Gong Dong CheA Stage Play by RA Fernandez A bunch of High School Students try to put together a presentation but their own personal disagreements get in the way.
Gong Dong Che
By
Ryan Austin Fernandez
The Migz Musical
Copyright Ryan Austin Compostela Valley
Fernandez 2011 2nd Year Level
4th Quarter
S.Y. 2010-2011
High School Unit
Elizabeth Seton School
Cast of Characters
Ymara: Ymara Margarita P. Yap
Owen: Adrian Owen N. Cantillas
Sang Woo: Sang Woo Gwun
Aika: Aika T. Romey
Clutch: Clutch Patrick H. Martin
Marise: Mary Louise J. Madlangbayan
Sean: Sean Poldric G. Asprec
Renz: Micherenz O. Guioguio
Sr. Leo: Sebastian P. Gumapas
Sr. Jojo: Mo-on D. Curiba
Ms. Mac: Arianne Camille P. Vicencio
Pat: Patricia G. Agbayani
Sr. Mike: Jeffrey Miguel A. Cobarrubias
Giannina: Giannina Randi M. Tiempo
Dorothy: Dorothy Anne D. Field
Executive Producer: Ryan Austin Fernandez
Co-Produced by: Rica Mayella L. Kamal Singh
Produced by: Marie Antoinette V. Jimenez
Ymara Margarita P. Yap
: Justine T. Olaivar Aleczandra
Maye P. Barba
Written And Directed by: Ryan Austin Fernandez
ACT I
1 "No Life Like High School Life" 1
The students are just talking casually. Then
suddenly, Ymara Margarita Yap starts singing.
"No Life Like High School Life" is performed...
2 AP Project 2
The students are in AP class. The teacher, Sr. Leo
Busito, is having a discussion.
SR. LEO
Now, for this quarter, your project will be simple. You
will make a presentation as a class showcasing the
cultures of different Asian countries.
Ymara raises her hand.
SR. LEO
Yes, Ymara?
She stands up.
YMARA
When can we start planning.
SR. LEO
Maybe, tomorrow. Even later, lunch. Wait. Let me
finish.
She sits down.
SR. LEO
First, we have to appoint your director. I recommend
someone who knows the basics of theatricality because
your presentation will be in the form of a dance.
The class complains in unison.
SR. LEO
Everyone, calm down. Okay, who will be your director?
AIKA
SIR! OWEN!
OWEN
What?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
SR. LEO
Owen, do you want to be the director?
OWEN
Sir, no!
YMARA
Come on, Owen. You can do it!
Owen thinks about it for a while.
SR. LEO
Come on, Owen. It’s your time to shine.
OWEN
Okay, fine.
The class cheers in unison.
SR. LEO
There is one thing though. The cheerleaders will be
making their own presentation.
Pat, the lead cheerleader, stands up in protest
PAT
WHAT?!
SR. LEO
Ex, easy lang!
PAT
Why do we have to make our own presentation?
SR. LEO
So there would be balance. Most of the cheerleaders are
in this section.
PAT
All of the cheerleaders are in this section. The rest
are from the higher batches.
SR. LEO
But they won’t be making a presentation.
Pat couldn’t reply to this.
SR. LEO
Now sit down.
Pat sits down bitterly.
3.
3 Dis-Unity 3
CV is on the bridge. Ms. Mac is the
teacher-in-charge.
MS. MAC
Okay, today, we won’t be having our normal CCF class.
Instead, we will just have a single assessment of you
guys. Let’s begin. I want you to group yourselves by
friends.
The class does so. Owen goes with Sean and Jasvir.
Marise goes with Kristina, AD, Pat, and Tasha.
Ymara goes with Maan. Sang Woo goes with Renz,
Giannina, Aika, Jericho, and Clutch.
MS. MAC
So far, we have four groups. Now what if these friends
of yours were absent or not here, who would you go
with? If you really can’t find anyone, you can stick
with your old group. Regroup yourselves, now.
Owen was now with Sean, Marise, Kristina, and
Jasvir. Ymara goes with Sang Woo, Aika, Maan,
Clutch, Renz, Giannina, Jericho, and AD. Tasha and
Pat stick together.
MS. MAC
So from four groups, you only have three. Now what if
these friends are absent? Who will you go with? Once
again, if you can’t find another group, you can stick
with your old one. Go.
Everybody goes into one group now except for Pat
and Tasha.
MS. MAC
Looks like there still more than one group. From four,
you became three, and now, you are two. We’ve already
been together for a few months, we should be united
already, as one.
SANG WOO
(softly)
Gong dong che...
MS. MAC
What was that, Sang Woo?
SANG WOO
Nothing, Miss. Sorry.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
MS. MAC
So that’s pretty much it. I just want the entire
Compostela Valley to be united as soon as possible.
4 "Foreign Customs" 4
Ymara is holding a meeting for the presentation.
Owen is standing next to her.
YMARA
Okay guys, we’re going to need a choreographer,
preferably someone who knows a lot about foreign
culture.
OWEN
Why? We don’t need that. We just need the internet.
YMARA
True but...
