u/Lightsaybers

Watched People, Places and Things at Proscenium Theater at Rockwell today, with Bella Padilla as the lead. This was actually my first time watching a stage reading. Aside from the actors having scripts in their hands, it honestly still felt like a normal theater play to me.

Bella Padilla reminded me a lot of her role as Stella in 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, a character who is kind of on the edge, problematic, complicated, and carrying a lot of trauma. She was amazing in this role and embodied the character really well. I could still feel her TV and film acting nuances, and she has a different approach compared to the seasoned theater actors in the cast, but overall, she did really well and held her own.

I was also amazed by Jake Cuenca. This was my first time seeing him on stage, and I have to say, he is REALLY handsome in person. 😂 But beyond that, you really can’t deny his talent and acting chops. He brought so much to his role, and I was genuinely impressed.

The rest of the cast did incredibly well too, especially Menchu and Reb. The story itself was amazing, and I honestly wasn’t expecting it because I went in completely clueless about the plot. It’s a heavy piece and there were definitely moments that felt triggering, but it was still such a compelling and enjoyable watch.

There were a couple of minor dialogue mishaps and some microphone issues, but they were very minimal and didn’t take away from how great the overall production was.

For my first stage reading experience, People, Places and Things was definitely a good one. I went in knowing almost nothing about the story and left with a lot to think about.

We watched MAPANAKIT at IBG-KAL Theater, UP Diliman, thanks to my friend who scored free tickets through Reddit. I was convinced to watch this show after seeing the cast guest on AWKP. Here are my thoughts:

ACT 1 (Ross Pesigan and Ruby Sanchez)
This was such a fun story borderline disturbing in the best way because it tackles the uncomfortable dynamics of a student-teacher relationship alongside dangerous scientific research involving two humans. The use of songs, especially “To Sir, with Love,” was a perfect choice and made certain scenes even funnier.

Ross Pesigan (whom I previously watched in Anino sa Likod ng Buwan) was excellent at portraying someone who constantly dismissed Ruby Sanchez’s character while subtly revealing his own vulnerability. You could see it whenever he burst into laughter or became visibly giddy because of all her antics and “pabebe” moments.

The scientific terms and references to famous scientists added another layer of comedy, keeping the audience guessing where the story was actually heading. One of my favorite parts was hearing everyone’s reactions. We all knew the situation was so wrong, yet undeniably hilarious at the same time. You could almost feel the audience collectively holding their breath, hoping the characters wouldn’t cross that very thin line.

ACT 2 (Gab Pangilinan and Euden Moie)
This was a fascinating story because, for most of the act, I couldn’t tell whether it was a folktale, a love story, or something that happened in present day situation in Bicol since we are talking about Buringkantada. That uncertainty made it even more engaging.

The biggest highlight, however, was Gab Pangilinan’s incredible acting. Even when the dialogue used unfamiliar words and expressions, her performance carried every emotion so effectively that you never felt lost.

For some reason, I kept thinking this was like a folktale version of 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, especially with all the letters and poems she wrote for Euden’s character.

My only minor complaint was the repeated lines that seemed to exist solely to translate the dialogue into Tagalog. It slightly disrupted the flow for me. Even so, this ended up being my favorite story of the three.

ACT 3 (Kokoy De Santos, Phi Palmos, and Loudette Varias)
This is probably the most talked-about act online, especially on Reddit, and I can understand why.
At its core, the story is a little cliché, but the performances elevated it. Loudette Varias, in particular, kept me invested throughout the act. This isn’t your typical lovers plus bestfriend love triangle. Instead, it offers a queer love story that still feels very relevant today.

Phi Palmos delivered almost every joke effortlessly, while Kokoy De Santos had the kind of charm and sex appeal that made it believable why both characters fell for him.

The use of Jolina Magdangal songs was brilliant. Every song choice fit the scenes perfectly and made the comedy land even better. The story occasionally leaned into cheesy and corny territory, but the cast’s performances made it work.
The only scene that didn’t quite land for me was the Papa Jack segment, which felt unnecessary. I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about this story overall, but I genuinely enjoyed watching it.

Overall
MAPANAKIT is a wonderful play that deserves to be experienced by more people. It balances humor, discomfort, romance, and social commentary in a way that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end.
Congratulations to playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc and the entire cast and creative team. And of course, let’s continue supporting these incredibly talented community theater actors from Biñan. They delivered a memorable theatrical experience that is both entertaining and thought provoking.

We watched the final show of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory yesterday, and it was such a fun experience. As a fan of both movie adaptations, I was especially excited to hear “Pure Imagination” performed live and to see Miss Karylle make her long awaited return to the stage.

There were noticeable changes to the story compared to the original films, which were obvious if you’re already familiar with them. Acting-wise, there were a few minor mishaps, but they were easy to forgive because the cast delivered such an enjoyable performance overall. Charlie and Wonka were definite standouts. Karylle also did a great job as Charlie’s mother. My only observation was that her speaking accent wasn’t always consistent, at times it sounded more her usual Povedan accent, while in other moments it leaned more European.

