Chito Miranda says musical honors Parokya ni Edgar’s legacy
The full cast and creative team of ‘Buruguduystunstugudunstuy’ Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical together with Parokya ni Edgar members and family, Phi Palmos, and Jonathan Manalo, in its June 23 staging. Image: Courtesy of NWR Musicals
Parokya ni Edgar frotman Chito Miranda, said he didn’t want to meddle in the production of the musical “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy,” adding he trusts in the production’s vision especially when it comes to the “creative aspect” of the show.
“Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical,” which ended its run last June 23 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, features 47 songs from the band’s discography, including some from the album of the same name.
The musical tells the story of a bullied high school student, a heartbroken matron, a determined scavenger, and a timid lady guard who all share the same birthday. After coming across a mysterious mirror, they were suddenly transported into the colorful Parokya-verse, where they learn how to conquer their inner demons.
Among the songs included in the show were “Harana,” “Mr. Suave,” “Magic Spaceship,” “Bagsakan,” “Gitara,” and even a snippet of “Ordertaker,” to name a few.
SUABENG SUABE 👏🏻
WATCH: Pepe Herrera — who will star as Mr. Suave in the upcoming “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” musical — treated the press and special guests to a rendition of Parokya ni Edgar’s hit song “Mr. Suave” in a mediacon. | @HMallorcaINQ
pic.twitter.com/9u4CcTZ7m4— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) March 15, 2024
When asked if the OPM band itself contributed to its production, Miranda said neither he nor Parokya ni Edgar had their say in the musical’s production.
“Ayokong makialam, ayokong makigulo. I trust them more than I trust myself when it comes to creativity,” Miranda told reporters on the sidelines of a media gathering.”Okay na ako sa band, but when it comes to theater, mas tiwala ako sa kakayahan nila to come up with something spectacular kaysa makigulo pa.”
(I don’t want to meddle. I don’t want to push for a certain input. I trust them more than I trust myself when it comes to creativity. I’m okay with the band, but when it comes to theater, I trust their ability to come up with something spectacular.)
Instead, Miranda and his bandmates wanted to take on the role of an audience member to be blown away by the reimagined takes of their classic hits.
“While listening to our songs [in the play], I realized na ang ganda pala ng kanta namin. Nagulat ako (that our songs were that good. I am surprised),” he said.
A scene from “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy’ Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical.” Image: Courtesy of NWR Musicals
Parokya’s legacy
On the musical’s inspiration for the title, Miranda shared that he came up with “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” as the name of the band’s second studio album after an out-of-town gig. He was fetched by his brother at the airport where he was asked what the gig was like, which led him to uttering the word mentioned earlier.
“Sa sobrang naging inside joke siya (Since it became much of an inside joke), my bandmates had no problems pronouncing such words,” he recalled.
“The reason why we [went along with] it is because it was a prank for radio DJs and noontime show hosts for them to pronounce our album. Up to now, it’s still a discussion on how to pronounce it, I think it worked,” he further explained.
A scene from “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy’ Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical.” Image: Courtesy of NWR Musicals
It’s been 31 years since Parokya ni Edgar started their career but Miranda is still in disbelief that many people still support their music and they continue to attract new listeners.
“Ang tingin namin sa band up to now ay parang amateur garage band, we’re still a bunch of guys toying with guitars. We are not musicians. We’re just a bunch of entertainers,” he said while asserting that this was not a form of false humility. “[This] worked for us because with the simplicity of our music, nadalian ang mga tao to play it and it became more relatable.”
(We see the band up to now as an amateur garage band. We’re still a bunch of guys toying with guitars. We are not musicians. We’re just a bunch of entertainers. This worked for us because the simplicity of our music made people want to play it by themselves, and it became more relatable.)
WATCH: The cast of “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” also performed a medley of the OPM rock legend’s hit songs.
According to the cast, a total of 47 Parokya ni Edgar songs will be used in the musical which will be staged on April 26. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/EqSxD994dw
— Hannah Mallorca (@HMallorcaINQ) March 15, 2024
Touching on their impact in OPM, Miranda said they initially didn’t plan on going mainstream. But the musical, where the band witnessed how their songs were interpreted, is a reminder of how far their “relatability” had touched the public.
“Wala talaga kaming tiwala when it comes to our music (We don’t have any trust when it comes to our music. We initially didn’t plan on going mainstream,” he said. “To be involved in something larger, this is bigger than us. Theater world na ‘to.”