Sang Woo raises his hand.
YMARA
Sang Woo! Yes?
SANG WOO
I would like to volunteer.
YMARA
Sure!
OWEN
Great, just great.
YMARA
Anything wrong?
OWEN
No, I just want to condense this presentation with the
Philippine culture.
YMARA
The presentation is supposed to tackle the different
cultures, not just ours.
SANG WOO
There are many other countries we can use, you know?
OWEN
Yeah, I know that.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
SANG WOO
I can help.
OWEN
I am not denying your capability to help. I am denying
your capability to match up with my vision.
YMARA
And what is that?
OWEN
I just told you moments ago.
YMARA
The Philippine idea? Our culture is great, Owen. I love
it but it’s all about objective here. Our objective is
to showcase the cultures of the different countries in
Asia: From the north to the south to the west to our
very own area, the southeast.
Paul starts singing which leads to "Foreign
Customs"
OWEN
Okay, Foreign Customs. I get it. Now, care to elaborate
on these foreign customs. I need substance over style,
not the other way around.
YMARA
I think it should be balanced.
OWEN
Go on...
YMARA
We’re showcasing the cultures but at the same time, we
are presenting a dance. We need theatricality, which is
why we wanted you, Owen.
OWEN
I’m not all for theatricality.
SEAN
I object! You directed the Sparkling Moonlight
OWEN
That was eight months ago.
MAAN
And Jumping Dragons
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
RENZ
I remember that one! It’s the one where the dragons
were jumping!
OWEN
Thank you, Renz, for that wonderful insight. Anyway,
those were in the past.
YMARA
Tell, me, Owen, why?
Owen remained silent.
OWEN
Why don’t I want to direct another theatrical show?
Well, two words, The Return of the Jumping Dragons.
RENZ
That’s the sequel of the one where the dragons were
jumping!
OWEN
Once again, thank you. Anyway, I wanted to take it a
notch up. I tried to make it the most theatrical thing
I ever directed. But something happened.
YMARA
What?
OWEN
I overloaded the lights and speakers and the theater we
performed in was down for a week.
YMARA
Why don’t you try balancing it more this time?
OWEN
I’m not sure if I could.
CLUTCH
Hey! We’ll help!
GIANNINA
Me too!
YMARA
Hey, We got your back. That’s what Ms. Mac was telling
us earlier today. We have to stay united.
SANG WOO
Gong Dong Che
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
SEAN
What is that you’re saying? It’s been bugging me all
day.
SANG WOO
Sorry. Never mind.
SEAN
Come on!
YMARA
Ok. Owen, Sang Woo, we need to finish the initial plan
ASAP.
AIKA
Can I help choreograph?
YMARA
Sure!
AIKA
Thanks!
YMARA
Let’s go over to my place. We’ll finish the plans
tonight.
OWEN
Aika’s buying pizza.
AIKA
What?
YMARA
Okay guys, that’s it for today. See you tomorrow!
Everyone moves out of the room and the first act
ends.
8.
ACT II
5 Starting Out 5
They are once again in the Rehearsal Room.
YMARA
Come on, guys! More energy!
They are performing an interpretative dance.
OWEN
I WANT..., no, NEED MORE ENERGY!
SANG WOO
Flow like the water!
OWEN
Excuse me, Paul, but I am the director.
SANG WOO
Excuse me, good sir but I, am the choreographer and I
am choreographing this interpretative dance. The music
is fluent as the water therefore, so should the
dancers.
OWEN
Well, I guess you don’t need me then?
SANG WOO
No, Owen, we need you to direct the actors but you need
me to direct the dance sequence.
OWEN
The whole presentation IS A DANCE SEQUENCE! THAT IS THE
WHOLE POINT!
SANG WOO
Then I’m pretty sure what I’m doing is just right.
Owen grabs Sang Woo by the collar.
OWEN SANG WOO
Why don’t you just Why don’t you
return to Korea just return to
Yugoslavia? This is
a presentation, we’re
supposed to be....
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
OWEN
Be what? huh?
SANG WOO
(whispered)
Gong Dong Che
OWEN
Gong Bang Che? WHAT IS THAT?
Owen throws Sang Woo across the room but he
doesn’t go that far.
OWEN
Wait, where the heck is Yugoslavia?
SANG WOO
I don’t know, clearly you don’t know where it is. It is
your place, therefore you do not know your place.
OWEN
Why don’t you look in a mirror!
YMARA
GUYS! SHUT UP! WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING TOGETHER!
Owen and Sang Woo stand in silence. Eventually,
Owen speaks.
OWEN
He started it.
SANG WOO
What do you mean I started it?
OWEN SANG WOO
You started telling I was doing my duty as
them what to do! choreographer
YMARA
SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP, STOP IT!
Owen and Sang Woo stop.
YMARA
Owen, Paul is just doing his job. We assigned him as
choreographer, he is choreographing. You are the
assigned director, you should be directing. IN short,
you two should be working TOGETHER!
Owen and Sang Woo stand in silence.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
SANG WOO
Fine, I’ll be the better man and apologize. I’m sorry I
told you to go to Yugoslavia.
