TA: Review of SINTANG DALISAY: A Teenage Tragedy with a Twist

February 15, 2025

In the Muslim community of Semporna, there was a bitter feud brewing between two rich families -- the Mustaphas and the Kalimuddins.  During a masquerade dance, Rashiddin (Karl Borromeo) of the Mustapha family fell in love at first sight with Jamila (Maliana Beran) of the Kalimuddin family. Their forbidden love affair led to a series of violence that unfortunately led to deaths from both families, which led to Rashiddin getting exiled to Dapitan. 

Surely that synopsis sounds familiar -- it is William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" transposed to a Mindanao setting by Ricardo Abad and first staged in July of 2011 at the Ateneo under Abad's direction. It was the final set designed by National Artist Salvador Bernal before he passed away in October, 2011. When Abad passed away last December 26, 2023, Abad's protege Guelan Varela-Luarca took over as director for a 2024 restaging in his honor. 

Stage Design of National Artist Salvador Bernal, revived by Tata Tuviera

The show opened with an overture played by a live band called Anima Tierra, playing their traditional, contemporary and experimental instruments right there on centerstage. They created a wall of sound with their percussions and vocalizations that set the propulsive and ethereal atmosphere of this play. Led by Jayson Gildore and Rhea Dagnalan, they take over the band of their mentor Edru Abraham and Kontra Gapi who played during the 2011 run. 

The first character to enter the stage was the Imam, who also served as the narrator of the story. James Reyes delivered his lengthy introductory monologue with his graceful movements and strong singing voice. Color was added when Reyes was joined by the other cast members dressed in their family colors -- orange for Mustaphas and green for Kalimuddins -- dancing the native igal (choreography by Matthew Santamaria) to the infectious beats of Anima Tierra. 

Anima Tierra plays the vibrant musical score

To be completely honest, I did not really understand every word being said onstage. Not only were they delivered in poetic old-fashioned Filipino, the sound system was insufficient to support the vocal projection of the actors. You can hear their voices going hoarse in their effort to make their lines understood. Those familiar with "Romeo and Juliet" can the drift of the story by context. Those unfamiliar with the original story may find it challenging to follow. 

Notable in this adaptation were the recurrent references to the afterlife. After Mercutio-equivalent Badawi (Roldine Ebrada) and Tybalt-equivalent Taupan (Jerome Dawis) were killed, they were shown to get up, wore a veil and salakot, and climbed up the stairs to the life beyond. At the end, they came back onstage to fetch the souls of Rashiddin and Jamila to lead them towards the hereafter, an aspect not in Shakespeare original. 

Maliana Beran and Karl Borromeo in the lead roles

The classic multi-level set design by Salvador Bernal had been beautifully recreated by Tata Tuviera. A most remarkable scene was that when Rashiddin bought poison from witches with giant anahaw leaves -- breathtaking.  The important role of Sabrina Basilio's dramaturgy for a cultural topic like this cannot be underestimated. Likewise important was Missy Maramara's role as intimacy coordinator, particularly in that honeymoon night pas de deux. 

Majority of the audience of the matinee I watched were excitable English-speaking elementary school boys. They vigorously cheered every kick and clash of knives during the fights (exciting fight choreography care of Brian Sy). They gasped loudly when Ginoong Kalimuddin (Fred Layno) slapped Jamila's face, and likewise during the climactic modified suicide scenes.  You can just imagine how loud their rowdy hooting reactions were during the love scene!

"Romeo and Juliet" -- with sensitive themes of teenage violence, marriage and suicide -- does not seem to be a play apt for young kids, but hey, it is a "classic." I do hope their teachers debrief them adequately about these adult topics, and orient them about theater etiquette as well. The old ladies seated beside me were clearly not amused with the juvenile antics. But for me, the noisy response around me actually added to the entertainment value of my viewing experience.

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This rerun of "Sintang Dalisay" runs only for 9 shows only this February 14-23 at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University. Buy your tickets from Ticket2Me via this LINK. Tickets cost P1200 for Orchestra and P800 for Balcony. The show runs for 2 hours with no intermission. 

