. She got a diploma. |
totoy | Imagine that! Our dear old Kikay! |
tony | Pardon me, she's not Kikay anymore,.. She's Fran-CeS-ca.. |
totoy | Fran-CeS-ca?? |
tony | Miss Tondo has become Miss New York. Our dear Kikay is now an American. |
totoy | Don’t make me laugh! Why I knew that girl when she’s still selling rice cakes.. (Stands up and Imitates a girl Puto Vendor) Puto kayo dyan!! Bili na kayo ng puto mga suki!! |
tony | (Laughing) Remember when we pushed her into the canal? |
totoy | She chased us around the streets. |
tony | She was dripping with mud! |
totoy | Naku! How that girl could fight! |
tony | (Fondly) Dear Old Kikay! |
| (Knocking at door.) Totoy goes to open it. Enters Nena. Nena is a pretty young lady of 24) |
nena | Why, it’s Totoy! |
totoy | Nena, my own. |
nena | (Brushing him aside as she walks into the room) And Tony, too.. What’s all this? A Canto Boy Reunion ? |
tony | (following behind her) We have come to greet the Lady from New York . |
nena | So have I. Is she at home? |
tony | Aling Atang is trying to wake her up. |
nena | To wake her up?! Is she still sleeping?? |
mrs. m | (Appearing) No, she’s awake already. She's dressing. Good morning Nena and Totoy. (Totoy and Nena are staring speechless. Mrs. Mendoza is carrying a vase in which she has arranged Tony’s flowers. She self-conciously walks into room and sets the vase on the table amidst a silence broken only by Totoy’s helpless whistle) |
mrs. m | (Having set vase at the table) Well, Totoy? Nena? Why are you staring me like that? |
nena | Is that you Aling Atang? |
totoy | Naka! It is Aling Atang! (He collapses into chair) |
Tony | To inform you, she now prefers to be called Mrs. Mendoza. |
Mrs.M Nena | Oh, Tony! It is not I but Kikay who prefers it. She was delighted with these flowers. Nena, If you don’t stop gazing at me like that I will pinch you hard! When we were children you always used to do that to us... |
Mrs. M | And I can do it yet, aba, kasi... you were always naughty when you were children, all of you... especially this one... (indicating totoy)... this botarete ... (totoy laughs)... Always going into our backyard to steal our mangoes. |
Totoy | Is that Mango tree still there, aling Atang? |
Mrs. M | Natural! |
Totoy | Come on Nena, Let’s steal some Mangoes... |
Mrs. M | Oy, oy no stealing of mangoes! Besides, if you do, I’ll chase you like I used to do... and I’ll take your pants off... |
Totoy | Aba, I’m big now, baka magulat po kayo... and besides, I wear suspenders..hehe... |
Mrs. M | Oy, oy halika nga. You come with me to the kitchen. |
Totoy | To take my pants off? |
Mrs. M | Talagang salbahe ito, ah! I want you to help me prepare something. |
Nena | Oh never mind, Aling Atang, don’t prepare anything for us. |
Mrs. M | Oh, It is Just some orange juice. You see, Kikay ... I mean Fran-Ces-ca, always tell me that in New York they don’t eat breakfast they just drink Orange juice so... come on, Totoy. |
Totoy | Arya, Kumara! |
Nena | (Exits Mrs. Mendoza and Totoy ; Tony and Nena are silent for a moment.) Well, Tony? |
Tony | You shouldn’t have come today, Nena |
Nena | Oh, why not? |
Tony | I haven’t talked with Kikay Yet. |
Nena | You haven’t talked with Kikay Yet? But I thought you were coming here to tell her everything last night! |
Tony | I lost my nerve, I didn’t come last night. |
Nena | Oh tony, Tony! |
Tony | (Irritated, Imitating her tone) Oh, Tony, tony ... use your head, Nena. Whoever heard of a man breaking off his engagement just like that! It’s not easy! |
Nena | Are you inlove with Kikay or with me? |
Tony | Of course I’m in love with you. I’m engaged to you. |
Nena | Yes, and you’re engaged to Kikay too. |
Tony | But that was a year ago. |
Nena | Oh, you wolf! |
Tony | Nena, Nena you know I love only you! |