OWEN
What do you mean, bigger man?
Ymara glares at Owen.
OWEN
Okay, fine, I accept.
Ymara continues glaring.
OWEN
And... I apologize as well.
Owen and Sang Woo shake hands.
YMARA
(faces the dancers)
Okay guys, that’s the first movement. Today we have
India, tomorrow, Korea!
They hear a knock on the door.
AIKA
I’ll get it.
Aika opens the door. Marise was there.
AIKA
It’s Marise.
YMARA
What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with
the cheerleaders?
MARISE
Well, Pat started shouting at everyone so I started
protesting. Then she kicked me out of the cheerleader
squad. Sr. Leo told me to go here.
RENZ
Welcome to the family! Well actually, you were always
part of the family but you were brought out of the...
Renz continues as Ymara approaches Marise.
YMARA
I’m aware you used to record conversations for the
school paper?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
MARISE
Used to but I still have a tape recorder with me all
the time.
YMARA
Good, do you mind if you record everything that happens
in rehearsals, for documentation purposes?
MARISE
I’d love to. Oh, yeah, Sr. Leo said that this
presentation was also going to joint with our Music and
Art Subjects. We can rehearse during their periods.
YMARA
THAT’S GREAT!
Owen approached Marise.
OWEN
Are you willing to wear stupid clothing?
MARISE
Sure, if it’ll help.
SANG WOO
What do you mean by stupid clothing?
OWEN
Nothing, I don’t mean anything.
SANG WOO
You really are starting to get on my nerves
YMARA
Owen...
OWEN
Why me? He’s picking a fight.
AIKA
Can you stop being racist? We can’t have a racist
director directing a play about Asian cultures. It will
be discriminating.
OWEN
(pointing at Sang Woo)
Well why don’t you guys make him director then?
YMARA
Fine. Sang Woo, you’re director.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
OWEN
I was kidding!
YMARA
I wasn’t. Marise, do you mind telling Sr. Leo about the
change?
MARISE
Not at all. I’ll go now.
YMARA
Thanks!
As Marise exits the room, there’s another guy on
the door. His name is Clutch.
CLUTCH
Hey guys! Sorry I’m late.
RENZ
Where have you been lover boy?
CLUTCH
Look who’s talking.
Renz shuts up and went to a corner.
YMARA
That doesn’t matter. Paul, can you choreograph some new
steps to accommodate Marise and Owen?
SANG WOO
Sure.
OWEN
Wait, are you telling me I have to dance?
YMARA
We can’t just kick you out, unless you want to join the
cheerleaders.
OWEN
Heck, no!
YMARA
Then welcome to the dancing crew. Get ready to wear
some colorful costumes.
Owen growls at this.
13.
6 Romances and Cheerleader Ego 6
It’s break time and the entire cast of Compostela
Valley, except for Sang Woo, who was purchasing
his lunch, is eating in one spot.
RENZ
He’s okay but compared to Jacob, Well, he’s a whole
’nother story.
SEAN
Can we please talk about something else. I mean, Renz,
look around, no one is listening.
RENZ
Jacob rules all but still, I can’t understand why some
people are still not Team Jacob. He;s definitely
SEAN
Just shut up! For once, let me think!
MARISE
Anyone like to talk about Clutch’s mysterious escapades
that always make him late for rehearsals?
Everyone agrees in unison except for Owen.
SEAN
Hey, Owen.
He doesn’t respond, chewing on his burger.
YMARA
Owen!
Still no response.
SEAN
Owen, dude!
OWEN
What?
SEAN
You haven’t said a thing all lunch. What’s wrong?
OWEN
Why don’t you ask yourselves.
RENZ
You’re Team Jacob huh?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
OWEN
Shut up, Renz!
YMARA
Hey, I’m sorry if I was trying to save the show but
you’re fights with Paul were just getting too below the
belt!
Sang Woo enters, carrying his lunch.
OWEN
Holy crap, here comes the platoon
YMARA
What is the deal with you, Owen?!
SANG WOO
Hey guys! What are you talking about?
YMARA
Clutch’s escapades. Come on, Clutch. Tell him.
CLUTCH
It’s lunch time, we should be eating.
SEAN
Come on Clutch. Tell us the truth or we’ll conclude
that you’re just too busy hanging out with the
cheerleaders.
CLUTCH
I don’t see anything wrong with that.
RENZ
Do you think Pat is Team...
SANG WOO
That would be conspiring with the opponent instead of
being Gong Dong Che.
SEAN
Exactly, Sang Woo, whatever that means and I really
wish you’d tell us. We could accuse you of that,
Clutch. Just bite the bullet and tell us.
CLUTCH
Fine, I’m hanging out with this girl.
The rest of them except for Renz and Owen applaud.
SEAN
Congratulations, Clutch. Aha
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
CLUTCH
Well, anyway. She’s the best. We just understand each
other and
PAT
Hahaha. That’s charming. I feel like crying right now.
They turn around and the cheerleaders are there.
OWEN
What do you want?
PAT
We’re just here to tell you that our presentation is
going to kick your presentation’s a*s.