Idea First: Review of ANINO SA LIKOD NG BUWAN: Sensual Strategies

February 8, 2025

Nardo (Ross Pesigan) and his wife Emma (Elora Espano) were driven out of their village when it was attacked by the rebels. They became close friends with Joel (Martin del Rosario), a soldier who helped them settle in this new community. One night during an eclipse, Martin visited their shack to bring them some food, and also to play poker with them. However, when Nardo had to go fetch water at the well, Joel and Emma had other plans in mind. 

I first knew of this Jun Robles Lana work as a film that he both wrote and directed. The film was noted for its remarkable camera work as it followed the three main characters in one long continuous take in and around a small hut furnished only with a dining table and a bed, which notoriously included a 15-minute long sex scene. It starred Luis Alandy as Joel, Anthony Falcon as Nardo, and LJ Reyes, who won the Urian for Best Actress, as Emma. (MY REVIEW)

Del Rosario, Espano, Pesigan

at the curtain call

It turned out that this material was actually first written as a one-act play in 1993, when Lana was only 20 years old. It won first place in the Bulwagang Gantimpala playwrighting contest back then. When Idea First decided to venture into producing theater plays, it seemed natural that "Anino sa Likod ng Buwan" was their first choice. However, Lana decided to have someone else direct the project, a job which went to seasoned director Tuxqs Rutaquio. 

Emma and Nardo were played by veteran theater actors Elora Espano and Ross Pesigan, whose stage experience started in their student days in UP Diliman. Also very daring in her indie films, Espano captured the passionate fervor and mental alertness of Emma as she engaged in dangerous games. Pesigan imbued Nardo with an obfuscating air of blankness that may be interpreted as folly on one side, or cold-bloodedness on the other extreme.   

Movie and TV star Martin del Rosario is making his first foray on the legitimate stage with this play, and what an auspicious debut this was! Unlike other neophytes, del Rosario delivered Joel's kilometric lines with confidence and energy, giving them a 100% emotional wallop. He was very comfortable with his body even during sensual scenes in various stages of undress. He was never self-conscious, as if he had been doing this for years.  

Pesigan, Espano and Del Rosario at the Q and A
with writer Jun Lana on the left

Director Rutaquio's set design was very much like it was in the film. The space of the stage house also had a small dining table and a bed in there, with a door for them to go in and out. There were three columns at the back where shadowy trees were projected to represent the forest outside the house. The lighting design of John Batalla and the sound design of TJ Ramos complete the atmosphere of tension and dread. 

What I watched was a stripped-down preview staged at the Arete three weeks before the play formally opens at the PETA Theater Center on March 1. Even then, it ran for about two hours without an intermission, so surely certain aspects can still be tweaked to make it run better. There were scenes which felt repetitive which could use some streamlining, like maybe that second standing oral sex scene in the second act that could either be cut out or varied into something else. 

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Idea First Live's production of Jun Lana's "Anino sa Likod ng Buwan" runs from March 1 to 23, 2025 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Ticket prices range from P2464 (Orchestra VIP Cushioned), P2240 (Orchestra Center, Balcony Center), P2016 (Orchestra Side) and P1120 (Balcony Side).

Each role has an understudy: Edward Benosa for Joel, Vincent Pajara for Nardo and in her stage debut, VMX star Denise Esteban for Emma. 

Understudy cast: Benosa, Esteban and Pajara

For its next project, Idea First Livc! is planning to produce a stage version of its 2016 MMFF Audience Choice hit "Die Beautiful," which was written by Rody Vera and directed by Jun Robles Lana. 

Sandbox: Review of NEXT TO NORMAL: Psychoactive Prescriptions

February 2, 2025

The Goodmans seem to be a normal regular family on the surface. Father Dan was an architect. Mother Diana was a doting housewife and mother. Teen children Gab and Natalie doing well in school. However, Diana had been taking a variety of prescription psychoactive drugs to control the labile moods brought about by her bipolar disorder. Poor response lately had prompted her new doctor Madden to recommend electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). 

For its original Broadway production in 2008, this rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt won three Tony Awards out of 11 nominations. It won for Best Original Score, Best Orchestration and Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical for Alice Ripley. Remarkably, it also won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2010 even if it was not among the shortlist of three plays submitted to the jury for consideration.  

