BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Piolo Pascual finally makes his theater comeback after 30 years. In the musical, he portrays the lead character in Noli Me Tangere, Crisostomo Ibarra.

One may note that the Flower of Evil actor received many offers before but they have conflicting schedules. He also said that a theatrical production who wants get him as an actor must both be an original and in Filipino.

When the lead role in Ibarra was offered to him, Piolo said he accepted it right away. “I don’t know what I got myself into,” he joked. “Kaya ako nanginginig because of these veterans,” he added. The 46-year-old actor even admitted to having jitters. “Going back to theater is something I wanted to do again and a musical is something I haven’t done before,” he explained

A 7-minute excerpt showcased Piolo’s solo song about his return to the Philippines from Spain and his duet with Myraemae Meneses (Maria Clara) which was full of longing and had really good blending between the two of them. The latter had a progression of notes that may be familiar to churchgoers, because it sounded like the rising notes in the bridge part of ‘Papuri sa Diyos’.

“Noli Me Tangere is one of the most prominent books ever written,” he said. Piolo is excited to do something he has never done before. “It feels so fulfilling as an artist to get out of your comfort zone,” he stated.

“I think kahit ano’ng parte ng mundo or level ng tao, everyone can relate to this story because it is still happening,” said Jon Joven Uy, who plays Pilosopo Tasyo. This was also Jeffrey Hidalgo’s theater comeback, who last performed more than 5 years ago in Gantimpala Theater’s ‘El Filibusterismo’.

Incidentally, the director of ‘Ibarra’ is one of the resident theater directors of the 4 decades old theater company, Frannie Zamora. “Everyone has to watch it to be reminded and be proud as Filipinos,” said Piolo. During the media conference held at the GSIS Theater Building, Piolo also shared that he has an upcoming series with Netflix and a concert.

Other cast members are: Carlos Canlas (Alferez/Ibarra understudy), Floyd Tena (Basilio’s father), Jeffrey Hidalgo (Elias), Carla Guevara-Laforteza (Donya Victorina), Nicole Laurel-Asensio (Sisa), Kevin Posadas (Elias), Dea Formacil (Donya Consolacion), and Neil Tolentino (Don Tiburcio).

The rest of Ibarra’s artistic team is comprised of Jomar Fleras (book), Paul Alexander Morales (choreography), Mio Infante (production design), and Dong Calingacion (lighting design). The musical will run from June 8 to 18 at the GSIS Theater. This is produced by Tanghalang Obra Uno and GSIS.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Instagram (@Piolo_Pascual)