YMARA
Wow, creative use of words there. Do you even have a
decent writer?
PAT
Yeah! We have the best.
RENZ
Who? Your guinea pig?
SEAN
Dude, not funny!
RENZ
I was trying to insult...
SEAN
Don’t make jokes like that. It’s annoying.
PAT
No, Renz. We don’t even have guinea pigs.
Ymara stands up and turns to face them.
YMARA
Who are you to just walk in on us while we’re eating
and tell us that you’re better?
The cheerleaders perform the "Bring It On
Cheerleader Song - CV Edition"
The group stares at them.
RENZ
You must be stupid.
The group laughs at this joke.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
SEAN
Now that’s funny!
RENZ
Gracias
They all stop laughing.
SEAN
Rule number two. Don’t break your own joke.
PAT
You’ll see. We’ll kick your asses before the quarter is
over, in the competition, or out!
They walk away.
YMARA
Seriously, what is their problem?
7 Stress, Stress, STRESS 7
They are in the classroom in Biology class with
Sr. Jojo.
SR. JOJO
Okay class. Here in the mouth, we have the sublingual
gland, the submandibular gland, and the parotid gland.
They all copy.
SR. JOJO
So far, you get it?
They say yes.
SR. JOJO
Oh, yes. How is your presentation coming?
YMARA
We’re doing great sir.
SR. JOJO
I heard the cheerleaders are going all crazy in their
rehearsals.
PAT
(proudly)
Yes, sir. We are. We’re just trying to provide the best
performance we can do for the sake of the school.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
SR. JOJO
Very well. Done copying everyone?
They say yes. Sr. Jojo then turns around the
board.
SR. JOJO
Okay, without looking at your notes, what are the
glands we can find in the mouth?
Froilan raises his hand.
SR. JOJO
Yes, Froilan?
FROILAN
Mammary Gland!
The class breaks into laughter, Sr. Jojo as well.
Later that day, they are now in the rehearsal room
again, Sr. Mike guarding over them.
SANG WOO
Ymara, try to bend a little further.
Ymara follows.
SANG WOO
Just feel the music flowing through you. This is your
life, the tranquil music. It is defining you, your
mind, your shape, your form. Here comes the crescendo.
The music reaches the crescendo.
SANG WOO
Lift, raise, up, spin, and split.
They follow the routine ’til the end.
SANG WOO
And... that’s it! Very good guys.
YMARA
Thanks, Paul.
OWEN
I didn’t think it was that good.
YMARA
Not now, Owen.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 18.
AIKA
Why do you guys keep on fighting? We’re all the same on
the inside. And I don’t mean just the humanity. We are
all members of Compostela Valley. Just for the
remaining two months, can you two not argue?
Owen and Sang Woo keep quiet.
YMARA
Okay, now that that’s settled, let’s decide on the
final act of the show.
OWEN
Let’s showcase South Korean culture so that there will
be no more arguments. Isn’t that what Aika wants?
SANG WOO
You have a really big problem don’t you?
YMARA
Paul, any suggestions?
SANG WOO
I think we should go with Owen’s plan.
OWEN
Wait, wait, wait, wait, WAIT! You are actually agreeing
with me?
SANG WOO
I mean your old plan. I mean the play starts here for a
few seconds, segues into Indian, then Korean, Chinese,
Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, and finally a mixture of
the central countries and the Middle East, I think the
grand finale should be the route back, back to the
country from which the producers of this production are
from. Objectively speaking, since you guys are the
stars of the show, I think we should end with a bang
and what better way to do that than to return to your
own country?
They thought about this for a while.
RENZ
I like it!
SEAN
For once, I agree with Renz, and likewise, Sang Woo.
MARISE
You really have something going on there.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
MAAN
We should do just that.
YMARA
All in favor?
They agree in unison, except, predictably, for
Owen.
OWEN
I... don’t know.
SANG WOO
Well, I picked the perfect time to make a suggestion.
It’s 6:30 people. Owen, you can tell me your decision
tomorrow. I won’t go on unless you agree.
OWEN
(defensively)
Are you implying something? What does my opinion
matter?
SANG WOO
Technically, to us, it doesn’t but I chose to consider
it. My reason is because we are one group and if you
don’t agree, we might as well just let you direct all
over again. But that wouldn’t be...
OWEN
Gong Dong Che?
The bell rings and they all leave except for Owen
and Sang Woo.
SANG WOO
Think about it for a while. You have all night.
Sang Woo marched out.
8 Quitters 8
They are all in the rehearsal room again.
SANG WOO
We have to get this perfect!
YMARA
More energy! Maximum Energy! This is an Indian Dance,
we need the most energy we can fit in this segment!
Owen enters the room, looking like a mess.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
SANG WOO
Everyone, stop!
SEAN
Holy crap, Owen, what happened to you?
OWEN
I overslept, that;’s what happened.
YMARA
Well, do you agree or dis agree.
OWEN
How about I take a third option and say, let’s just
make it like the ending of The Return of the Jumping
Dragons only with less intensity.