All in all, this is already the fourth time that I have watched this musical.  My first time was in 2010 at the Booth Theater on Broadway, starring Marin Mazzie, Jeff Danieley and Kyle Dean Massey (MY REVIEW). Second was a 2011 local staging by Atlantis, starring Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Jett Pangan and Felix Rivera (MY REVIEW). Third was a 2020 production by Blue Rep in Ateneo, starring Cris Villonco, Jef Flores and Tim Pavino (MY REVIEW).  

Benedix Ramos and Jam Binay

This Sandbox production is directed by Toff de Venecia. The cast I saw last night included film and TV actress Nikki Valdez (in her first stage role since "The Wedding Singer" by 9 Works in 2010), Floyd Tena, Benedix Ramos (fresh from his successful stage debut in "Bar Boys" last year), Jam Binay, Davy Narciso and Jef Flores. The alternate cast features Sheila Valderrama-Martinez, OJ Mariano, Vino Mabalot, Sheena Belarmino, Omar Uddin and again Jef Flores. 

Aside from nailing the drama which is expected of her, Nikki Valdez also nailed Diana's tough songs. Her voice sounded borderline hoarse, and this was only opening night, so she needs to safeguard it with vocal hygiene. The baritone of Floyd Tena deeply expressed Dan's difficult dilemmas. Gabe's sky-high notes were no problem for Benedix Ramos. Not exactly a fan of Natalie's hair, but Jam Binay simply brimmed with teenage angst.

Nikki Valdez and Floyd Tena

This Sandbox production had an even simpler set than the Blue Rep production. The Goodman "house" in this one did not even have walls or doors at all, only four chairs, a few steps and a screened area on both sides -- that was the whole set. You are expected to fill in the rest in your heads, from the sandwich scene to the ECT scene. These are not easy to envision if you had not seen this play before, and they will feel too hollow if you had.

I know that the cast was acting and singing their hearts out, but the sound system was so garbled so the Pulitzer prize-winning lyrics were barely understood. The live band led by musical director Ejay Yatco was a big plus, but the music can occasionally drown out the lyrics even more. I was told the sound of this show was already a big improvement over the previous day's shows, so I trust adjustments are already being done to correct this issue.

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The Sandbox Collective's "Next to Normal" runs from February 1 to 23, 2025 at the wintry cold Power Mac Center Spotlight ⁠Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati⁠. Ticket prices: VIP Php 3400, Premium Php 3000 and Regular Php 2,500.  Get your tickets via Ticket2Me at this link. 

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UPDATE: February 22, 2025

Watched one cast on the opening weekend, and today caught the alternate cast (Shiela Valderrama, Oj Mariano, Vino Mabalot, Sheena Belarmino, Omar Uddin) on its closing weekend. With sound issues that marred the first show all fixed, this second show felt totally new. Listening to Bryan Yorkey's lyrics with much-improved clarity really intensified the show's emotional impact. This was how this show was supposed to run. 

Recap of COURAGE: Guts and Gratitude

January 26, 2025

In was only 7:30 pm, seats were still filling up at the Skydome, but the concert proper began. Right off the bat, the screen showed three reasons why Gerald Santos was courageous: 1. when he persevered after was dropped by his network in 2010; 2. when, as a theater neophyte, he triumphed through several auditions to bag the role of Thuy in the UK international tour; and 3. when he performed Thuy in Denmark in the Danish language.

Gerald Santos came out wearing a maroon and cream checkered coat and cream pants, singing his own twist on the big song of the moment, "Defying Gravity" (VIDEO), from the hit stage musical now box-office hit movie "Wicked." He then sat on a stool, delivered his opening spiel, and sang "Always Remember Us This Way," a song by Lady Gaga from her version of "A Star is Born" (Bradley Cooper, 2018). 

Gerald Santos sings Lady Gaga

He expressed his resolve to try other genres of music, and shifted gears to perform the viral ROSÉ and Bruno Mars hit "APT" with his Gen Z guests Elisha and new 12-member boy band, ASTER (VIDEO). When Gerald left the stage for a costume change, the youngsters took centerstage to sing and dance to Bini's catchy 2024 earworm "Pantropiko." 

