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 Jacinto 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 Revolutionary scout Isyo (Joshua Cadelina) found him, but he was too weak to escape.
As Jacinto'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, and "Liwanag at Dilim,""Katapusan" and "Kalayaan" in Act 2. The main highlight of Act 1 was Jacinto's masterpiece, "Ang Kartilya" which Yatco ingeniously set into a rapping rhythm, "Hamilton"-style. "Ikaw ang Liwanag," a love duet between Emilio and Catalina, was a refreshing breath of fresh air in Act 2.
Emilio Jacinto was onstage for the whole 2-hour length (with a 10 minute intermission), so this was a most exhausting role for Vic Robinson. I do not remember seeing him tackle such an important big role with impressive conviction and passion. With every song he aced the various genres, from punishing belts of "Ang Kasalanan ni Cain" to the rapping of "Kartilya." 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, but as always Kakki rocked the role, especially with her featured song "Ang Ating Pinaglalaban."
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 young man Isyo, Joshua Cadelina got to lead the ensemble in two songs -- "1898" and "Liwanag sa Dilim (Reprise)".
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).
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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.