Nena | How could you have the nerve to propose to me when you were still engaged to Kikay! |
Tony | I wish I had never told you that. This is what I get for being honest. |
Nena | Honest! You call yourself honest! Getting me to fall in love with you when you still belonged to Kikay! |
Tony | I... I thought I didn’t belong to her anymore. It was only a secret engagement anyway. |
Nena | Secret! |
Tony | I proposed to her just before she left for America... |
Nena | O...? |
Tony | And she said we must keep our engagement a secret until she come back. But when she had been there a couple of months she stopped answering my letters... |
Nena | Good...! |
Tony | So I considered my self a freeman again. |
Nena | That’s why you proposed to me? |
Tony | No!... I mean... Yes. |
Nena | And then asked me to keep our engagement a secret also! |
Tony | Because right afterwards, I found out that Kikay was coming back. |
Nena | Well, I’m tired of being secretly engaged to you; what fun is it being engaged if you cannot ... kuan ... tell everybody. |
Tony | Just give me a chance to talk to Kikay and explain everything to her. Then you and I will announce our engagement. |
Nena | Well, you’d better hurry. I’m getting impatient. |
Tony | The trouble is, how can I talk to Kikay now? |
Nena | Why not? |
Tony | Well, you are here... and Totoy is here. You don’t expect me to talk about it infront of everybody, do you? |
Nena | You want me and Totoy to leave? |
Tony | No, just give me a chance to be alone with Kikay for a moment. |
Nena | Okay, I’ll take care of Totoy. |
Tony | That’s good. |
Nena | You just leave it to me. But settle this now and forever ha? (Totoy enters with glasses on a tray) |
Totoy | Puto kayo diyan... Bili na kayo ng puto... |
| (Mrs. Mendoza enters) |
Mrs. M | Drink you orange juice and I’ll see if Kikay is ready. Listen, everybody... here comes Kikay... But remember she prefers to be called Fran-Ces-ca! |
| (Kikay Appears, garved in a trailing gown trimmed with fur at the neck and hemline. From one hand she dangles a large silk handkerchief which she keeps waving about as she walks and talks. In the other hand she carries a cigarette. Kikay’s manner and appearance are... to use a hollywood expression – “Chi-chi like mad.”) |
Kikay | (Having paused a long moment in the doorway, hands uplifted in surprise and delight.) Oh, hello, hello... you darling, darling people! (She glides into the room. Everybody is too astonished to move.) Nena, My dear, but how cute you’ve become! (Kisses Nena) And Tony, dear boy, how are you... (gives her hand to Tony) And Totoy, why you look like a Tondo superproduction Totoy, how does one say in Tagalog—In Technicolor! Halika dito. But sit down everybody... Do sit down and let me look at you! |
| Oh, Mumsy, Mumsy! |
Mrs. M | Oy, what’s the matter now? |
Kikay | But how many times must I tell you, Mumsy dearest, never, never to serve fruit juice in water glasses! |
Mrs. M | Tsk, tsk, never mind. Water glasses or beverage glasses all the same, pareho! |
Kikay | Oh my poor li’l mumsy... She is so clumsy, no? But never mind, Dearest, don’t break your heart about it. Here, sit down. |
Mrs. M | No, It’s time to go to market, aba! |
Kikay | Oh really mumsy, don’t forget my celery. (to visitors) I can’t live without celery! |
Mrs. M | Well, if you people excuse me... Tony, remember me to your mother, hane, and let me know the pozo negro you are building in Pampanga is finished. |
Tony | Bridge, Aling Atang, In Bulacan. |
Mrs. M | Ay, bredge nga naman! Oo, in Bulacan. |
Kikay | And remember, Mumsy, oy... a little bloom on the lips, a little bloom on the cheeks. |
Mrs. M | What, Kikay? |
Kikay | Again Mumsy? |
Mrs. M | Eh, Fran-Ces-Ca do I have to paint myself again? |