SANG WOO
My idea would not need that much intensity.
OWEN
Well, the climax of the show has to be intense. The
Return of the Jumping Dragons was too intense for its
own good. If we take it down a notch, it should fit.
SANG WOO
But I think
OWEN
I have had enough of your thoughts! I WAS DIRECTOR IN
THE BEGINNING! I AM TAKING BACK MY PRODUCTION!
YMARA
Guy’s stop it!
OWEN
Ymara, for one moment, can you please just let me
SPEAK MY MIND?! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS PERSON
BOSSING ME AROUND.
YMARA
He is the director. He is only doing his job.
SANG WOO
If you don’t like me doing my job then maybe you should
just join the cheerleaders.
OWEN
Maybe I should just force the cheerleaders to take you!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
SANG WOO OWEN
That was real Insults don’t have
creative, Owen. You to be creative. They
are so good with just have to make the
insults. I bet if other person feel like
you started insulting complete crap while
my mother, my father the insulter gets
wouldn’t even think the final lau... Why
to touch you since you you self centered,
couldn’t even insult arrogant piece of
a retarded ape with a crap! I can insult
brain the size of your your entire existence
sense of humor. and you would cease to
exist.
YMARA
STOP IT! I CANNOT STAND THIS ANYMORE! I QUIT! YOU CAN
COUNT ME OUT OF THIS PRODUCTION. All i do in here is
try to keep it together while you two keep on shouting
at each other again and again and again like two kids
fighting over an action figure! I can’t take it
anymore. Find another lead dancer, I quit!
Ymara storms out of the room. Everyone remains
silent.
SANG WOO
(sarcastically)
Nice work Owen.
OWEN
Will you just shut up!
AIKA
STOP! I agree with everything Ymara said. You two are
intolerable!
Aika storms out.
SEAN
Ditto. I’m out of here.
Soon everyone except for Renz, Clutch and Marise
left.
SANG WOO
Aren’t you going to leave as well?
OWEN
halfymembers.me to? Now that we only have four and a
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
MARISE
Can you two just stop it? This is it! The entire
production is over just because our ex-director is a
fricking racist!
OWEN
If you can’t bear me, just leave.
MARISE
And what? Put what crap remains of this production in
jeopardy? No.
CLUTCH
I don’t know why I’m staying but it looks like I agree
with Marise. I’ll do it for the sake of what remains of
CV.
RENZ
Same here.
CLUTCH
I’ll do it for her too.
SANG WOO
Guys, I don’t know how I can put this back together.
MARISE
We can still beat those cheerleaders.
RENZ
Yeah. There’s five of us, they only have three.
SANG WOO
You guys are the best. Thanks for staying.
CLUTCH
Let’s do this.
9 Falling Apart 9
The remaining members arrive in the rehearsal
room. Sang Woo goes to the cassette player and
plays the music. Oddly, nothing comes out.
SANG WOO
That’s odd. Where’s the tape?
Sang Woo starts looking around.
SANG WOO
Renz, Owen, Marise, Clutch, try looking for our tape.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
RENZ
Sure.
They look some more. They find nothing.
SANG WOO
Great, how do we fix the presentation this time?
RENZ
Why do these things always happen to us?
Sr. Jojo comes in.
SR. JOJO
What happened to you guys?
SANG WOO
The others left. They gave up.
SR. JOJO
Any specific reason for that?
SANG WOO
Owen and I kept on arguing.
SR. JOJO
Oh... Well, what do you plan to do about it?
OWEN
We’re trying to put it back together but we seem to
have lost our tape.
SR. JOJO
Well, in times like these, you just need to keep aiming
for what you want.
OWEN
We want to beat the cheerleaders.
SR. JOJO
Is that really your true objective?
OWEN
I r-r-really don’t know anymore.
SR. JOJO
This should not be a competition. You should just be
aiming to give us the best show possible.
CLUTCH
We can’t do this on our own now.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
SR. JOJO
Say, I’ll try talking to the other guys. I mean, where
will they go? They need their grade for this project.
MARISE
Good point.
SR. JOJO
I’ll do what I can. Just keep on aiming for what you
truly want.
SANG WOO
Okay, Sir Jojo.
OWEN
Thank you for all the help.
10 Abolishing the Differences 10
They’re trying to rehearse with a bootleg tape.
SANG WOO
More passion, more energy!
They’re performing a miniature version of the
original product.
SANG WOO
Clutch. I noticed you weren’t dancing as passionately
as before. What’s wrong?
CLUTCH
She... she fell in love with my best friend.
MARISE
What?!
CLUTCH
I don;t know what happened! It just did! I couldn’t
believe it! She was leading me on for two months! TWO
MONTHS!
RENZ
Holy crap.
CLUTCH
The FS Night, all those times, it was all a lie. When I
first told you guys about it, it had been going on for
a long time since then, that was only the time when I
started feeling that wonderful feeling.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
MARISE
Aww, Clutch. I’m sure you’ll make it through this.
PAT
What’s going on losers?
OWEN
Jeez H. Christopher, what do you want?
PAT
I’m just checking on my best friends, that’s all.
