April 9, 2026
Leo (Royce Cabrera, alternate Esteban Mara) worked as a food delivery boy, a scooter taxi driver, and a massage therapist. One day, he bought shoes from an online seller named Tanya (Jasmine Curtis-Smith, alternate Rissey Reyes-Robinson), a nursing graduate who also worked as a promodiser in the mall and tutored English for Koreans. He was planning to give these shoes to his girlfriend Candy (Iana Bernardez, alternate Kate Alejandrino), who was planning to quit her current corporate job to become a free-lance online influencer.
The original "Endo" was an indie film written and directed by Jade Castro, which premiered at the Cinemalaya filmfest in 2007. The title "Endo" was slang used by contractual workers on the last day of their job, short for "end of contract." After serving their six-month contract, they need to look for another job again. In that film, the jobs Leo and Tanya had were all based in actual department stores, groceries or fast-food restaurants.
When writer Liza Magtoto and dramaturg Eric Villanueva adapted it for the stage this year, she had to update the jobs to include current online-based jobs and businesses. The original meaning of the slang term "Endo" may not even be applied to these new jobs anymore, as they are not really limited by contracts anymore. However, like before, these jobs remain to be unstable and unfair for the most part, with no promise of job security.
For the audience to fully feel the extreme stress that these characters are living through, director Melvin Lee and production designer D Cortezano gave the stage an unstable floor for the actors to move on. The most blinding lights of lighting designer David Esguerra were the orange ones that emanated from beneath that movable stage floor when it lifted up. Above the stage Cortezano hung multiple strands of rope that gave a stifling atmosphere of gloom.
Lee expanded the emotional flow of the characters by making them express their angst in dance, as choreographed by Christine Crame. Dance reflected the chaos in the streets, as well as the bustle of their daily hustles. And there were those pas de deux between Leo and Tanya that represent their romantic trysts. While the first one with the big flowing cloth was eye-catching, the subsequent ones can feel repetitive, slowing down the story.
The best reason to go watch this play is to see the auspicious theatrical debuts of its movie star cast. As Leo, Royce Cabrera possessed a strong, dynamic stage presence. He stood out from the ensemble with this leading man looks and energetic performance. As Tanya, Jasmine Curtis-Smith was simply riveting with her beauty and sweet demeanor. She definitely could sell us anything with her smile and her flawless "jologs" Tagalog spiels.
As Candy, Iana Bernardez made the most of what was basically a thankless role of a third wheel. From the ensemble, Carlon Matobato played Leo's helpless ailing father and Denmark Brinces played his difficult younger brother. Raphne Catorse played Leo's best friend who was always ready with employment tips. The rest of the ensemble includes Rafflesia Bravo, Kirby Dunnzell, Ekiz Gimenez, Jacinta Pascual, Noelle Polack, Nikki Soriano and Teetin Villanueva.
Aside from social commentary and romance, the story tackled personal problems with work, family and the ex, OFW offers and tough decisions that add to the melodramatic mix. The advanced press preview I watched lasted for almost two hours without an intermission. That length can be felt because of some repetitive elements and the slow pace of the storytelling. Some editing may be in order in the second half to add more punch to that ending.
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"ENDO" runs from April 10 to May 10, 2026 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Tickets can be bought via Ticket2Me on this LINK. Prices range from P2700 (Orchestra VIP and Balcony Center Lower), P2500 (Orchestra Center), P2200 (Orchestra Sides), P1600 (Balcony Center Upper and Balcony Sides).
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