For Jolina Magdangal, Ice Seguerra, theater is all about collaboration

Jolina Magdangal and Ice Seguerra are aware of how packed their schedules have been, but that didn’t stop them from taking the chance to be part of the restaging of “Walang Aray.”

The historical musical marks Magdangal’s theater debut, where she takes on the role of Juana. As the mother of Julia, Juana is controlling, uptight and often comically exaggerated in establishing her power — before coming around eventually. Meanwhile, Seguerra stars as Ice, Tenyong’s loyal best friend, who is free to express his love for Monica.

Getting into rehearsals, run-throughs, and warm-ups is a new experience for Magdangal, which she is “very happy” about. “Sa theater, hindi lang siya basta na ibibigay ang storya tapos i-acting mo, kahit hindi mo nakikita pero sinasabi ang [certain timeline] maiiba ang perception mo d’un sa ginagalawan mo. Eskuwelahan na rin siya.”

(In theater, it’s more than receiving the story and acting it out. Even if you don’t see certain things, your co-star would say them, which changes your perception of the scene you’re working on. It’s like school.)

Meanwhile, “Walang Aray’s” restaging is not new for Seguerra, who made a name for himself as a theater actor. However, it came at a time when he was balancing an album, concerts and other commitments. “Ginawa ko siya sa tamang panahon kahit hindi naman talaga. Ang dami kong ginagawa, tatagos na ako sa pader,” he told Inquirer Entertainment while laughing and shaking his head. Magdangal and this writer couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

“Siguro believer ako na kung anong trip mo at ikakasaya mo, gagawan mo ng panahon. This is me making time for things I know magiging masaya ako. My wife even asked me [about the things I’m doing at the moment]. Honestly, gusto kong sabihin na actually, ‘Hindi ako aware.’ Pero eto na eh. Since I said yes to this, it’s more of okay, I’ll find the little joys to go here every day.” 

(I did it at the right time, even if it’s not really quite the right time. I’m doing a lot of things. I can collapse on a well. I guess I believe that if something makes you happy, you dedicate your efforts to it. This is me making time for things I know I’ll be happy with. My wife even asked me about the things I’m doing at the moment. I honestly wanted to tell her that I’m not aware. But I’m already here. Since I said yes to this, it’s more of okay, I’ll find the little joys to go here every day.)

How Jolina and Ice perceive love after ‘Walang Aray’

One of the highlights of the musical is the different kinds of love. Despite coming from different backgrounds amid the horrors of war, their love was their only reason to stay strong. Juana finds love in someone new. Miguel comes out and declares his love for a fellow man. Lucas and Monica might be considered as indios, yet they’re the freest.

“Of all the characters, masasabi ko na sina Lucas and Monica ang most free. They can express their love, unlike the elites na kailangang magtago,” Seguerra said of his character’s love story. “Para sa kanilang lahat, kahit sabihin natin na sina Lucas at Monica ang medyo alipin, pero sila pa rin ang malaya at kaya nilang gawin ang gustong gawin. Nakakamahal sila nang malaya.”

(Of all the characters, I can say that Lucas and Monica are the freest. They can express their love, unlike the elites who have to hide. We may say that Lucas and Monica are somehow slaves, but they’re free, and they can do anything they want. They can love freely.)

For her part, Magdangal is aware of how Juana would stop her “daughter” from living freely, but she finds Tenyong and Julia’s story so beautiful that it can withstand whatever life throws at them.

“Para kay Tenyong and Julia, kahit ilang bundok ang humarap sa’tin, pero kapag kayo, kayo. Gagawa at gagawa kayo ng paraan para maging kayo. Feeling ko iba-iba ang tingin nila sa pinakita nina Julia at Tenyong pero may nangyayari talagang gan’un, at naniniwala ako na para sa’yo ang love,” she said.

(For Tenyong and Julia, a lot of mountains may stop them, but if they’re meant to be, they are meant to be. They will do anything just to be together. I feel like people have different points of view of what Julia and Tenyong showed, but a love like that really happens. I also believe that love is meant for everyone.)

With Tenyong and Julia’s love story in mind, Seguerra said it also reminds the audience that love is about hard work. “Ang reflection ko sa leads and my personal life is that love is hard work. It is a feeling, but feelings come and go.”

“What makes love stay is hard work. You work on each other every day and help each other every day,” he continued. “Mas nareinforce sa’kin ang pagmamahal is that you have to always show up, even if you are at your 20% lang, it’s not always pantay. Sometimes, 50-50, you have to give more.”

(My reflection on the leads and my personal life is that love is hard work. It is a feeling, but feelings come and go. What makes love stay is hard work. You work on each other every day and help each other every day. Love is reinforced when you have to always show up, even if you’re only at 20%. It’s not always equal. Sometimes, it’s 50-50, you have to give more.)

Magdangal and Seguerra might’ve been aware of the musical’s legacy for a while, but they believe that they joined the cast at the right time and state of their lives.

“Naka-ilang experience ako na may audition ako, tapos hindi matutuloy… Matagal ko nang hinihintay na magkaroon ng project na gusto ko,” Magdangal said. “Even ‘yung timing, gusto mo pero hindi pasok kasi ayoko ng kalahati lang ang maibigay ko ‘dun. Ito ay nangyari sa tamang panahon and [tamang] state ng pagkatao ko. Naka-align siya.”

(I had a lot of instances where I would be asked to audition, but they wouldn’t push through. I had long waited for projects that I wanted to do. Even the timing, I wanted it, but then you’re not a hundred percent ready to give your all. This came about at the right time and right state of mind. Things had aligned. 

In turn, Seguerra said: “Naisip ko na, ‘Wow, tama ba ang pinasok ko?’ Physical siya. Bukod d’un, ang daming gawain labas dito. Will I be able to give it the time it deserves? But now that we were able to run both acts, every day mas lumalakas ang apog namin. And ang maganda, kaya nakaka-boost siya ng confidence kasi we help each other out. For me, that’s what makes theater beautiful.”

(I would think if I’m doing the right thing. Because it’s a physical thing. Aside from that, I’m doing a lot of things outside of theater. Will I be able to give it the time it deserves? But now that we were able to run both acts, the more fire to do well comes out. What makes things nice is that we help each other, boosting our confidence. For me, that’s what makes theater beautiful.)

PETA’s “Walang Aray” is running until Oct. 12. /ra