DEDMA: WHEN TITAS LOSE THEIR POISE

One of the lines we'll never forget from gossip past is a socialite's amusing account of a catfight that she witnessed: "Entonces, un hair pulling incident!," describing the denouement of an encounter between a high society wife and the mistress of her husband.

- RICKY TOLEDO & CHITO VIJANDRE

This legendary incident came to mind when we heard about Dedma, Theatre Tita's twinbill of short plays, Let's Do Lunch and The Foxtrot, both written by Chesie Galvez-Cariño. The first one, in particular, was supposed to feature two "ladies who lunch" in a story that involves a scandal. In a country where dining and chismis are the default pastimes and Maritess has become the viral name for the neighborhood rumormonger, how could one let this presentation pass?

The subject of the vicious gossip is Issa (Issa Litton) who has been invited by BFF Val (Naths Everett) to her home after a long estrangement. It turns out that Issa's husband has been implicated in a financial scam of sorts that has made them nouveau pauvre and pariahs in their social circle. Why did Val even reconnect with her after so long? Genuine friendship? information gathering straight from the horse's mouth? To gloat?

Probably all of the above, as Everett portrays her comfortable in her charmed life and friends in the same league, turning a blind eye to her husband's indiscretions so long as she can wield her credit cards to buy the latest status bags that she treats like her "babies." For her conscience, she easily brandishes her checkbook for a standard 100K check for charity.