BOUNCE

Bibo Reyes as Peter Simonds & Amos Francia as Jason McConnell

Ateneo’s BlueREPERTORY tells an unconventional tale of star-crossed lovers, two angst-ridden gay teenagers in their recently concluded masterpiece “Bare the Musical.” Campus heartthrob Jason McConnell (Joseph Amos Francia) has been roommates and lovers with the religious Peter Simonds (Bibo Reyes) the entire four years they have been in St. Cecilia’s Boarding School. Jason, being the eye-candy in the prestigious Catholic school, supresses Peter from coming out of the closet.

A disillusioned Peter Simonds

However, the more conservative Peter dissuades his lover from revealing their secret yet admits jealousy when Jason acts all friendly towards Queen Bee Ivy Robinson (Oli del Rosario, alternately played by Delphine Buencamino) who, incidentally, has been crushing on Jason for the longest time. During Ivy’s surprise birthday bash that was planned by her persistent suitor Matt Lloyd (Bym Buhain), the drunk “it” girl pursues Jason in his dorm room. Jason agrees to sleep with the birthday girl as he himself is distraught from the sudden break up with Peter.

Jason dies in the arms of bestfriend and lover Peter.

After spring break, both Jason and Peter realize that what they have is real so they get back together despite the plaguing uncertainties that surround them. Unfortunately for Jason, who has been pressured with graduation, with his role as Romeo in their school play “Romeo and Juliet” and most especially with his secret relationship with Peter, Ivy reveals that their one-night stand bore fruit. All these push Jason to overdose on a drug purchased from classmate Lucas Carter (Altair Alonso), causing him to die in the arms of his lover Peter on the night of their stage play.

Sincere in every moment, “Bare the Musical” perfectly and tragically captures the demons of high school with the two lead characters proving that true love does exist in all forms.

Photos by Pin Calacal