As someone who loves the movies, I was expecting to get emotional, especially during the more heartfelt moments. While the musical was incredibly entertaining and magical, it didn’t quite reach the same emotional impact for me as the film versions, which still leave me bawling every time I watch them.

The stage production was another highlight, especially the practical effects. My friend and I were genuinely amazed by some of the magic tricks, we kept looking at each other like little kids, wondering, “How did they do that?” It added so much wonder to the experience.
One thing I kept thinking about, though, was the projected visuals.

Did the production use AI for some of the screen layouts or designs? Some of the projections had that AI generated feel, and personally, they didn’t match the level of grandeur and whimsy I imagined for Willy Wonka’s world. Maybe it’s because I’m comparing it to the incredible production design of Shrek last year, which really set a high bar for me.

Lastly, I have to mention Michael Dalke as Wonka. His unexpected rendition of “Basang Basa sa Ulan” by Aegis completely caught the audience off guard. You could feel everyone in the theater light up,it was such a fun and memorable moment. And of course, his performance of “Pure Imagination” was absolutely beautiful. His voice suited the song perfectly, making it one of the highlights of the entire show.

Overall, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a fun, magical, and family friendly production. While it didn’t hit me emotionally the way the films do, it more than made up for it with its charm, impressive practical stage magic, and a cast that clearly poured their hearts into the performance.

I feel so lucky to have scored a ticket to Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. This is one of those productions that simply shouldn’t be missed.

Every single member of the cast was incredible. What I loved most was how unapologetically meta the show is having the actors play versions of themselves while poking fun at Philippine theater’s so-called golden era, its controversies, misconceptions, stereotypes, and the beautiful chaos that comes with it. We also get the same delightfully chaotic meta version of Eugene Domingo from the Septic Tank franchise, now joined by friends as they attempt to mount the “grandest cheter production” of Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas by Aurelio Tolentino, all while trying to make it appeal to a wider audience and, of course, stay true to Eugene’s vision.
I’ll stop there to avoid spoilers.

The standout for me was JC Santos. He was hilariously awkward onstage, and his comedic timing was impeccable. As a longtime fan of Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast, I couldn’t stop laughing every time Direk Andoy was onstage. Such a brilliant actor(ang dating boldstar na game mag hubad).
And then there’s Eugene Domingo. She’s a star, an icon, a Philippine national treasure. Seeing her perform live on the PETA stage honestly felt like a full circle moment for me though now I’m just craving to see her in even more theater productions.

Finally… JOSH. JOSHUA. JOSHEE. This guy is absolutely adorable. He completely stole my heart and became one of the biggest highlights of the show. Safe to say, I have a new theater crush.

I really hope everyone gets the chance to watch Ang Babae sa Septic Tank. I know it’s sold out, but I’m hoping a ticket somehow finds its way to everyone still looking for one.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

We finally watched Man of La Mancha yesterday after seeing so much praise for it on Reddit. Even though the tickets weren’t cheap and making the trip to Repertory Philippines’ theater in Eastwood was a bit of a challenge, I’m glad we went.

First, I have to commend the staging. The suspended walls were such a clever visual element and really transformed the venue, it barely felt like we were watching a show in what used to be a cinema theater. That said, I do have one concern: the theater was incredibly hot. A lot of the audience, myself included, had to use handheld fans because we were sweating throughout the performance. Even Mikkie apologized about the air-conditioning during stage door, so it definitely wasn’t just us.

Performance-wise, Nonie, Katrine, and Marvin were the absolute standouts for me. Marvin brought so much humor to the show, and his songs ended up being the most memorable. Katrine’s operatic voice completely blew me away, while Nonie’s acting was simply impeccable a truly world-class. The entire cast was fantastic, though. Everyone had incredible voices, and I have to admit Khalil Tambio made me blush every time he sang.

It was also fun spotting familiar faces, Alfredo, who played Lord Farquaad in Shrek; Tarek from Waiting for Godot; and Steven from Ateneo’s The Addams Family.
I’m not usually a fan of stories like Man of La Mancha, but the way this production was staged and performed completely won me over. It was a wonderful theatrical experience, and personally, it’s the best production I’ve seen from Repertory Philippines so far.

Huge thanks to my friend for giving us tickets to this incredible show! 🤍 What an unforgettable experience. The talent was absolutely out of this world, and seeing some of my favorite theater actors giving their all on stage was such a treat.

And to make it even better, there were so many fellow theater actors in the audience too—it really felt like a celebration of the theater community. Such a good day to be a theater fan. 🎭✨

Fave Performance - Omar, Bituin, Sheena, Lance

The Spongebob Musical @ Carlos P Romulo Auditorium - RCBC Plaza Makati (Saturday - 7pm - June 20,2026)

First, I’d like to congratulate the production for bringing this show to the stage, especially after a song from the musical became a huge TikTok trend in Q1 2026. I was very curious about it since I wasn’t familiar with the songs or the plot. Having grown up watching SpongeBob, and knowing this was a benefit production for Tuloy Foundation Performing Arts, I went in with modest expectations.

