Walang Aray Returns to Stage with Renewed Focus on Love and Revolution

Following its acclaimed premiere in 2023 and sweeping eight Gawad Buhay Awards, the Filipino musical Walang Aray is set to return stronger than ever. The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) announced that the production will run at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City from August 29 to October 12, inviting new audiences to experience its compelling narrative about love and revolution.

Artistic Director J-mee Katanyag emphasized the production's deepened exploration of the interplay between love and power, explaining, "This season, we explore how love and power intersect, examining how our romantic, familial, and national relationships are shaped and often wounded by systems of control." She further described the musical as a reimagining of history that prompts viewers to consider "what if love is not a feeling, but a revolutionary act?"

Inspired by Severino Reyes' classic sarswela Walang Sugat, this iteration of Walang Aray is directed by Ian Segarra, with a script by Rody Vera and musical direction by Vince Lim. Associate Director Norbs Portales joins the creative team for this season.

Set in 1896 during the Philippine revolution, the story follows the love between Julia and Tenyong. Returning award-winning cast members include Shaira Opsimar and Marynor Madamesila, who alternate as Julia, alongside Gio Gahol and Jon Abella as Tenyong. The production also welcomes Lance Reblando, a transwoman portraying Julia for the first time, marking a significant advancement for LGBTQ+ representation in Filipino musical theater.

Reblando shared, "I'm thankful for PETA because I never knew this could happen, that I could be a leading lady. It's a dream come true." She added that her lived experience as a transwoman brings a unique dimension to the character. Gahol, who also serves as the production's choreographer, emphasized the importance of inclusive casting, noting, "As a gay professional, I will always advocate for my community in any space. We didn't feel the need to announce it as a marketing stunt. We just went and did it." He highlighted the dynamic brought by having three actors play Julia, each embodying different expressions of love.

The ensemble features both returning and new actors: Bene Manaois and Rendell Sanchez as Miguel; Kiki Baento and Divine Aucina as Monica; Carlon Matobato and Ice Seguerra, a transman, as Lucas; and Neomi Gonzales, Jolina Magdangal in her theater debut, and Gold Villar-Lim portraying Juana.

Katanyag noted the relevance of the recent rewrite, pointing out, "When we did the rewrite, we had the chance to review the text and think of how it is relevant to the times. We discussed with Rody Vera that the Philippines was nonbinary until the Spanish colonized us." She added that casting decisions were based purely on the merit of auditions.

Associate Director Portales remarked on improvements made to this season's presentation: "The themes are sharper now that we refined the dramaturgy. We want to manage the laughs so the profundity of the wounds and their healing aren't lost amid the humor." Musical Director Lim indicated significant enhancements to the vocal and instrumental arrangements, estimating about 95% of them have been upgraded. "The biggest difference is the new talent coming in, which brings a whole lot of good energy," he noted.

Jun Reyes, grandson of Severino Reyes, spoke about the production's mission to reinvent the sarswela into a contemporary musical form. "The vision is for it to be translated to a modern audience, to actually entertain. Part of the entertainment process is the jokes and the music with a more modern arrangement, so that the message of tumindig at umibig allows the classic sarswela of my grandfather to reach more audiences," he said.

Reyes confirmed that while the story's core remains unchanged, the music has been completely reworked, maintaining the original plot and characters but refreshed for today's viewers.

Presented by PETA in collaboration with Indie.Go Media and Metrobank, Walang Aray is now accepting ticket reservations through Ticket2Me. This renewed production aims to captivate both returning theatergoers and newcomers alike with its powerful portrayal of love as an act of revolution.