Interview with Director Bernard Badion and Actor Eugene Cordero

Last week got to chat with Filipino American writer and director Bernard Badion and actor Eugene Cordero about their new production Monkeys, a stage play debuting at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2023. We talk about Bernard's inspiration for the play, the plays' characters and how it feels to work with a largely Filipino American cast. Both Bernard and Eugene also discuss their journey and hopes for Filipino Americans in Hollywood both on and off the screen.

About Monkeys, a Stage Play:

Protesting abysmally low wages, even for 1930s San Joaquin County, Filipino farm laborer bunkmates go on strike, not yet realizing what they need more than cash is each other. A workplace comedy taking place in one of the worst workplaces to ever exist, Monkeys shows a group of friends trying to make the best out of their lives at the bottom and maybe find love even though it’s illegal for them to marry. Monkeys is derogatory term created by American soldiers during colonization referring to Filipinos as “Tailless monkeys”.

MONKEYS (@monkeysonstage)

A new play written and directed by Bernard @badion

https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/9599

With Cast

Eugene Cordero @eugcordero

Mike Cabellon @mikecabellon

Gilbert Galon @gilbits

Jason Rogel @j2therizzo

Tony Garbanzos @toekneebeans

E.J. Cabasal @ejcabasal

Isabella Wager @isabellawager

Dustin Loomis @dustinloomis

Zedrick Restauro @zedrickrestauro

Original song by J.R Deguzman @jrdguz

Stage Manager - Elizabeth Excaliber @wantingbroadway

Poster Art by @byron Atienza

Produced by Chris Quintos Cathcart @chrisqchrisq

Rehearsal Space provided by Drake Hall

The producers and performers wish to thank the @HollywoodFringe Scholarship program and Festival for which this play would be possible. Also thank you to the organizations FIlipinx In Entertainment (FXE), W.F. Hunters, and A Bunch Of Savages @abosvgs.