FLIPZOIDS: a reading presented by the UNSRC Philippine Cultural Society.

While the United Nations is solving worldwide migration issues, a large number of Asian-American immigrants are struggling with the attendant socio-cultural problems. It is in this context that the the Philippine Cultural Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNSRC) invited the Ma-Yi Theater Company to bring to the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium on 23 June one of its outstanding plays that garnered several awards in the New York theatre scene.

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"FLIPZOIDS", a tale of three Filipino-Americans and the universal search of immigrants to connect in a new homeland, is a brilliant play created by Filipino-American playwright Ralph Pena. Liza Bulos competently played Vangie, a nurse who thrills in learning new English words while coping with "melting" into her adoptive country. She is frustrated that her mother, Aying, who constantly reminds her of the virtues of the old country, cannot assimiliate in the land of milk and honey. Isolda Oca played her role passionately as Aying, who desperately longs to go to her hometown, the memories of which she has kept in her heart for her daughter who had brought her to California. Timothy Mullaney brilliantly portrayed Redford, a young man who is so thoroughly assimilated that he despairs of finding his identity. From their funny and uneasy conversations in a nearby California beach, Redford and Aying develop a parent-child bond, which Redford craved from his parents and Aying sought from her daughter Vangie.

Director Andrew Eisenman brought the trio into a well-woven successful drama so engaging to watch and listen to, "A superb performance. Those were the most enjoyable one and a half hours of listening to and watching three wonderful actors bring back a flood of memories of years gone by." Ralph Pena deserved the Obie award for this profound 1996 play. Bravo to the cast, director and playwright!