Kikay | (Laughing) But how dreadfully she puts it! Oh, Mumsy, Mumsy ... What am I going to do with you? |
Mrs. M | (As she exits) I don’t know to you! You are the one... (Exit) |
Kikay | (Still laughing) Poor Mumsy, she’s quite a problem (Waving her cigarette) Oh, does anybody have a light? |
Totoy | Here, I’ve got a lighter. |
Kikay | Merci, Totoy. |
Totoy | Ha? |
Kikay | I said Merci. That means Thank you... in French. |
Totoy | Merci. |
Nena | Oh, Tell us about New York, Kikay. |
Kikay | (fervently) Ah New York, New York. |
Tony | How long did you stay there? |
Kikay | (In a trance) 10 months, 4 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes! |
Totoy | Bilang na bilang, ano? |
Kikay | (With emotion checking her voice) Yes, I feel as if I were still there, as though I had never left it, as though I had lived there all my life. But I look around me... ( looks at guest )... and I realize that no, I’m not there... I’m not in New York ... I’m right here in Tondo... |
Totoy | Anong Tan-Doe? |
Nena | Tondo, buang! |
Kikay | I’m home, they tell me. But this cannot be home, because my heart aches with homesickness. I feel like an exile. My spirit aches for its true home across the sea. Ah, New York, New York. My own dear New York. Listen! It’s springtime there now. Oh, we have a funny custom. When spring comes around each year, we new Yorkers, we make a sort of pilgrimage to an old tree growing down the Battery. Oh! We New Yorkers call it “Our Tree” – In a way, that tree is our own symbol for New York. (She is silent for a moment. Her visitors glance uneasily at each other. Kikay laughs and makes an apologetic gesture.) But please forgive me! Here I am going sentimental and just mooning away over things you have no idea about. No, you can’t understand this emotion I feel for our own dear New York... |
Nena | Oh, but I do understand perfectly. I feel that way too, about our tree. |
Kikay | (Blankly) What tree? |
Nena | Our mango tree, Kikay. Have you forgotten about it? Why you and I used to go climbing up there everyday and gorging ourselves on green mangoes. How our stomachs ached afterwards. And then these bad boys would come and start shaking the branches until we fell down. (laughs) |
Totoy | (laughing) Aling Atang once caught me climbing that tree and she grabbed my pants... and off they came! |
Tony | (Laughing) I was up there in that tree at that time and I laughed so hard I fell down! |
Nena | (laughing) Yes, and Aling Atang chased you all around the yard with her broom, and when she caught you... bang! She got you on the head with the broom and how you screamed! |
Totoy | But me, I could not come down the tree at all because I did not have my pants on! (laugh) |
Nena | And Kikay and Me ... we were rolling on the ground, simply hysterical with laughter. And Totoy, you kept shouting: “Ang salawal ko! Ang salawal ko!” |
| (They are all shaking with laughter except Kikay who is staring blankly at all this.) |
Kikay | But wait a minute, wait a minute... what is this tree you’re talking about? |
Nena | Our mango tree, Kikay. The mango tree there in the backyard. |
Kikay | (flatly) Oh, that tree. |
Tony | What’s the matter Kikay, don’t you feel the same emotion for that tree as you do for the one in New York? |
Kikay | (Tartly) Of Course Not! |
Tony | Why not? |
Kikay | They... they’re completely different! I don’t feel any emotion for this silly old mango tree... It doesn’t awaken any emotion for me at all! |
Nena | Well, it does for me. And such happy, happy memories. I really must run out to the backyard to say hello to it. (Immitating Kikay’s tone and manner) You know, Kikay, over here in Tondo, we have a funny custom. We make a sort of pilgrimage to a silly old mango tree growing in the backyard. And for us, here in Tondo, that tree is our tree. In a way, It is a symbol... |