Gerald came out wearing an eye-catching striped blue and bright yellow ensemble, and introduced his next set as tributes to two singers who passed away recently -- Liam Payne and Mercy Sunot. He proceeded to sing songs by Payne's boyband One Direction, namely "Little Things," "Story of My Life," and "Night Changes." This was followed by three iconic songs by Sunot's band Aegis, namely "Halik," "Basang-basa sa Ulan," and "Luha" (VIDEO).

Gerald's tribute to Liam Payne

Gerald then shared the story of how he won the role of Thuy in the UK-Ireland touring production of Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's 1989 stage musical "Miss Saigon" in 2017 and his memorable run as Thuy in the 2019 Danish production, for which he had to sing in the Danish language. To celebrate his exciting experience, he sang a song, not by his character Thuy, but one by the American GI character Chris, "Why, God, Why?"

After this segment, he went on to sing two more Filipino ballads: "Wag Ka Nang Umiyak" from the TV series "Ang Probinsyano," and "Kahit Isang Saglit," one of three songs he sang in the finals of the 2nd season of GMA Network's "Pinoy Pop Superstar" in 2006, where he emerged the grand champion at age 15, the youngest winner of that singing competition. 

Gerald with Sheryn Regis

Gerald then welcomed a series of guest singers with whom he sang duets.  With his Pinoy Pop Superstar 2006 runner-up and UK "Miss Saigon" cast mate, Aicelle Santos, he sang the current Bruno Mars - Lady Gaga US #1 hit, "Die with a Smile" (VIDEO). With 2003 "Star in a Million" runner-up Sheryn Regis, he sang the Lady Gaga - Bradley Cooper #1 hit duet, "Shallow" (VIDEO). Regis then regaled the audience with her comeback diva hit "Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw." (VIDEO). 

Gerald returned onstage wearing a suit with a blue and green vertical stripes to introduce the grand champion of that same 2003 "Star in a Million" edition, Erik Santos. He said that it was their first time to sing together on stage. They sang a rousing duet version of Erik's winning song "This is the Moment" (from the 1990 Frank Wildhorn - Leslie Bricusse stage musical "Jekyll and Hyde" (VIDEO). Erik then took solo stage to sing "Sagot sa Aking Dasal."

Gerald with Erik Santos

When Gerald returned onstage, he was wearing a new brown and black outfit, topped by a long coat with short sleeves. He sang the inspirational song, "I Believe," then segued to the most serious part of the night's show, the launch of his advocacy, the "Courage Movement." 

After showing some clips of his Senate panel testimony in front of Senators Robin Padilla and Jinggoy Estrada, Gerald sang "You'll Never Walk Alone." Aicelle Santos came out to sing George Benson's "Greatest Love of All." Surprise guest singer Enzo Almario came out to sing Ben&Ben's "Leaves." The three of them then got together to sing Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey's duet from "The Prince of Egypt," "When You Believe." 

Gerald with fellow Courage advocates Sandro Muhlach and Enzo Almario

Gerald and Enzo remained on stage as they were joined by Sandro Muhlach. All three young men had experienced the same dark nightmare in their past, and have now bravely stepped forward to team up and lead the Courage Movement," an advocacy program dedicated to empower the victims of sexual harassment and abuse. This also aims "to raise awareness on these delicate and sensitive issues and how to deal with it objectively."

Getting back into the concert mood, Gerald talked about his latest single "Hubad" came about. He removed his long coat first before he went on to sing it live in a concert for the first time.  He put his long coat back on again before giving thanks to the Almighty for all the blessings he had received, singing a religious hymn that began with the words "I love you, Lord." 

Gerald then expressed his thanks for all his family, friends, sponsors, guests and musicians. Special mention went to his manager, Dr. Rommel Ramilo, who also wrote and directed this show. For his grand finale, Gerald chose to sing a Hugh Jackman song from "The Greatest Showman" soundtrack, "From Now On," about bravely forging on forward in life without distraction and procrastination. "From now on, what's waited for tomorrow starts tonight!" 

(From the Courage Movement FB page)