Pinky Amador as Mrs. B, a dinner benefit for the families of Desaparacidos

BFF-Pinky was tapped by the Concerned Artist of the Philippines (CAP) to play the role of the mother of abducted activist Jonas Burgos, Mrs. Edith Burgos. Her son was taken by a group of four unidentified men and a woman while eating inside a mall in Quezon City on April 28, 2007.

The play is a dinner benefit for the families of the desaparcidos, or victims of involuntary disappearances.

The term 'disappared people' was initially referred to South American victims of state terrorism during the 1970s-1980s. The Philippines became notorious in perpetrating enforced disappearances at the same period during Marcos' martial law regime. At that time, human rights groups placed the number of victims of extrajudicial killings at 1500 and over 800 abductions and watchdog-Karapatan records show 759 desaparacidos. American military historian Alfred McCoy in his book "Closer than Brothers: Manhood at the Philippine Military Academy" cites 3,257 extrajudicial killings, 35,000 torture victims, and 70,000 incarcerated under Marcos.

The same practice continues today (as of August 2008), the Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights has documented a total of 193 desaparecidos since Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001.

The play is to commemorate the second year of abduction of Jonas who was tagged by the military as a member of the New People's Army. Jonas is the son of the late press freedom icon Jose Burgos, Jr, (publisher of the We Forum and Malaya) who fought against Marcos. Jonas continued his father's legacy of serving the country, however, through teaching organic farming to farmers. He is an agriculture graduate of the Benguet State University (BSU) and a trainor of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB), an affiliate of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP). He is married with one child.

Pinky's role as Mrs. B, the voice of the desaparacidos, in this 2-hour monologoue is worth the watch! A graduate of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and a two-time Aliw Awardee for best stage actress, she is known for her powerful performances onstage, on TV and films.

The play, co-written by Grundy Constantino and Rowena Festin and directed by CAP's Secretary-General Soc Jose will premiere this Saturday, April 18, 2009 at Ten02 Bar & Resto (#33 Sct. Ybardolaza St. corner Timog Ave.) in Quezon City. Ticket is P500 per person with dinner. For more information contact Grundy at 572-4410 or 0919-8388443.

check out photos taken during the premiere night here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104535&id=677835438&l=49d6d4f2c6