Noel Rayos on portraying Jesus as a supporting role in 'Pilato'

Noel Rayos on portraying Jesus as a supporting role in ‘Pilato’

/ 02:14 PM April 12, 2025

Noel Rayos (front) with the cast members of 'Pilato' during the press conference for the original Filipino musical

Noel Rayos (front) with the cast members of ‘Pilato’ during the press conference for the original Filipino musical/ARMIN P. ADINA

A new provocative all-original Filipino musical play is offering a different perspective in retelling the all-too-familiar story of the Passion of Christ, this time taking Pontius Pilate’s point of view, and having Jesus as a supporting role.

Veteran theater thespian Noel Rayos is bringing life to this interesting take on the role of Jesus Christ in “Pilato,” the maiden offering of budding theater company The Corner Studio, and currently running at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City.

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In an interview, Rayos told INQUIRER.net that he took the project because of the music. “Plain and simple, it sings itself. I would love to bring life to the skeleton provided by the music,” he said.

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“I think it’s inspired, I think it provokes thought, it provokes emotion. Tapos kung paano kami ma-affect, sana mahawa kayo. May mapupulot po tayong lahat (I hope it affects you the same way it hit us. We will all learn something from it),” he continued.

READ: Cynthia Erivo to portray Jesus in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ musical

Rayos shared that he had portrayed Jesus before, but the first time was decades ago. “I  barely remember it because it was a very short run, I think only three shows in Dulaang UP, one weekend, and my last year in college,” he said.

And now that he is reprising the beloved character, Rayos jested that it is fun because “kasi hindi ako pagod, chill ka lang (I am not tired, I am just chill).” But he reminded the pubic that the role is still significant.

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“It’s exciting because the play is not on my shoulders. But you will definitely remember him because he’s creating pivots around the show,” he explained.

“Pilato” is written and directed by Eldrin Veloso, who has long been wanting to take a different spin on the traditional “cenakulo,” a retelling of the story of Jesus performed in public plazas and other venues during the Holy Week.

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The play asks “Ano ba ang katotohanan? (What is the truth?)” by showing Jesus as a victim of one of the first systematic proliferations of fake news. He said it is a relevant question not only for Lent, but more importantly for the upcoming mid-term elections.

To help him with the ambitious quest of mounting an all-original musical play covering a story retold countless times, Veloso tapped on prolific composer Yanni Robeniol to lay the music on the lyrics he authored. Pauline Arejola takes on the role of musical director.

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“Pilato” is currently on its final weekend at the PETA Theater Center on Sunnyside Drive in Quezon City. Visit pilato.helixpay.ph for tickets.

TAGS: Holy Week, Jesus Christ, reflection

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