TP: Review of PINGKIAN: A Writer's Worth

March 2, 2024

In 1898, Emilio Jacinto (Vic Robinson) led his troop of revolutionary fighters on a mission in Majayjay, Laguna. They were ambushed by Spanish troops, and Emilio was severely injured in his right leg. He was captured and held prisoner by Spanish soldiers (led by Jonathan Tadioan). A sympathetic doctor (Marco Viana) was called in to treat his injuries. A young Katipunan scout Isyo (Joshua Cadelina) found him, but he was too weak to escape.

As Emilio's life lay precariously on the balance, he had bleak nightmares about dark moments in his past, and rosy dreams about the bright future ahead.  He had fever-induced visions about his best friend Andres Bonifacio (Paw Castillo), his fellow revolutionary Dr. Pio Valenzuela (Almond Bolante), his mother Josefa Dizon (Bituin Escalante), his wife Catalina de Jesus (Gab Pangilinan) and his hero Dr. Jose Rizal (Kakki Teodoro). 

In a time where the jukebox musical seems to be the easier formula to success for a new musical production, featuring songs by known acts, like Aegis and the Eraserheads previously. Three more of the same are premiering this year, featuring songs by Ben & Ben, Parokya ni Edgar and Jose Mari Chan. It is always a more formidable challenge to compose an all-original song score, so this one is a winner for me, even for that fact alone.

Many songs were powerful anthems, like "Hindi Pa Tapos ang Laban," "Nasa Loob ang Himagsikan' and "Pangarap Ko'y Kalayaan" in Act 1 ("Dilim"), and "Liwanag at Dilim," "Katapusan" and "Kalayaan" in Act 2 ("Liwanag"). The highlights of Act 1 were Jacinto's masterpiece, "Ang Kartilya" ingeniously set into a rapping rhythm; and "Pahayag," showing the initiation rites of Katipunan members. "Ikaw ang Liwanag," a love duet between Emilio and Catalina, was a refreshing breath of fresh air in Act 2. The choreography by Jomelle Era brought these songs into vibrant motion, ending in dramatic tableaux. These songs, with catchy tunes and stirring lyrics, are all going to be released on Spotify soon, and we will be ready to play them on repeat by then.

Emilio Jacinto was onstage practically for the entire 2-hour length of the show, a most exhausting role for Vic Robinson. I do not remember seeing him tackle such a big important role before, and with such impressive conviction and passion. With every song, Robinson aced various genres, from the punishing belts of "Ang Kasalanan ni Cain" (in the style of "Jesus Christ Superstar") to the rapid-fire rapping of "Kartilya" (in the style of "Hamilton"). As early as now, he seems to be a lock for the Best Actor in a Musical award next year.

Gab Pangilinan played two very different characters -- the Judas Iscariot-type traitor Florencio Reyes and the ever-smiling better half Catalina de Jesus.  Bituin Escalante only came out in Act 2, and still she owned the stage with her singular presence and rich vocals. I do not know why they chose to cast a female actor Kakki Teodoro as Dr. Jose Rizal (and I'm not sure I'm totally on board), but, as always, she rocked the role, especially in her featured song "Ang Ating Pinaglalaban." But then again, Apolinario Mabini had been played by a female actor in multiple runs of "Mabining Madirigma," so gender-swapping icons is not new to TP.

Almond Bolante looked totally manly here as a Pio Valenzuela with a rockstar vibe, totally different from the very gay Didi with a soaring counter-tenor in "ZsaZsa Zaturrnah the Musical" (2023). As Bonifacio, Paw Castillo had a strong singing voice that was perfect for inspiring nationalistic fervor. As the idealistic aspiring lawyer Isyo, Joshua Cadelina got to lead the ensemble in two songs -- "1898" and "Liwanag sa Dilim (Reprise)". 

Roby Malubay, VJ Orejotse, and Chan Rabutazo played three priests clad in black. You may think they were Gomburza, but they were actually Frs. Agapito Echegoyen, Domingo Cadenas and Antonio Piernavieja, who were executed for being whistle-blowers against the clergy. Jude Hinumdum had a solo spot number "Narito Na Ba ang Liwanag," as a townsperson named Cirilo Javier. Jam Binay  played Emilio and Catalina's daughter Laya, who sang with her parents in "Ikaw ang Liwanag (Reprise)."

The rest of the ensemble include: EJ Pepito, Paula Paguio, Roxy Aldiosa, Laui Guico, and Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company members Mark Lorenz, Sarah Monay, Erick Alcontado and Llorvie Nuevo-Tadioan. Anchored by the solid bass-baritone voice of Roby Malubay, the impressive choral singing by the Ensemble provided an ethereal musical curtain that enveloped the action onstage, immersing the audience in what felt like a religious experience. 