Luigi did a fantastic job and, for me, was the most dedicated performer in the cast. He is the perfect SpongeBob. After seeing him in Shrek the Musical last year, this role felt like a natural fit. The energy, the laugh, the voice, and the enthusiasm.,he truly embodied the character and absolutely nailed it.

My biggest surprise was Squidward. The gender-swapped casting was a unique choice, but it worked incredibly well. She delivered the show’s strongest solo number, and the performance gave me major A Chorus Line energy. Her vocals were powerful, and she brought something fresh to the role.

As for Patrick, I think he lacked some of the essence that makes Patrick. He has an amazing voice and is clearly a talented singer, but at times it felt like I was watching a great vocalist rather than the character himself. The vocals were there, but the characterization didn’t fully land for me.

The rest of the cast was good overall. It’s hard for me to critique the younger performers because they were simply adorable. Karen, in particular, was hilarious and sang very well.

My only major criticism would be the performance of the Press character. I hope it was simply one of those nights where nerves got the better of her because she struggled with the song and was noticeably off-pitch at times. If she happens to read this, I genuinely hope she bounces back for the remaining performances. It happens to the best performers, and I’m rooting for her.

The show also experienced some noticeable microphone and sound issues, particularly affecting Sandy, Squidward, Patrick, and several members of the ensemble. There were moments when it was genuinely difficult to understand the dialogue and lyrics. Hopefully, this can be addressed in future performances because it did impact the overall experience.

Overall, it was an enjoyable production with some standout performances, particularly from Luigi and Squidward, and it’s always great to support a show that also benefits a meaningful cause.

We attended Broadway Bash by Studio M, and it was a fun event singing along with everyone to famous show tunes from Wicked, Rent, Spring Awakening, and more.

I think there were fewer than 30 people in attendance, which is probably around the venue’s capacity. While I had fun, I do wish they had elevated the experience a bit more. There were moments when it felt like something I could have done at home with Spotify playing and lyrics on a screen. But really, the redeeming factor of it all was being surrounded by people who are hardcore theater fans, people who love to sing, dance, and celebrate musical theater together. Everyone was incredibly supportive of those who came up to the stage to sing their hearts out and have their own little Broadway moment. That sense of community is what made the event special for me.

Side note: we could barely hear some of the people singing in front because the microphone wasn’t loud enough compared to the Spotify tracks playing in the background, which was a bit unfortunate since it made it harder to appreciate their performances.

Dami Pang Gustong Sabihin (Teatro Marco) - May 17, 8pm - Maginhawa QC

We watched this show last night not knowing what to expect, but we really wanted to see more queer theater stories. This show is a twin bill, featuring two stories separated into two acts with a 15 minute break in between.

I had an amazing time watching this show overall, but here are my pros and cons:

Pros:
• Both stories are very relatable and easy to digest. Every hugot line and pabebe moment really captured the audience’s attention, and we were reacting to all the kilig moments and sarcastic remarks throughout the show. They really know how to get a reaction from their audience.

• Acting-wise, I was really impressed by how believable the performances were. The acting still feels raw and could use more polishing, but you can already see the potential in each actor. Alex and Drei have this cute song that they sing, and they both have amazing voices. Arman and Drew showed intense chemistry and strong comedic timing with the way they delivered their lines.

Cons:
This is only their second week, and I understand that technical issues can still happen, but their microphones had issues for about 80% of the show. The speaker quality was also very muffled, which made it hard for us to understand some parts. Given that situation, I hope the actors can be more aware of projecting their voices louder so the audience can hear them clearly.

Overall, this is still an impressive production. Congrats to the whole team! If you can, catch them on their extended run until May 23.

The Addams Family Musical – May 3, 2 PM

I was not planning to watch this show, but thankfully, I did. I did my research before going to Areté and even watched the bootleg on YouTube. To be honest, I was already amazed by the plot and especially the music, but I was also worried whether they would be able to match the comedy and vocals especially for Wednesday.

This cast did not disappoint. They definitely met my expectations for the show. I was especially surprised by Wednesday, Gomez, and Fester. I absolutely loved Fester’s character, the way he was portrayed, his mannerisms, and overall stage presence. He was super funny and charismatic. Gomez was the strongest character for me and delivered the role perfectly. Wednesday also met my expectations vocally, and I can see that she has a lot of potential in her career.

The stage and production design were amazing, especially for a university-based production. My only letdowns were Morticia and Grandma. Morticia is a great singer, which redeemed the performance for me to some extent, but I was disappointed with her acting. For some reason, something wasn’t connecting, and her performance felt flat in most of her scenes.

Overall, this was a great show. I unexpectedly had a change of heart about Ateneo Blue Repertory, and I’ll definitely be expecting more beautiful productions from them in the future. Congrats as well to the ensemble.. you were amazing.

Last note: I’m not sure if this was because it was a show-buy, but the audience was way too loud. It went beyond my standard level of audience excitement for a theater show. That kind of loudness was honestly distracting and a bit annoying.