We have written and directed many productions, but “Magsimula Ka” stands out as one of our most performed musicals and most productive showcases for outstanding young talents who have gone on to successful careers here and abroad.
That’s why, when eminent “Magsi” alumnus and our scriptwriting-acting-directing workshopper, Robert Seña, said he wanted to launch his directorial career by way of a new staging of the Filipino musical we had all come to love, we agreed to his request.
True enough, when Robert’s “Magsi” had its run at Music Museum last year (it’s up for repeat runs next season), we were in proud-as-Tatay attendance.
The plan then was to use the restaging as a reunion for the original cast members of the hit show, many of whom are based abroad. But, the “class reunion” plan fell through, so in the months that followed, we’ve been having a series of smaller “spot” reunions with our “Magsi” graduates.
Stalwarts
Last May, Robert and his wife, Isay Alvarez, another “Magsi” lead player, threw a birthday bash for us in their beautiful weekend getaway in Isay’s hometown, Guiguinto, Bulacan. Among the “surprise” guests at that event were other “Magsi” stalwarts like Bicong del Rosario, Albert Avellana and Gela Calabia. It was great to see how well they’ve been doing, both in their private and professional lives, and how much they still loved “our” show.
Like Robert, Bicong had gone on to play the male lead role of The Engineer in “Miss Saigon” internationally, so we hope that he can find time to perform in Filipino musical here, as well.
Albert is doing great as an art gallery owner who gives new talents the early showcase they deserve—much like “Magsi” gave him and his colleagues their all-important break as young performers, resulting in stardom for them and other musical theater comers like Jograd dela Torre, Beverly Salviejo, Tricia Amper, Gigi Posadas, Bobby Martino, Joel Lorenzo, Rina Reyes—etc!
Short break
Months later, Robert organized another “spot” reunion, this time to touch base with “Magsi” male lead, Dio Marco, who was on a short break from his stint as performer-gondolier in Macau. Other “alumni” like Jograd and Tricia were able to make it to that fun occasion, and they had a great time razzing each other for past booboos and escapades.
Then, just last month, we got a call from Albert, who said that Jingle Henares, who’s now based in Austria, was in town, so could we get together for lunch at the posh compound where his gallery was located.
Jingle was one of the most exuberant and fun-loving members of our show’s original cast, so we made sure we were all present and accounted for to catch up on old times. True enough, Jingle lit up our entire afternoon in a special way with her vitality and love for life. We hope to return the favor when we visit her in her “small village” tucked away in her own corner of Austria next year!
Process
At Albert’s lunch-reunion, we shared that, when we caught up with Jograd at the dinner for Dio a few months ago, we were reminded of Jograd’s outstanding talent and were now in the process of putting up a comeback comedy project for him, to remind others of his great comedic gift, as well.
For proof positive, Jograd performed a short “comedy poetry” number that had everyone in stitches—so, hopes are high that Jograd’s comeback, scheduled early next year, will be a singular success.
Truly, he deserves nothing less—and another loyal “fan” of his, Kuh Ledesma, will enthusiastically vouch for that. With time-tested supporters like Kuh, Isay and Robert on his side, how can Jograd go wrong?