It is only March 2024 now, but I believe I just watched the musical which will sweep all the theater awards to be given out next year. It is a shoo-in for nominations and, very likely, wins in Outstanding Musical, Book of a Musical (Juan Ekis), Stage Direction (Jenny Jamora), Musical Direction (Ejay Yatco), and all its outstanding technicals (sets by Carlo Pagunaling, sound by TJ Ramos, lighting by D Cortezano, and projections design by GA Fallarme). 

Most of us only knew Emilio Jacinto as the Brains of the Katipunan, and nothing much more beyond that monicker. This musical allowed us to enter the mind of this young man who loved his country, who used his talent in writing to inspire people to do the same. His codename "Pingkian" referred to a small stone which can produce a spark when struck to create a fire. That was exactly what his patriotic writing did to the hearts and spirits of his fellow Katipuneros. It was very sad to know that he only lived 23 short years, yet he was able to bequeath a valuable legacy in his writings. Thankfully, we now have this musical to highlight and celebrate that legacy.

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"Pingkian: Isang Musikal" runs from March 1 - 24, 2024, FRI (8PM) | SAT (3PM and 8PM) | SUN (3PM), at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex.

Get your tickets from the following: LINK1 or LINK2. Price for Regular Tickets is P1,500 only.

REP: Review of BETRAYAL: Anatomy of an Affair

March 1, 2024

One day, visual artist Emma (Vanessa White) was inaugurating an art installation in her own gallery in London. After the event, she got together to talk with Jerry (James Cooney), her husband Robert's (James Bradwell) best friend. It turned out that two years ago, Emma and Jerry just ended an illicit relationship which had lasted for seven years. Jerry thought no one knew about it, but Emma told him that she had already told Robert about their affair. 

Repertory Philippines had been regularly staging English language plays and musicals every year since 1967. But after "Stage Kiss" had its run in February 2020, the next show "Anna in the Tropics" was shut down by the pandemic. They only had one show a year from 2021 to 2023. Rep comes back strong this year with its 87th season -- 4 new shows (with 2 of them original Filipino works) in a new venue -- the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza.

Rep's opens this season is "Betrayal," a classic 1978 three-hander play by Nobel Prize-winning British playwright Harold Pinter. This is Rep's first time to tackle a Pinter play. For the first time in Rep's history, three West End British actors, all with Filipino blood, were cast in the lead roles. New York and London-based actor-director Victor Lirio, also of Filipino descent, also makes his theater directorial debut in the Philippines with this project.

Pinter wrote this play with 9 scenes depicting episodes of Emma and Jerry's affair behind Robert's back, presented in reverse chronological order. The first scene was a reunion of Emma and Jerry in the present day after two years of no contact, while the final scene was the start of their affair at a party 9 years prior. Younger theatergoers will recognize this was the same style used by Jason Robert Brown in "The Last Five Years" (2001). 

Since the three main actors are actually based in London's West End, their Britishness lent more authenticity to the play. Their English accents were, of course, the real thing, with none of the inconsistent or overwrought artificiality some local actors tend to affect when playing British characters. Also, the whole play had a different feel from previous Rep plays -- everything felt toned-done and restrained, even the humor and the arguments. 

Also in the cast are Philippine-based actors Jef Flores and Regina de Vera. During the play, you'd mostly see them moving furniture and set pieces around between the scenes. Flores would also play a bit part as the Italian maître d' at a restaurant Jerry and Robert had lunch in. However, more than that, Flores is ready to cover for either Jerry or Robert in case the actors are unable to play, while de Vera is the cover for Emma. 

The set designed by Miguel Urbino was elegantly white, sparse but efficient. The centerpiece of the backdrop was a large Pacita Abad painting, which Emma had brought in from the Philippines to exhibit in her London gallery, framed by a huge rectangular arch. The lights of John Batalla were bright and glaring, to further emphasize the whiteness of the set. The resulting atmosphere in the gallery felt bleak, sterile and clinical. 

Lirio added a prologue scene at the beginning of the play set in Emma's gallery inaugurating a Filipino painting. Aside from the Filipino reference, this was supposed to set the story in Emma's point of view while staying faithful to Pinter's text. According to the post-show Q and A, Lirio also added an epilogue scene of Emma and Jerry with no dialogue, set in a darkened bar or club, to establish the attraction between them, before Robert came into the scene.

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"Betrayal" runs from March 1 to 17 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza. Shows start promptly at 3:30 pm (matinees Saturdays and Sundays) and 8 pm (evenings Fridays and Saturdays). They close the gate promptly at start time (even when there are still people lining up at the door), so do not be late!

The play runtime is about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission. You can buy tickets through Ticketworld on this LINK. Ticket prices: P2,500 (Orchestra Center and Loge Center), 2,000 (Orchestra Sides) and 1500 (Balcony).