‘Tabing Ilog: The Musical’ returns with ‘braver’ performances

The cast of “Tabing Ilog: The Musical” —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

“The longer the run, the better the production gets,” said composer Vincent de Jesus as a way to entice local audiences to watch the restaging of “Tabing Ilog: The Musical” in November.

“I’ve rearranged half of the songs featured in the musical,” said De Jesus, who serves as its musical director. “I did this to increase the show’s general energy. We have 25 more shows this time. I just realized that the good thing about having a rerun is that you’re given the chance to do things you have never done before.”

The show is based on the ABS-CBN teen drama series “Tabing Ilog” that aired from 1999 to 2003 and was top-billed by Kaye Abad (Eds), Paolo Contis (Badong), John Lloyd Cruz (Rovic), Desiree del Valle (Corrinne), Patrick Garcia (James), Baron Geisler (Fonzy), Paula Peralejo (Anne) and Jodi Sta. Maria (George).

Set in a modern timeline, the musical will run from Nov. 8 to Dec. 1 at the Peta Theater Center in Quezon City.

According to its director, Phil Noble, “Tabing Ilog” received positive feedback from those who saw it during its November 2023 run, enough for it to merit a restaging this year.

“The truth is that it was merely our friends who would tell us to tweak this or that. A part of the choreography was changed—it was improved. Portions of the set were modified, too,” he said during a recent media gathering.

“In terms of the characters, everyone is still there. I’m quite sure the kids will show more depth in their interpretation this time because they will be returning to our set with new experiences.”

Stronger

Artists who brought the characters to life in the first run are back. Vivoree Esclito and Sheena Belarmino will alternate as Eds, Benedix Ramos and Akira Morishita will portray Rovic, while Miah Canton and Anji Salvacion will play Corrinne.

Vino Mabalot will perform as Fonzy; Kiara Takahashi and Andi Abaya, as George; Jordan Andrews and Kobie Brown, as James; Jude Hinumdum as Badong; and Omar Uddin as Andoy. Jhoanna Robles, of the P-pop group Bini, is also set to return as Eds, while Adrian Lindayag joins the cast as Andoy.

Ramos said Rovic would be more interesting and fun to play this year because he was given enough time to study the character and add more layers to it. “Other elements that will help us retell the story of the people of San Juan E will be added this time. When we go up the stage again, the audience will see a performance that is braver, bolder, stronger and yummier—pinasarap namin ang kwento,” Ramos quipped.

Benedix Ramos, Anji Salvacion, Vivoree Esclito and Sheena Belarmino

Belarmino added that she and Esclito attended a Peta-organized workshop before joining the rerun. “The purpose was for us to be more open not only to exploring Eds more intensely, but also to interacting with our coactors on the set, because that’s where the energy really comes from,” she pointed out.

Esclito agreed with Belarmino but added: “Because this is a rerun, I’m confident that everyone will come up with performances that are more passionate. We all want to do something better than what we did during the first one.”

Genuine friendship

Salvacion, who broke down when it was her turn to speak, recalled the time Noble had tried to motivate her into opening up more and actually living her character. “Direk, I remember when you said you saw growth in me as an actress. I really appreciated that. It made me realize that I really do have something to give, that I can overcome all the negative feelings inside me. Now, I’m back. I’m here again.”

Noble is convinced that “Tabig Ilog” merits a rerun. He observed that the actors have already developed genuine friendship while doing the show. “At work, there’s also very little need to motivate them. They’re no longer coming in with a blank slate. We’re happy to be getting input from them,” he said.

De Jesus added that this was also why he thought of rearranging most of the songs. “They’ve done this last year and I don’t want them to get bored. Phil and I are natural teachers. We try to push them to get better at what they do,” he declared.

Tickets are available via Ticketworld. INQ