MARISE
We’re sort of in a dilemma here. Can yo just leave us
alone?
PAT
Well, I was going to tell you about how we borrowed
your tape and that we were going to give it back but
since you are in a dilemma, I guess you’d like to solve
that first.
From behind the guys comforting Clutch, Sang Woo
stood up and charged to the front of the group.
SANG WOO
Excuse me, this is a private session. This room is
reserved by the non-cheerleaders of II - Compostela
Valley and you are clearly a cheerleader. This room is
out of bounds for people like you! If it would not be
much of a burden, I - an I’m pretty sure I can speak
for the rest of us - would really appreciate it if you
would just go back to your own group and go back to
rehearsing your presentation.
Pat looked humiliated. Everyone else had a smile
on their face, even Clutch was faintly smiling.
PAT
Fine, but let me just tell you that we are done with
our presentation and in two weeks, you can say hello to
our shoes when they make contact with your asses.
RENZ
You’re really fond of our butts, aren’t you Patricia?
Renz stood up and went beside Sang Woo.
RENZ
I might not be the coolest out of these people but at
least I’m not a completely stuck-up and arrogant
show-off like you! I couldn’t possibly say it better
than Sang Woo, just go back and perfect your imperfect
little presentation. And we would like our tape back!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.
PAT
Why would I give it back, especially of how you talk to
me?
Marise went to the door, taking out a tape
recorder from her pocket.
MARISE
Because I have your confession on tape. Don’t you know?
I record all the rehearsals.
Pat looked heavily pissed off. She took out a tape
and shoved it in Renz’s face before storming off.
OWEN
Well, we have the tape, how do we fix the broken group
and the broken heart?
SANG WOO
We just will...
11 Putting Things Back Together 11
The group starts singing a montage of songs about
getting back up after a fall. It ends with them,
still alone, then Ms. Mac enters.
MS. MAC
Hello, CV. How are you guys?
SANG WOO
We’re well on our way back to the top.
MS. MAC
Sr. Jojo and I tried to talk to the others. They’re
still thinking about it.
OWEN
I just want to0 take back the things I said. I wish I
never said those things.
MS. MAC
Have you told them that? Have you told Sang Woo that?
OWEN
Not yet.
Here, a spark appears in Owen’s eyes...
27.
12 Catharsis 12
They are in the classroom. Art Class.
SR. MIKE
Okay, are you going to continue rehearsing now?
Ymara and the others remained silent.
SR. MIKE
I guess not.
Owen slowly raises his hand.
SR. MIKE
Yes, Owen?
OWEN
I would like to say a few words...
SR. MIKE
Go ahead.
He stands up and goes to the center.
OWEN
I would just like to apologize for my actions in the
past few days. I’d just like to say something... to
Sang Woo.
Snag Woo’s face lights up.
OWEN
Would you join me here?
Sang Woo slowly stands up and heads to the center.
OWEN
Sang Woo...
(He looks him in the eye)
I’d like to say sorry for anything I said or did that
might have, no, everything I said that offended you. I
ask you with the most humble heart for your
forgiveness.
Sang Woo stares at Owen for a while.
SANG WOO
Okay, I forgive you.
OWEN
And to the rest of Compostela Valley, I’d like to
apologize as well.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.
Everyone was silent.
SANG WOO
Come on everyone. Let’s all be Gong Dong Che again.
SEAN
Okay, I will but first, you tell us what that means.
SANG WOO
Fine. It simply means "United".
YMARA
That’s it! That’s the title we’re looking for! That’s
the name of our musical! Gong Dong Che!
SANG WOO
Right! All the cultures are different and yet we remain
as one continent.
OWEN
Even here, we are all very different but in the end we
are...
SANG WOO
Gong Dong Che... Wait, does this mean you’re back on
board?
YMARA
Well...
OWEN
While Ymara’s thinking about it, how about everyone
else?
SEAN
You can count me back in.
MAAN
Me, too.
JERICHO
Me, three.
Everyone else started agreeing in unison.
SANG WOO
Well, Ymara?
YMARA
Of course! I’m back in alright!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
OWEN
Good News, we got back together, Bad News, We have two
weeks left as of now.
SANG WOO
We have no choice but to get started, don’t we.
YMARA
Did you make some new parts?
OWEN
A few steps in all the segments, yes.
YMARA
Why don’t we put together the two presentations. Owen
can put together something that theatrical, can’t he?
SR. MIKE
As long as it’s more conservative than The Return of
the Jumping Dragons, you can do that. The Auditorium
would not be able to bear with that kind of damage.
OWEN
Fine, I’ll go back to my theatrical roots. Let’s do
this!
30.
ACT III
13 Cheerleaders Present 13
The Big Stage is all set up. The Cheerleaders are
prepping up on one side of the Stage, the rest of
CV on the opposite side.
MARISE
Man, they look ready.
RENZ
Is it safe to say that I’m scared.
SEAN
Renz, do us all a favor and stop being pessimistic,
you’re giving me a breakdown.
OWEN
No need to worry, Renz, we’ve practiced.
YMARA
We did all we can. We can do this.