Kikay | Don’t be silly, Nena. |
Totoy | Anong sili? |
Kikay | (In amused despair) Oh, you people can’t understand at all. |
Tony | Probably, we’ve never been to New York. |
Kikay | (Earnestly) Exactly! Our tree in New York, doesn’t stand for Kidstuff and childhood foolishness! It stands for a vivacious, more streamlined, a more daring way of life! In short, it stand for higher and finer things! Oh, how I miss the Manhattan skyline, the Coney Island in summer. The Madison Square Garden, the Bronx Zoo, The fifth avenue and for all the darling dens in Greenwich village. Oh, its impossible for you to see. |
Tony | I still prefer a tree that grows in Tondo. |
Totoy | And I second the motion. |
Nena | So do I. |
Kikay | (Tolerantly) Oh you funny, funny children. |
Nena | (Kikay Manner) Well, I really must go and say hello to our tree. You don’t mind Kikay, do you? |
Kikay | Of course not, child. Do go. |
Nena | Totoy, will you come with me? |
Totoy | To the ends of the earth! |
Nena | (Kikay manner) No, darling ... just to our sear little backyard. |
Totoy | (Acting up too) Oh, the backyards of Tondo, the barung-barong of Maypaho, the street of Sibukong ... ! |
Nena | Listen, idiot, are you coming with me or not? |
Totoy | Anywhere, dream girl! |
| (Exit Nena and Totoy) |
Kikay | Well! Apparently, our Totoy still has a... terrific crush on Nena. (pause) Do wake up Tony... what are you looking so miserable about? |
Tony | (Gathering courage) Kikay ... I don’t know how to begin... |
Kikay | Just call me Fran-Ces-Ca... that’s good beginning. |
Tony | There is something I must tell you… something very important. |
Kikay | Oh, Tony, can’t we just forget all about it? |
Tony | Forget?? |
Kikay | That’s the New York way, Tony. Forget, nothing must ever too serious; nothing must drag on too long. Tonight, give all your heart, tomorrow, forget. And when you meet again, smile, shake hands… just good sports.. |
Tony | What are you talking about? |
Kikay | Tony, I was only a child at that time. |
Tony | When? |
Kikay | When you and I got engaged. I’ve changed so much since then, Tony. |
Tony | That was only a year ago. |
Kikay | To me, it seems a century. So much had happened to me. More can happen to you in just one year in New York . |
Tony | Listen, I don’t want to talk about New York … I want to talk about our engagement. |
Kikay | And that’s what we cannot do Tony. Not anymore. |
Tony | Why not? |
Kikay | Tony, you got engaged to a girl named Kikay. Well, that girl doesn’t exist anymore. She's dead. The person you see before you is Francesca. Don’t you see, Tony, I’m a stranger to you. I hate to hurt you, but surely you see that there can be no more talk of an engagement between us. And as for marriage...(laughs) .... It would be a stark miscegenation. Imagine, a New Yorker, marrying a Tondo Boy!!! It's so insane!! |
Tony | (Blazing) Now wait a minute... |
Kikay | (Very Tolerantly) I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you Tony. But I wanted you to realize how ridiculous it could be to think that I could still be engaged to you. |
Tony | I’m not going to stand here and be insulted! |
Kikay | Hush, tony, Hush! Don’t shout! Don’t lose your temper... it’s so uncivilized. People in New York don’t lose their temper. Not people of the Haute made anyway. |
Tony | What do you want me to do... smile and say thank you for insulting me? |
Kikay | Yes, Tony, Be a Sport! Let’s smile and shake hands and just be friends. Be brave Tony... forget, the New york Way. Find another girl... any girl you’ll find find... someone more proper for you. More like a loser. |
Tony | If you weren’t a woman I’d...I’d...! |
| (Totoy and nena Appear) |
Totoy | Hold it, tony... You must never, never hit a woman! |
