#TheaterPH - The Sitcom Defense: Why Staying Fine Is Sometimes the Hardest Burden We Carry
Sitting in a living room surrounded by family after a challenging week, someone inevitably cracks a quick joke to lighten the heavy air. We fall into familiar roles without thinking twice: the one who cleans up every messy corner, the one who lets frustration boil over, the one who quietly observes from an armchair, or the one who performs on cue to keep everyone laughing. Using humor or busy routines as a personal shield turns out to be our most natural defense mechanism when life gets uncomfortable. Pretending everything is completely fine often feels much safer than admitting we are breaking down inside.
That universal struggle with grief, mental health, and masked emotions takes center stage this November in Cebu City. Presented by 2TinCans Philippines Inc. and The Kabilin Center as part of the monthly theater series Kulukabildo II: Stories in Direct Light, the original play I Am Normal invites audiences to look beyond surface-level composure. Staged on November 7 at 7:00 PM and November 8 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM at The Kabilin Center, the family drama creates an intimate space to explore what happens when keeping up appearances becomes a way of running away from painful truths.
Written and directed by emerging Cebuano theater artist Ciara Baricuatro, the narrative follows the Dimaano family as they attempt to process a profound shared loss. Each member grieves in a starkly different way: Ian performs, Fern rages, Helen organizes, and Lolo quietly watches. Central to the story is Ian, a boy who turns to classic sitcoms as his primary coping strategy. By hiding behind humor, performance, and the predictable comfort of fictional TV worlds, he tries to navigate heavy emotions he cannot directly confront. His internal fight captures the intense pressure many of us feel to remain relentlessly positive, fiercely independent, and functional even while carrying silent burdens.
Developing I Am Normal proved to be a deeply personal journey for Baricuatro, marking her debut as both playwright and director. Drafted nine months prior to its staging, the script underwent extensive revisions to turn a simple concept into a layered exploration of emotional protection. Developed independently with guidance from her directing mentor, 2TinCans Managing Director Charlene Virlouvet, the production represents a major milestone in Baricuatro's artistic career.
Bringing these complex family dynamics to life is a talented cast featuring Alexus Libarnes, Ernest Aleonar, Isabella Villarojo, and Vince Lopez, supported by stage manager Kjaran Dalay. Production photography was brought together through a creative collaboration with SHS Arts & Design at Southwestern University PHINMA School of Design + Communication, under the guidance of Prof. John Paul “Lakan” Olivares. Recommended for audiences aged 13 and above due to mature themes surrounding mental health and grief, the play serves as a featured showcase for the organization's directors' training program. Rooted in the Bisaya concept of kulukabildo—meaning informal exchange—the series provides a dedicated platform for eight emerging Cebuano directors to share distinct artistic visions with their local community.
Stepping away from our daily hustle to watch raw human stories unfold gives us permission to drop our own armor. Reconnecting with our true vulnerabilities reminds us that nobody has to perform or pretend to be okay all the time, and that real healing begins only when we allow ourselves to speak the unspoken truths we hold inside.
Comments
Post a Comment