SANG WOO
We’ll take them down, guys.
PAT
You seem confident, Sang Woo.
SANG WOO
Got a problem with that?
PAT
Well yeah, you’re wasting perfectly good confidence. We
all know we are going to-
SANG WOO
(together with some of the others)
Kick our a*s.
(alone)
YES! You said it more times than I can remember.
PAT
Well, it’s true anyway and you can kiss the first place
trophy goodbye!
SR. MIKE
May I have everyone’s attention?
Everyone turns their heads to Sr. Chris. Pat goes
back to her group.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.
SR. MIKE
Let us start this with a prayer.
They have the prayer.
SR. MIKE
Okay, now, let’s introduce our panel of judges. To do
that, we have, Lorenzo Miguel Canaveral!!
Everyone claps.
MIGZ
Good morning to all. Our first judge is an English
teacher in the second year level. She is none other
than the amazing, Miss Sharon Mercado!
Applause follows. Ms. Sharon waves.
MIGZ
Our Second Judge is a Mathematics teacher in the second
year level. Let’s give a round of applause for the
awesome, Sir Geck Banaag!
Applause follows. Sr. Geck waves.
MIGZ
Our third judge is the one and only computer teacher in
the second year level.
RENZ
(whispered)
Does anyone notice all these teachers are in the second
year level?
SEAN
Shut up and keep quiet.
RENZ
Isn’t that kinda redundant?
SEAN
SHHH!!!!
MIGZ
-the majestic, Ms. Laurice Lopez!
Applause follows. Ms. Laurice waves.
MIGZ
Our fourth judge is a music teacher from the second
year department.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
RENZ
(whispered)
Yes, see? It is all second year teachers!
MARISE
(turns to her right, Clutch is there)
Clutch, pass the message, tell Renz to shut up!
CLUTCH
(turns to his right, Sean is there)
Sean, pass the message, tell Renz to shut up!
SEAN
(turns to his right, Renz is there.)
Renz, pass the message, tell Renz to shut up!
RENZ
Sure!
(turns to his right, Owen is there.)
Owen, pass the message, tell Renz to shut up.
Owen stares at him weirdly. Sean, Marise, and
Clutch laugh.
MIGZ
ah..., Mister Crisostomo Aguda!
Applause follows. Sr. Chris waves.
MIGZ
And for our final judge, the chairman of the board, the
big honcho, the
Sr. Leo stares at Migz angrily.
MIGZ
The awesome, the handsome, the epic AP teacher from the
second year level, Mister Leo-John S. Busito
Applause follows. Sr. Leo waves. Migz steps down.
SR. MIKE
Okay, now that we’re done with the judges, let’s see
out first entry, the cheerleaders from the second year
batch.
The cheerleaders emerge in Asian costumes but
their performance has nothing to do with Asian
culture at all. The choreography, theatricality,
and effects are awesome but nothing much to do
with Asian culture.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.
SR. MIKE
(awkwardly)
Thank you for that wonderful presentation.
Awkward and far apart applause follows.
14 The Feature Presentation 14
A sign that says five performances later shows up.
SR. MIKE
For the final performance, let’s give it up for
COMPOSTELA VALLEY
OWEN
Okay guys, final pep talk. We’ve gone this far. We’ve
practiced for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a
week
RENZ
Actually...
SEAN
Shut up
OWEN
We will knock down the cheerleaders, especially
SANG WOO
We will destroy our foes
RENZ
We will obliterate the opposition via our extensive
rehearsals!
They all stare at Micherenz.
MARISE
What are we going to do about him?
CLUTCH
I don’t know, what do you think, Sean?
SEAN
I say we just not mind him.
RENZ
That’s a good strategy!
OWEN
Ymara, you ready?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.
YMARA
Of course!
OWEN
Sang Woo?
SANG WOO
For CV, anytime!
OWEN
Okay guys, let’s kick their
SR. MIKE
Any time now?
RENZ
Looks like Pat is the only person allowed to say the
a-word.
No one minds him
RENZ
Guys?
OWEN
POSITIONS!
Everyone goes to their positions.
The music starts and all the snippets from the
practices we have seen this far are now complete
and in logical order.
The Asian Culture is obvious from the very
beginning when it shows the Malaysian culture,
segues into Indian then South Korean, Chinese,
Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, Central Asia, in a
fast paced, Owen-style-theatrical, presentation.
SANG WOO
Big finale time. Ymara, ready?
The melody to Pinoy Ako starts playing.
YMARA
Lahat tayo mayroon pagkakaiba sa tingin pa lang ay
makikita na
OWEN
Iba’t ibang kagustuhan ngunit iisang patutunguhan
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 35.
RENZ
Gabay at pagmamahal ang hanap mo
CLUTCH
Magbibigay ng halaga sa iyo
SEAN
Nais mong ipakilala kung sino ka man talaga
Everyone comes in on the chorus. It’s cut short
right there as everyone lines up in front for the
final bow.
They go back to their seats.
15 Final Verdict 15
The Judges are now deliberating.
SR. MIKE
Looks like the judges are having a hard time
deliberating.
