Rhap, aminadong freak

MANILA, Philippines — Natupad ang isa sa mga pangarap ni Rhap Salazar, mula sa kanyang bucket lists na makasali sa mundo ng teatro.

First time niyang sumabak sa stage play, kasama siya sa cast ng Side Show: The Musical na nagkaroon ng press preview nung Biyernes sa Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater sa Ayala, Makati.

Sakto na ika-20 years ni Rhap sa music industry.

Noon pa pala siya inaalok na sumubok na mag-audition sa teatro at sa wakas ay nagawa niya.

Numipis daw ang mukha niya mula sa dalawang buwang reharsals nila.

“Pumayat po ako because na na-enjoy ko. Actually, hindi ko sinasadyang pumayat, pero like you know it’s a process. The process was physically… becomes a life, gives you family and love for each other, and for yourself and to your character that you’re building. To be honest nabawasan ang bakasyon at social life ko. We have to focus on our training that’s where… some music rehearsal and we have to do it everyday. Naiba lang talaga ‘yung lifestyle ko as a performer. I learned to be more grounded and to be more open about learning new stuff, ‘yung ganu’ng process,” kuwento niya pa.

“I am one of the anthem. I am part of the freaks. I am part of the side show. My act is so this person can sing. Landlord, the soprano. I mean, like, unlimited range. I am a half and half nightingale. Half male and half female. Siguro I get to be… kasi this is not myself, projecting somebody else also. I’m getting my own cha­racters, and it’s interesting because I can be different, and I can be here at the same time,” imporma niya.

Kung takot ba siyang matawag o mabansagang “freaks” o “abnoy” na kakaiba at hindi normal sa karamihan.

“Mine, freak, is... Because my personality is diffe­rent from half-and-half nightingale. Parang is stronger and more firm. Ako kasi, very introvert ako somehow. I mean, we all have our own. We just have to address it. We just have to make it our strength, and that’s what makes us unique,” paliwanag pa ng singer.

Dahil sobrang special sa kanya ang nasabing play ay hindi raw muna niya isi-share na kantahin sa kanyang vlog kahit may mag-request.

“Kasi, this is really special for me. So, I want to keep it exclusive. Maybe if we do a rerun or something. Dun po nila… actually, pero kasi as long as we’re running, please come and watch and visit the center,” pakiusap niya.

Pangako niya na hindi ito ang una at huli niyang pagsabak sa teatro.

Super ganda ng Side Show: The Musical na palabas hanggang Aug. 17, 2025 na handog ng The Sandbox Collective at dinirek ni Toff ­Devenecia.