Searching & finding the Filipino soul in Musikal!

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) recently celebrated 45 years of existence with a star-studded tribute to the Filipino musical called Musikal! This was a night that paid tribute to an artistic genre that takes its influence from Broadway and indeed, the CCP has staged many an iconic show from abroad in the last four and a half decades. Yet, the Broadway musical had no place there that night.

Last weekend, the CCP demonstrated the maturation of an artistic genre, Ang Orihinal Musikal Pilipino, a new-brand of Filipinization that has grown under our noses. We have been watching uniquely Pinoy stories set to music for as long as we can remember. That night, we witnessed the genre’s incredible diversity and strength of the Filipino writer, actor, director and composer. Music is truly part of the Filipino soul.

Lea Salonga provided the evening’s preface. Dressed in elegant royal blue, the internationally-acclaimed musical theater star reminisced how the CCP has been an important part of her life. She made her stage debut at the age of seven with Repertory Philippines in the King and I and recalled waiting in one of the CCP’s rehearsal halls at the age of 17 “for the role that would change her life.” This was, of course, Miss Saigon, where Lea played the lead, and brought the name and talents of the Filipino to the musical centers of the world.

Musikal! brought us back to Manila’s musical theater history. The review began with Makikiliti Kang Totoo from Walang Sugat, a Kundiman-inspired number. From this intimately Pinoy selection, Musikal! spread out its talented wings encompassing diverse musical genres like jazz, zarzuela and Pinoy Rock. We were treated to songs written by industry legends like Ryan Cayabyab, Jaime del Mundo and Nestor Torre.

One performance that stood out that night was from Sandosenang Sapatos. It told of wheelchair-bound little girl Susie (Trixie Esteban) who pleads with the shoe-fairy to give her feet one night a year so she can dance at her father’s birthday. Decked out on roller blades and in colorful costumes (designed by James Reyes), Susie stretches out her newfound feet while singing her heart out the birthday song to her beloved father. We saw how much the audience was affected by this number that brought tears to many eyes.

We also appreciated the gay block of Musikal!: A grouping of Filipino musical theater hits featuring homosexual themes. CareDivas, performed by PETA, completed the number in flamboyant costumes in angel-inspired white that drew extra applause from an appreciative audience. Bit by Bit Company performed a sweet duet from Maxie, The Musical, where a 12-year-old Maxie, played by former Talentadong Pinoy champion Jayvhot Galang expresses his innocent infatuation with a handsome new cop, played by architect-turned-actor Jojo Riguerra. The gay block of Musikal! ended with the bittersweet komiks character Zsazsa Zaturnnah who, after a fearless battle against rampaging zombies, recognizes her late father as one of the undead who, even post-mortem, harbors disdain for his son’s sexual orientation. Wenah Nagales performed as a busty Zaturnnah and Nar Cabico is Didi, her best friend.

By the end of the gala evening, we had watched excerpts from 22 Filipino musicals from eight theater companies featuring their original casts. We were treated to additional performances from Ballet Philippines, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers. In the orchestra pit, tirelessly played the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Salonga. It was truly a musical evening to remember.

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