CLUTCH
Did we do well?
RENZ
I think we did great.
MAAN
I think we did really good.
JERICHO
Thumbs up.
MARISE
Shouldn’t we ask someone else?
YMARA
Hey, Migz, how did we do?
MIGZ
You did really good.
RENZ
See, I told you we did great.
MAAN
Actually, he said really good.
RENZ
Darn.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 36.
SR. MIKE
While waiting for the results, maybe we can have an
intermission number.
(he takes out a card and reads it)
"The Migz Musical" by Lorenzo Miguel Canaveral. Migz,
kindly step up.
MIGZ
(surprised)
WHAT THE F-
SR. MIKE
OKAY, THE RESULTS ARE IN!
MIGZ
Phew. Thank goodness! Hallelujah!
SR. MIKE
Sr. Leo? Take the mic?
Sr. Leo takes the Mic and steps onto the pedestal.
He takes out some index cards.
SR. LEO
Third Runner-up, South Cotabato!
(he flips to the next one)
Second Runner-up, Davao Oriental!
PAT
Yes! CV’s not yet called.
KRISTINA
Don’t get too confident!
PAT
Hmph! We already kicked their asses.
SR. LEO
First Runner-Up, Davao Del Norte!
PAT
Okay, Champion, the Cheerleaders. any time now.
SR. LEO
And the champions are, COMPOSTELA VALLEY!
The CV dancers jump up and cheer, Ms. Mac and Sr.
Jojo join in as well.
PAT
(loudly and rudely)
WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 37.
SR. LEO
Any Objections?
PAT
(panicked and quick)
But we dominated everyone. We were the most theatrical,
the most energetic, the most-
SR. LEO
Hey, hey, easy lang ex
Pat started to fume up at this point.
SR. LEO
Yes, your performance was energetic, it was amazing, it
was very well choreographed and it was theatrical but,
truth be told, that’s all it was.
PAT
Wha?
SR. LEO
In short, it wasn’t relevant except for your costumes.
You might just have the best costumes. Who designed
them?
TASHA
Me and Kristina.
PAT
Hey! I helped
KRISTINA
No, you were too busy mixing music and making dance
steps.
SR. LEO
On the other hand, the other sections simply knew what
they were aiming for.
KRISTINA
I told you it had to be relevant.
PAT
Hey, where would you be without me?
TASHA
Technically, first place.
KRISTINA
We could’ve been champions but we needed to be
cheerleaders instead.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.
MARISE
You know, you actually had the potential.
PAT
What do you mean? If you were with us?
MARISE
No. Like they said, if only you knew what you were
aiming at.
OWEN
Kudos for the theatricality though. You nearly beat the
Return of the Flaming Dragons.
SANG WOO
Congratulations, Kristina and Tasha for the accurate
costumes.
KRISTINA
(along with Tasha)
Thanks
Renz slowly went from behind.
RENZ
Pat, looks like this time, we kicked you in the a*s!
No one laughs.
SEAN
Renz, you are a sad, sad, man, and you have my pity.
PAT
I’ll beat you next year! I promise!
MARISE
I’m sorry Pat, but sequels always suck.
CLUTCH
I concur.
Pat storms off. Kristina and Tasha don’t budge.
SR. LEO
CV, kindly get your trophy up here.
They do this. When Owen receives CV’s trophy, Sr.
Leo takes hold of the mic.
SR. LEO
Owen, would you like to say something.
He hesitates for a while but soon takes the mic.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 39.
OWEN
Uhm... let me just say that first and foremost, I’m
glad this didn’t end up like The Return of the Flaming
Dragons. Now that that’s out of the way, I want to
thank Ymara, Aika, Clutch, Sean, Marise, Renz, and
everyone else for sticking with us ’til the end.
(Owen takes a deep breath)
But the person who I think, deserves the most of this
trophy, would be our director, Sang Woo Gwun. Without
him, this presentation would just be another Return of
the Flaming Dragons.
Owen hands it over to Sang Woo. He stares at it
for a while, quickly hands it to Micherenz and
rushes for a brotherly hug on Owen.
YMARA
I think this calls for a group hug.
CLUTCH
Way ahead of you.
Clutch moves forward as Ymara, Sean, Marise, and
the rest of the cast move in. Renz is too busy
cherishing the trophy, showing his classic smile.
16 "No Life Like High School Life
Reprise" 16
From the group hug, they all form a circle as
Ymara sings the first lines to "No Life Like High
School Life"
The rest of the song follows although in a much
more upbeat and epic tune.
At the very end, Renz is still holding the trophy,
Sang Woo approaches him and stares at him in
contempt.
RENZ
(insistent)
Just a little longer, please.
SANG WOO
Oh, fine, today is your day.
Sang Woo pats him on the back as he exits stage
left. The rest follow. Renz exits stage right.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.
© 2011 RA Fernandez |
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Added on May 20, 2011 Last Updated on May 20, 2011 Author
RA FernandezPhilippinesAboutI'm a simple man making my way through the universe. I do love writing as well and I'm still trying to improve my skill. more..Writing
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