January 3, 2026
For the year 2025, I had seen and written about 37 theater productions: 11 musicals (6 in Filipino, 5 in English), 10 full-length plays (9 in Filipino, only 1 in English), and 16 one-act plays (12 in Virgin Labfest, 4 in 2 Dulaang UP double-headers).
2025 marked the end of my 10-year stint as a juror of the Gawad Buhay awards. While thankful that I still do get invited as media by certain theater companies, I now need to buy tickets to several shows myself. Because of this, I won't be able to watch each and every show with each and every alternative cast, nor be able to sit in the best of seats, anymore.
Among the major 2025 shows I was not able to watch were Theater Group Asia's "Into the Woods" and the touring production of "Dear Evan Hansen," for which tickets were sold out quickly, pricey notwithstanding. I also had to prioritize watching new shows over re-runs of recent hit shows, like "Walang Aray," "3 Upuan" or "Pingkian".
I will list here what I feel were the best among those theater shows I had seen and written about for 2025:
I. MUSICALS - IN FILIPINO
BEST: SI FAUST (Arete)
"Faust," a 19th century tragic play in verse written by Johannes Wolfgang von Goethe is considered the greatest work in German literature. The story was about a desperate man named Faust who made a deal with a devil figure named Mephistopheles. Mephistopheles will let Faust experience heaven here on earth. But in exchange, Faust agreed that after death his soul will follow Mephistopheles straight into hell, where he'll spend his afterlife.
Music and Songs: Basti Artadi
Stage Direction: Guelan Luarca
Other Notable Productions:
"Gregoria Lakambini" (Tanghalang Pilipino), directed and co-choreographed by Delphine Buencamino, book by Nicanor Tiongson and Eljay Castro Deldoc, music by Nica del Rosario, Matthew Chang and Flip Music.
"Liwanag sa Dilim" (9 Works Theatricals), direction and book by Robbie Guevara, music and songs by Rico Blanco, musical direction by Daniel Bartolome.
Notable Performances:
Joseton Vergel de Dios, Shaira Opsimar and Maita Ponce ("Si Faust"), Marynor Madamesila and Heart Puyong ("Gregoria Lakambini"), Khalil Ramos, Vien King, Alexa Ilacad and Boo Gabunada ("Liwanag sa Dilim"), Phi Palmos, Shaira Opsimar and Tex Ordonez-de Leon ("Delia D."), David Ezra and Jett Pangan ("Jeproks: The Mike Hanopol Musical"), Noel Rayos and Jeremy Manite ("Pilato")
Memorable Technical Aspects:
Set design, Lighting design, Sound design, Projection designs of "Si Faust," Costume designs of "Gregoria Lakambini," Set design, Lighting design, Costume design, Projection designs of "Liwanag sa Dilim," Set designs, Projection designs of "Delia D."
II. MUSICALS - NOT IN FILIPINO
BEST: SHREK THE MUSICAL (Full House)
Lord Farquaad (Alfredo Reyes) hated fairytale creatures, so he banished them away from the kingdom of Duloc. They camped out in a nasty swamp, which turned out to be the residence of a scary green ogre named Shrek (Jamie Wilson). To get his house back, Shrek struck a deal with Farquaad to find and rescue his dream wife Princess Fiona (Krystal Kane) from the tower guarded by a dragon where she had been locked in since her childhood.
Book: David Lindsay-Abaire
Music and Songs: Jeanine Tesori
Stage Direction: Dexter Santos
Other Notable Productions:
"We Aren't Kids Anymore" (Barefoot Theater Collaborative), directed by Rem Zamora, book by Drew Gasparini, orchestrations and vocal arrangements by Justin Goldner and Drew Gasparini, musical direction by Myke Salomon and Farley Asuncion.
"Side Show" (Sandbox Collective), directed by Toff de Venecia, book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger, musical direction by Ejay Yatco.
