What in the highest level of AI generated slop is this sh*t?!
That was what I had hoped I'd be writing for my review of PETA's "Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t It's Live Sa Cheter!". Because I don't know if it's just me but I've noticed in the past year or so of the Golden Age of Philippine Theatre, most reviewers are almost always looking to come up with the most catchy (catchiest?) quotable quote that would look nice when posted on Instagram and Meta.
Nothing wrong with that I guess but some just sound so generic and unoriginal and well, as a matter of preference, that is not my preference.
But that "AI generated slop" line was still in my head as I sat there in the balcony during gala night, separated from my usual theatre-watching buddies and seated between two ladies I didn't know.
To be clear though, I've always thought that the balcony seats at PETA are the best seats. I get an unobstructed view unlike when I'm in 2nd row at the floor seats where I would sometimes strain my neck trying to see around the tall person in the first row. So when I got my balcony ticket, I was thrilled. But when I found out my friends aren't, I immediately grabbed them to go to the LocaLoka stand to share a tequila shot... followed by a second, a third, a fourth, then a cocktail. Ignored the milk tea totally. Lels.
Understandably, even before the show started, I was already buzzed. So when Ms. Eugene Domingo came out wielding a tennis racquet, I could tell I would be having a good time that night.
The dinner scene that followed was what we saw during the press preview weeks before and for me, that is the best part of Septic Tank 4. To be openly talking about things the Philippine theatre luminaries only dare speak about in private is not only very much on brand for the franchise, but it displays bravery. These are topics that non-theatre fanatics might not be privy to.
So for the actors, though playing fictionalized versions of themselves, to be making fun of the current state of Philippine theatre and the people involved in it for the public's entertainment is, dare I say, a bold move. In my head, however, it could have been bolder. And I understood because, as in any creative industry, there are things that still need to remain sacred.
I haven't read any other review yet despite Septic Tank 4 already being in its 4th week but I guess I'll be stating the obvious by saying that it's a very funny play and you can see how much fun the actors are having. If you catch the winks and nods by the cast via the various references and Easter eggs, it gets funnier. But trust me, it's funniest with more vodka shots as I can't even remember how hard I laughed despite being around people I didn't know in the balcony area.
During intermission, my theater media friends and I immediately went to The Soulfood Truck for some nourishment and I guess another shot of tequila was had. I missed the start of the second act as I was still eating outside when it began. As soon as I was allowed in, I had to wait to get to my seat as direk Marlon Rivera and Josh, Joshua, Joshy were there. So as I stood there a few feet behind them, I tried to steal glances at the stage below to see that they were doing rehearsals for the play within the play.
I won't talk about what happens next as I don't want to spoil anything so I'll jump right into why I suddenly realized after the curtain call that my "AI generated slop" line wouldn't work.
The writing for Septic Tank 4 is--I hope a reviewer already said this--genius. To understand the importance of self-deprecating humor, even in success, is something very human. It shows humility that most might be able to relate to. Even the nods and the winks I said earlier, a highly advanced machine would never be able to come up with that because those are based on interpersonal experiences and you have to be a human to appreciate it.
As to whether Philippine theatre is in its Golden Age, I would have agreed to that a month or so ago but I realized recently that there are still some important things that need to happen. So while Septic Tank 4 intends to entertain and make its audience forget about their worries and laugh a lot, it is for me, another brave step towards that. And it should inspire everyone who goes to watch it to be creatively brave no matter what industry they belong to.
But more importantly, it is, in my opinion a celebration of our shared humanity. Sh*t happens and it happens to the best of us. Our ability to rise above it, as proven time after time by our heroine, is what needs to be remembered and kept in our hearts and minds.
I've heard of some who didn't particularly like how Septic Tank 4 ends but if you look back to the dinner scene and listen to the things being said, you'd realize that the ending actually makes perfect sense.
I don't want a catchy closing line so I will simply write what I always say to my theatre friends, "we should normalize drinking tequila every gala night. Also, a Septic Tank 4.5 could work.
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