Nena | What’s all this? Ano ba to? |
Kikay | Nothing, nothing at all. |
Totoy | What were you two quarelling about? |
Kikay | We were not quarelling. Tony and I just decided to be good friends and nothing more. |
Nena | Tony, is this true? |
Tony | (shouting) Yes! |
Nena | Oh good! Now we can tell them. |
Kikay | Tell us what? |
Totoy | What’s going on here anyway? |
Nena | Tony and I are engaged. |
Kikay and Totoy | Engaged? |
Nena | Yes, we’ve been secretly engaged for a month. |
Kikay | A month! (fiercely to Tony) why you... you! |
Tony | I did try to tell you Kikay... I was trying to tell you... |
Kikay | You... You... you double-crosses! Two timer loser! |
Nena | Aba, careful there... your speaking to my fiance... |
Kikay | He’s not your fiance! |
Nena | Oh, no?... why not? |
Kikay | Because he was still engaged to me when he got engaged to you! |
| |
Nena | Well, he's not engaged to you anymore, you just said it yourself. |
Kikay | Ah, but I didn’t know about all this.. |
Tony | Now remember, Kikay… it's so uncivilized to lose one’s temper, People in New York don’t lose their temper. |
Kikay | I’ve never felt so humiliated in all my life!! You beast, I’ll teach you!! |
Nena | I told you to leave him alone! He’s my fiance! |
Kikay | And I tell you he's not!! He's engaged to me until I release him… and I haven’t release him yet. |
Nena | You ought to be ashamed of yourself... laos ka na! |
Kikay | You ought to be ashamed of yourself... you’re... you... you steal my boyfriend! |
Nena | What? What did you say!!?? |
Tony | Totoy, pull them apart! |
Kikay | (to Totoy) You keep out of this or I’ll knock your head off! |
Totoy | Naku lumabas din ang pagka Tondo! |
Nena | Walanghiya ka. Kapal mukha! |
Kikay | Walanghiya pala! |
NEna | Oh, you will ha? (pause) Here, take that! (slap) |
Kikay | (Screams and faints) |
Tony | (furious) How dare you hit her! |
Nena | And why not? She hit me first! |
Tony | Look what you’ve done to her! |
Nena | Are you trying to defend her? You never defended me! |
Tony | Shut up! |
Nena | Oh, I hate you, I hate you!! (sobs) |
Tony | Shut up! Kung hindi ay babasagin ko yang mukha mo! |
Totoy | Pare, don’t talk to Nena that way. |
Tony | You keep out of this! |
Nena | He’s more of a gentleman than you are, he defends me! |
Totoy | (To tony) Take your hands off her! |
Tony | I told you to keep out of this! |
Totoy | (spanks Tony on the face sends Tony sprawling. Meanwhile, Kikay woke up.) |
Nena | Oh, Totoy, you hit him for me. You saved my life. You’re my hero! |
Kikay | Totoy, how dare you hit him! (rushed to Tony) Tony... Tony.. Open your eyes! (Tony opens mouth) No, no, no, not your mouth, your eyes! |
Tony | Where am I? |
Nena | Totoy, take me away from here. |
Totoy | Are you still engaged to him? |
Nena | I hate him! I never want to see him again in my life! |
Totoy | Good! Come on, let’s go! |
Tony | Hey! |
Nena | Don’t you speak to me, you salawahan! |
Tony | I wasn’t talking to you! |
Totoy | Don’t speak to me either. You have insulted the woman I love. |
Nena | Oh, Totoy... why... you never tell me. |
Totoy | (shyly) Well... now you know how, and I’m telling you. Ano, pwede ba tayo? |
Nena | Basta ikaw Totoy, Vibs lang tayo. |
Tony | Congratulations! |
Nena and totoy | Tse! |
| (Exit Nena and Totoy) |
Tony | (to Kikay) Now, what you need is a good spanking. |
Kikay | Don’t you come near to me, you... you canto boy! |
Tony | Don’t worry, I wouldn’t touch you with a 10 foot pole. |
Kikay | And I wouldn’t touch you with a 20 foot pole. |
Tony | Just one year in New York and you forget all your friends. |
Kikay | Just one year that I’m in New York … and what did you do? But when we got engaged, you swore to be true, you promised to wait for me. And I believe you!! (cry) Oh, you’re a fickle, fickle.. |