Notable Performances:
Jamie Wilson, Krystal Kane, Topper Fabregas and Alfredo Reyes ("Shrek the Musical"), Myke Salomon, Maronne Cruz, Luigi Quesada, Gio Gahol and Gab Pangilinan ("We Aren't Kids Anymore"), Krystal Kane, Molly Langley and Joshua Cabiladas ("Side Show"), Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Sheila Francisco and Topper Fabregas ("Come From Away"), Floyd Tena and Benedix Ramos ("Next to Normal")
Memorable Technical Aspects:
Set design, Costume designs and Creature puppetry of "Shrek the Musical," Costume designs of "Side Show," Set design and Costume designs of "Come From Away"
III. PLAYS - IN FILIPINO
A. ONE-ACT:
BEST: ANNIVERSARY (Virgin Labfest XX)
Writer: Nelsito Gomez
Director: Sarah Facuri
Other Notable Productions:
"May Katwiran ang Katwiran" ("Para Kay Tony" by Dulaang UP), written by Rolando Tinio, directed by MJ Briones, with mentor-director Charles Yee
"Unang Araw" (VLF XX), written by Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo, directed by Cholo Ledesma,
"Polar Coordinates" (VLF XX), written by Ade Valenzona, directed by Paolo O'Hara,
Notable Performances:
Jamie Wilson and Bibeth Orteza ("Anniversary"), Sherry Lara ("Mommy G"), Andoy Ranay and Kiki Baento ("Presidential Suite"), Angelica Panganiban ("Don't Cry for Me, Catriona"), Roi Calilong ("The Late Mr. Real"), Sheryll Ceasico ("Kalahating Oras sa Isang Kumbento"), Kerr Allen and Daniel Duplon ("May Katwiran ang Katwiran")
Memorable Technical Aspects:
Set design of "Anniversary," Set design of "Ang Problema sa Trolley," Costume designs in "Mga Anak ng Unos"
B. FULL-LENGTH
BEST: KISAPMATA (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Ex-policeman Dadong (Jonathan Tadioan) ran his household located in Zapote Street like a tight ship. His wife Dely (Lhorvie Nuevo) was already numbed to all the years of physical, sexual and psychological abuse under him. Their only daughter Mila (Toni Go) wanted to marry her boyfriend Noel (Marco Viana). Dadong agreed, but he used Dely's delicate condition as an excuse, to make sure that they won't move out.
Writer: Guelan Luarca, an adaptation of the screenplay by Mike de Leon, Clodualdo del Mundo and Raquel Villavicencio for the 1981 film
Director: Guelan Luarca
Other Notable Productions
"Quemodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati "(Arete), directed by Guelan Luarca, an adaptation of Nick Joaquin's "A Portrait of an Artist as Filipino" as translated by Jerry Respeto
"Dagitab" (Scene Change), directed by Guelan Luarca, an adaptation of the screenplay by Giancarlo Abrahan for the 2015 film
Notable Performances:
Jonathan Tadioan, Lhorvie Nuevo, Toni Go and Marco Viana (Kisapmata), Delphine Buencamino and Gab Pangilinan (Quemodo Desolata Es), Joji Lorenzo, Agot Isidro, Elijah Canlas and Benedix Ramos (Dagitab), Martin del Rosario, Elora Espano and Denise Esteban (Anino sa Likod ng Buwan), Martha Comia, Matel Patayon and Via Antonio (Para Kay B), Andoy Ranay (13th of September) Miren Alvarez-Fabregas, Joseph dela Cruz and Pickles Leonidas (Sopranong Kalbo), Missy Maramara (Kaliwaan)
Memorable Technical Aspects:
Set design of "Kisapmata," Choreography and set design of "Quemodo Desolata Es," Costume design and make-up of "13th of September," Set design and costume designs of "Sintang Dalisay"
IV. PLAYS - NOT IN FILIPINO
BEST: ART (Repertory Ph ilippines)
Writer: Yasmina Reza, as translated into English by Christopher Hampton
Director: Victor Lirio
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My 2024 list was posted HERE.
My 2023 list was posted HERE.
My 2019 list was posted HERE.
My 2018 list was posted HERE.
My 2017 list was posted HERE.
My 2016 list was posted HERE.
My 2015 list was posted HERE.
My 2014 list was posted HERE.
My 2013 list was posted HERE.
