Cover The lead characters of ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo’ (Photo: Newport World Resorts)
The lead characters of ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo’ (Photo: Newport World Resorts)
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Newport World Resorts’ longest-running Filipino musical bade its farewell last July, leaving a phenomenal impact on the Philippine theatre scene
The popular Eraserheads jukebox musical that conquered the Philippine theatre scene in recent history took its final bow last July 23. And like many theatre fans and those who grew up listening to the music of Eraserheads, it was a bittersweet parting for me.
I first watched Full House Theater Company’s Ang Huling El Bimbo (AHEB) when it opened in 2018. Its refreshing take on the songs of the four-man band, dubbed “The Beatles of Original Pilipino Music (OPM)”, kept me at the edge of my seat during its almost three-hour run. The writing of Dingdong Novenario, the musical direction of Myke Salomon, and the choreography of Dexter Santos were the perfect ingredients for a grand theatrical production worthy of Newport World Resorts’ spacious theatre, the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT). The revolving stage, however, at that time was quite overused compared to the 2023 production, in my opinion, as if the creative team was trying to take audiences on a trippy ride. Like most critics, I found the end of its first act disturbing without any intention of ending on a hopeful note. To this day, I am one of the many people who have seen the first iteration that went home distraught and unnerved by it.
Months later, it launched another season of performances, with a subtle tweak on the first act. It was quicker and less painful. The lead characters’ development in the second act is immediately shown before the curtain goes down. It was indeed an improvement that made me give AHEB another chance to love.
When the pandemic hit, AHEB set a record as the only Filipino musical that reached 12 million views when it streamed online for a limited three-day period. This 2023, I thought it foolish to miss its final run.
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All good things must end, even the well-loved musical masterpiece that struck a chord in the hearts of many Filipinos. Thunderous standing ovations, cheers, and tears filled the night as AHEB performed its final show. The curtain came down on Sunday, ending the sweet joyride of the longest-running Filipino musical staged by Newport World Resorts.
“The musical ended on a high note, and part of me sees this as a new beginning for a much bigger world of live theatre. We are all witnesses to how Ang Huling El Bimbo, a musical performed by Filipino artists and proudly made by Filipino creatives, can thrive in this generation and beyond. We end this show full of gratitude to everyone who joined us on this joyride,” Full House Theater Company co-artistic director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo said amid the final show celebration with the cast, crew, and creatives who helped make the musical phenomenal.
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Newport World Resorts President and CEO Kingson Sian thanked audiences for their support. This year’s run cemented its icon status in the landscape of Philippine theatre, emerging as the most-watched musical to date. In all its incarnations, the award-winning NPAT served as the venue where audiences witnessed a grand showcase of Filipino spectacle.
“Thank you so much for coming out today and supporting our original Filipino musical. Tonight is our last show and we have done 175 shows since 2018. Reaching a fourth run, over 240,000 people have watched this show live right here in this theatre. During the pandemic, another 7 million people watched it in their homes around the world, raising 12 million pesos for COVID relief.”
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Appreciation given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) during the exclusive celebration of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino across the property made the farewell performance more meaningful. NPAT received a plaque of appreciation for being a partner of the NCCA in promoting original Filipino music and artists.
With the finale leaving a hole in the hearts of many, one can only wonder what comes next for the grand NPAT stage. During the curtain call, in an unexpected turn of events, the cast sang a snippet of the heart-tugging love song Harana popularised by Parokya ni Edgar, another cherished rock band in the country. The giant screen behind them flashed an animation of a guitar, a slice of pizza, two bottles, and a bird, with the words “Abangan 2024”. All these hinting audiences about the new musical coming up next year. As AHEB bids its farewell after a long run, another chapter opens for live theatre, and the anticipation for a new original Filipino masterpiece begins again.
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AHEB wove the current and former lives of four characters who shared a strong bond in their younger years yet went in separate ways and led lives far from what they dreamed of. The optimism and idealism nurtured during their years in the university and the harsh realities of life that set their world turning were all showcased beautifully through the lyricism of Eraserheads’ music. It was a spectacle of the grim and the beautiful yet kept rooted in the little things that evoke nostalgia.
In its last version, the two timelines were meshed beautifully. It made the older versions of Hector (Gian Magdangal), Emman (OJ Mariano / Bullet Dumas), and Anthony (Nino Alejandro) more connected to their younger selves’ dreams that died, inner demons, and core nature. Meanwhile, the younger versions (Anthony Rosaldo, Paw Castillo, and Topper Fabregas) had a contagious, youthful vibe continuously surged by their passion for life. As the musical progressed, audiences understood the characters’ doubts, fears, frustrations, and grief. And that made AHEB special—it was poignant, realistic, and conscious that life is not all bright and colourful, yet there is joy in every life’s experience.
Joy, the central character who opened the show shockingly portrayed as lying on the road covered in newspapers, reflects the effects of our broken society. Actors Gab Pangilinan and Katrine Sunga, who played Joy’s younger and older versions, respectively, shared expressions, vocal strength and quality, and a lot more in an uncanny way. An audience who blindingly watched AHEB might have easily thought they were the same person. But what made their transition seamless was how their scenes in the second act were effectively written.
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AHEB portrays poverty and crime as ingrained in society across genders and social status. But it proposes that there is something we can do about it in our little ways. By holding on to our relationships, friendships, and families, we might be able to go through life’s hardships hand in hand. But most importantly, it was also a journey to our identities—by tapping our gifts, talents, intelligence, and values, we become more human and humane. The story of the iconic Eraserheads song that inspired this musical and after which it got its title speaks of love that was lost because it was too late. But it doesn’t mean that our past selves were better or that who we are now is the final version of ourselves. People grow. The world changes. However, the inevitable nature of Life and Time to keep turning, like the dance of El Bimbo, should not keep us from valuing what is good.
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Images: Newport World Resorts
About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
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Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