Tony | What are you crying about? Be brave... forget... that’s the New York way. |
Kikay | Oh, Tony, Please... please! Salawahan! Taksil! Mandedenggoy ka! |
Tony | Besides, we don’t speak the same language. Marriage between would be a stark misce... misce... |
Kikay | Miscegenation. |
Tony | Iyan na nga, imagine a New Yorker, marrying a Tondo boy! |
Kikay | Oh, Tony, I’ve been such a fool. I’m so sorry Tony. |
Tony | Well, I’m not. I’m glad to found out what kind of person you are! |
Kikay | Oh, Tony you’re wrong...wrong...! I’m not that kind of person at all. |
Tony | Oh, person is just a relative term, huh? |
Kikay | Yes, Tony... that francesca saying all those silly things. But Francesca exists no more. Tony, no more. The girl standing before you is kikay. |
Tony | In that silly dress? |
Kikay | Oh, this? this is just a gift-wrapping. But deep down inside me I’m just a Tondo girl inlove with a Tondo boy. |
Tony | Oh...? |
Kikay | It’s true Tony. I’m kikay... remember me? I’ve come back. |
Tony | If, I remember, I was engaged to girl named Kikay. |
Kikay | And yes, you’re still engaged to her, Tony. |
Tony | Welcome home, darling. |
| (Offstage, Mrs. Mendoza is heard calling “Francesca, Francesca” Tony and Kikay then burst into laughter.) |
Mrs. M | (Enter) Francesca... Oh Tony, you’re still here pala. |
Tony | Opo Aling Atang |
Mrs. M | Francesca, I’m sorry I couldn’t find the celery you wanted. |
Kikay | Oh, never mind Inay. Just give me the Old good Kangkong and some talbos ng Kamote and I’ll be happy. |
Mrs. M | But you said you can’t live without celery, hija? |
Tony | That was Francesca, Aling atang. Now, we’ve changed the program. The girl infront of you is not Francesca. |
Mrs. M | Eh Who? Eh who? |
Tony | It is Kikay. |
Mrs. M | But Kikay is Francesca. (Looks at her) |
Kikay | I’m not Francesca, Inay, I’m Kikay. |
Mrs. M | Ay salamat. Eh di I can play pangguigue again... and I can call you Kikay once more. |
Kikay | Yes, Inay. |
Mrs. M | No more, United Stitch ? |
Kikay | No more, Inay. |
Mrs. M | (Goes to Francesca) And I can take off this girdle alreidi? |
Kikay | Yes, Of course (laughs). |
Mrs. M | Ayos! So you can ask your mother Tony to come right away to Tondo as soon as you finish the cemetery you are building in Batangas. |
Kikay | What cemetery Inay? |
Mrs. M | The one that Tony is building in Zamboanga. |
Tony | It’s not a cemetery Aling Atang. It’s a bridge. |
Mrs. M | In Bulacan, oh kita mo yan. And it has no name yet, ano Tony. Why don’t you call it Francesca? Just for old time sake. (exit laughing) Francesca! |
Kikay | Ang inay naman! |
| Music: Let the Love Begin |
Kikay | That music, Tony. I remember the first nightclub I went to in New York... they were playing that peace and I dreamed... |
Tony | Kikay, pag sinabi mong New york, babatukan kita... |
Kikay | I dreamt of you. I dreamed we were dancing on and on... And I told you, I love you. |
Tony | Sweetheart, I love you too. |
| Music: Let The Love Begin Fades and Hot N’ Cold was played so loud |
Mrs. M | (Enters Angry and Bursting) Aling Isiiiing! Talaga bang pinepeste niyo ako at niyang Hot N’ Cold na ‘yan! Tugtugin niyo ulit yan at babasagin ko ang plaka niyo! Ang ingay niyo talaga! Katandang tao iyan ang pinakikinggan! (Tony and Kikay Laughing) |
Voice | Kayo ang tumigil diyan! Basagin niyo plato namin at babasagin ko mukha ninyo! |
| Lights Off |
Thank you so much for sharing this story in your blog. It helps me in complying the requirement of the course.
TumugonBurahinBriefly discuss the dramatic structure of the play "New Yorker in Tondo" , including the overall diagram of exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action. Is the drama composed of a number of small actions leading up to one big one?
TumugonBurahin