We were happy a couple of years ago when Peta scored a big hit with its “Rak of Aegis” musical. The homegrown show was so successful that it had several more runs, all SRO affairs.
Peta’s success went a long way in “balancing” the predominant popularity in these parts of imported, “Broadway” musicals, no thanks to our still pervasive colonial mentality.
While we celebrated the success of “Rak of Aegis,” however, we wondered what would happen after its long run. Would the local theater scene go back to business as usual, with foreign works still ruling the roost? What would Peta do for an encore?
We’re glad to hear that the theater company’s follow-up production, “Three Stars and a Sun,” is inspired by, and based on, the songs and rap anthems of Francis Magalona.
Francis M was a plugged-in nationalist whose music celebrated the essence of being Filipino. Yes, rap is a “borrowed” form of with-it, streetwise lyrical and musical expression, but Francis M “Filipinized” it for his own significant purposes—and relevance to the local scene.
Significant contribution
So, as far as the songs in the new Peta musical go, “Three Stars and a Sun” should turn out to be a significant contribution that deserves to succeed as much as “Rak of Aegis.”
Of course, the script that integrates all of the show’s elements into an organic whole is another major consideration, but things are looking up.
So, we hope that Peta’s new musical turns out to be a huge success because the themes in Francis M’s songs are even more significant and relevant than the Aegis band’s heart-tuggers.
One big hit deserves another so that the popularity of Filipino musicals will be further enhanced! So, let’s all make it a point to patronize the production when it opens next month.
Another big success that deserves a follow-up hit to end up as a “one-two punch” is “A Second Chance,” now hailed as the most popular Filipino film ever made.
The next time around, Star Cinema should follow up with a well-scripted and -directed movie primarily built around the thespic gifts of Bea Alonzo.
The beautiful and gifted actress has what it takes to play the sole protagonist of a challenging dramatic film—so, go for it!
Thinking more long-range, the success of “Heneral Luna” similarly encourages us to wish for another big, insightful historical film from its producers.
Luckily for us, that follow-up project has already been green-lighted for production and will be about another hero, Gen. Gregorio del Pilar.
The fact that Del Pilar was even younger than Luna should make the film about him even more popular with and accessible to young and young-adult viewers.
Let’s hope that we get to see the Del Pilar film within the year—and that it turns out to be at least as big a hit as “Heneral Luna!”