Ang Pangalan nya’y Zsazsa.

He started out using his superpowers to make the unfortunate few look better than they have any right to be. She knocked out giant frogs, zombies and alien feminazis along the way. It’s great to see the iconic superhero of the modern Pinoy moving on to bigger and brighter things. 

  

Carlo Vergara’s Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah burst out of the literary closet with confetti in the air. It was groundbreaking in so many different levels. The comic/ graphic novel medium hasn’t been fully explored yet, and the Filipino language certainly did no favors for the usual upper-middle class audience. Not only was it written in Filipino, it was written in gay lingo Filipino. The narrative is familiar: average girl from a small province gets a magic stone that gives her the power to save mankind. But it is not so familiar. Instead of a girl, we have Ada, a gay man trying to lead an average life. And the magic stone that allows him to protect the people he loves (and turns him into Zaturnnah, a woman) seems to be the same thing that limits him from being all that he can be.  

The comic makes numerous references to popular culture, from Darna’s stone-swallowing to the villanous Amazonista’s names (Vilma S., Sharon C., Dina B., and Nora A.). Even the title is reminiscent of Jose Lacaba’s poem Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Juan dela Cruz. These elements coupled with your standard Pinoy humor makes the familiarization easier. Suddenly, it is not so strange. The funny fat sidekick, Didi, who falls into the category ’screaming parlor fag’ (apologies to anyone who finds the F-word offensive), successfully defends the straight and macho Dodong from attacking zombies. And why not? Sometimes, Prince Charming might need help from Prince Charing. 

Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal may be even better. Staged last year in CCP and PETA Theatre, Ada and Zaturnnah’s story felt all the more magical when put into song. Everything felt right. The musical play was able to highlight the best parts. It even expounded on certain themes that were been downplayed in the comic such as Ada’s rough relationship with his deceased father and Didi’s role as a homesexual/ comic relief. 

“Ada, bakit pati sila ay lumuluha? Dahil ba ‘pag pumanaw na ako, wala na silang ibang pagtatawanan? ‘Ni minsan ay hindi nila ako kilala. Maliban sa pagiging bayot ko, sa akin ay wala na silang ibang nalalaman pa.” On the other hand, Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh was awkward from start to end. There were moments of brilliance here and there, but there were parts that seemed camp and unfunny. Ada/ Zaturnnah in the movie did not make you fall in love with him. The film borrowed some songs from the musical, but did not build up on it. For one thing, they translated a lot of the Amazonistas’ songs into Filipino, as if assuming that the audience would not understand it if they left it in English. I felt that if the film was not rushed, if they didn’t crimp money on production, if they placed it in the hands of the right director, we would be having a film that would hold its ground internationally. Ada would have been standing proudly beside Maximo. Unfortunately with this film, we have Director Joel Lamangan standing in the sidelines shouting “Palakpak, mga dukha!” at us ala-Didi. A good reason to see this film is Rustom Padilla playing Ada. Not because he does Ada justice, but because Rustom is very pretty in this movie. On the other hand,was awkward from start to end. There were moments of brilliance here and there, but there were parts that seemed camp and unfunny. Ada/ Zaturnnah in the movie did not make you fall in love with him. The film borrowed some songs from the musical, but did not build up on it. For one thing, they translated a lot of the Amazonistas’ songs into Filipino, as if assuming that the audience would not understand it if they left it in English. I felt that if the film was not rushed, if they didn’t crimp money on production, if they placed it in the hands of the right director, we would be having a film that would hold its ground internationally. Ada would have been standing proudly beside Maximo. Unfortunately with this film, we have Director Joel Lamangan standing in the sidelines shouting at us ala-Didi. A good reason to see this film is Rustom Padilla playing Ada. Not because he does Ada justice, but because Rustom is very pretty in this movie. Depite (or inspite of) all this, Carlo Vergara’s Zaturnnah  is doing incredibly well. In the same way that Mars Ravelo’s Darna and Captain Barbel became superhero landmarks of a generation, Zaturnnah has secured his/ her place in Philippine popular culture and literature. Zaturnnah: Victoria! Winner! Tagumpay. 

On the other hand,was awkward from start to end. There were moments of brilliance here and there, but there were parts that seemed camp and unfunny. Ada/ Zaturnnah in the movie did not make you fall in love with him. The film borrowed some songs from the musical, but did not build up on it. For one thing, they translated a lot of the Amazonistas’ songs into Filipino, as if assuming that the audience would not understand it if they left it in English. I felt that if the film was not rushed, if they didn’t crimp money on production, if they placed it in the hands of the right director, we would be having a film that would hold its ground internationally. Ada would have been standing proudly beside Maximo. Unfortunately with this film, we have Director Joel Lamangan standing in the sidelines shouting at us ala-Didi. A good reason to see this film is Rustom Padilla playing Ada. Not because he does Ada justice, but because Rustom is very pretty in this movie. Depite (or inspite of) all this, Carlo Vergara’s Zaturnnah  is doing incredibly well. In the same way that Mars Ravelo’s Darna and Captain Barbel became superhero landmarks of a generation, Zaturnnah has secured his/ her place in Philippine popular culture and literature. Zaturnnah: