May Day Eve Notes
Introduction
The presentation will not include previously heard stories to maintain privacy.
Gabe Murhala and Lisa Vivian have been performing this reading for eight or nine years (since 2015 or 2016).
They mentioned that they skipped one year of performance.
Initial Impressions of "May Day Eve"
Lisa's favorite story since grade school is "May Day Eve," initially perceived as a ghost story.
Gabe found the story creepy in grade school and was particularly struck by the scene involving a mirror at midnight on April 30th.
The ritual involves incantations to see one's future spouse which lingered in Gabe's mind, inspiring the readings.
Collaboration and Personal Connection
Gabe approached Lisa for the reading knowing she lived in Baguio and because of their shared history in a high school play.
Lisa and Gabe met when he was in first year high school, and she was in grade seven.
They aimed to capture the beauty and mystery of the story, continually discussing its possible backstories.
Special Occasion and Guest
Last year's reading was made special by the presence of Nick Joaquin's niece, Charo, who shared background stories.
Audience and Recognition
Several schools, including Southridge (Gabe's high school), have incorporated the recording into their curriculum.
Other schools that have used the recording include UPG Liman and Cal.
Artistic Choices
The reading maintains fidelity to Nick Joaquin's text, with minimal artistic license.
The main deviation is the distribution of different parts to each reader for clarity and dramatic effect.
Adding significantly to Nick Joaquin's work is considered inappropriate.
Nick Joaquin's "May Day Eve" - The Narrative
The dancing at a ball was ordered to stop at 10 PM, but carriages piled up near midnight.
Young men, newly arrived from Europe, were in high spirits and didn't want to sleep, suggesting serenades or swimming in the Pasig River.
The atmosphere is described as a mystic May Day Eve, with the night being seductive.
The young men's arrogance and audacity are highlighted as they proceed to make noise outside.
Girls upstairs watched from windows, envying the carefree nature of men but lamenting their own circumstances.
The watchman's presence and the old Anastasia's warnings about witches add to the eerie atmosphere.
Anastasia speaks of the night being a night of divination where one can see their future spouse in a mirror.
The girls are initially frightened but then become curious, particularly Agada, who wants to try the mirror divination.
Anastasia explains the ritual: taking a candle, going to a dark room with a mirror, closing one's eyes, and saying, "Mirror, mirror, show to me him whose woman I will be."
The risk is seeing the devil if the ritual goes wrong which frightens the girls.
Agada insists on going through with it, defying the others' warnings and slipping away to the sala.
Agada approaches the mirror, performs the incantation, and opens her eyes after hearing a giggle, only to find herself face to face with Badoy.
Years later, Vanya Agada tells her daughter a heavily edited version of the same story, and the older Agada begins to weep.
Badoy woos Agada with compliments, but she remembers what happened and rebuffs him.
Agada accuses the young men of thinking she's isn't as exciting as the women of Europe.
She insults him and breaks out in tears that makes Badoy feel guilty, but then she bites him and flees.
Badoy considers revenge but is also captivated by her spirit. He recognizes that he loves her.
Years later, an old Badoy Montoya, returning from a meeting of conspirators (hinting at involvement in revolutionary activities), sees a face in the mirror and remembers the May Day Eve incident, reliving his youth.
His grandson is performing the same mirror ritual, seeking to see his future wife. Badoy warns him of witches and shares his own experience.
Badoy remembers his deceased wife (Agada) and the pain they endured, regretting the past. He thinks of her death and how their love has ended.
The story ends with the old man sobbing, overwhelmed by memory and regret.
Discussion and Interpretation
An audience member shares that she thought the story was not too scary and reflects on the nature of love and the challenges of marriage in that time.
Gabe appreciates the shifts between anger and love in the story, noting the extremes of emotion.
Lisa points out subtle clues related to domestic abuse within the story, such as the line, "snap, snap, snap her silly face."
There's discussion of Badoy's machismo and intention to control Agada.
The story is set against the backdrop of the start of the Katipunan, contrasting Badoy's public role as a revolutionary hero with his private behavior as a potentially abusive husband.
Gabe shares that his portrayal of Don Badoy was inspired by Nick Joaquin's mannerisms and speech patterns, based on personal encounters when Joaquin visited his family's home for a book project.
Conclusion
The presenters thank the audience and promote future storytelling events.