Cover Vic Robinson as Emilio Jacinto in Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’, written by Juan Ekis, directed by Jenny Jamora, with original music composed by Ejay Yatco (Photo: Creative Sense)
Vic Robinson as Emilio Jacinto in Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’, written by Juan Ekis, directed by Jenny Jamora, with original music composed by Ejay Yatco (Photo: Creative Sense)
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Catch the ProShot version of Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Pingkian’ this May 26, 6.30pm on the theatre company’s Facebook page. ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ brings to centre stage the riveting tale of the ‘Brains of the Revolution’ with poignant reminders of what matters most in life, and setting the famed hero’s sublime writings into contemporary music
Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) culminated its 37th theatre season with a rousing new musical based on Emilio Jacinto, the young, valiant hero deemed the ‘Brains of the Revolution’. Juan Ekis, the playwright behind TP’s new production, Pingkian: Isang Musikal, started the show with a video projection of a disclaimer note telling the audience that the fictitious theatrical work was inspired by Jacinto’s dreams, delirium, and memories.
In Pingkian: Isang Musikal, which runs until March 24, Ekis and director Jenny Jamora brought Jacinto’s life onto the intimate black-box theatre setup of Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez through intensive research guided by National Artist Virgilio Almario, and many of Jacinto’s prominent writings, which Ejay Yatco set into music.
Above Vic Robinson with Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company for ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Tanghalang Pilipino)
Vic Robinson with Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company for ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Tanghalang Pilipino)
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Emilio Jacinto y Dizon was born on December 15, 1875 in Troso, Tondo, Manila. He was 17 when he joined the Katipunan, a revolutionary army founded by Andres Bonifacio, which was instrumental to the Philippines’ fight for independence from the Spanish colonial empire. Jacinto served as the Katipunan’s chief justice. When Bonifacio proclaimed himself the supreme president of the Sovereign Tagalog Nation, Jacinto—one of his closest friends and most trusted advisors—was elected Secretary of State. He used ‘Pingkian’ as his alias, a flint that sparks when rubbed against each other to create friction. In his prolific writings, he ignited the hearts of many people to rise against tyranny and clamour for liberty.
According to his biography, which TP prepared to be accessible online, the hero empathised with the poor and oppressed from a young age. He stood up for an old man who was being pushed around by the guardia civil. When he returned home, his mother wept for him and hoped that he would not become a revolutionary, out of fear for his safety.
Jacinto died at age 23 on April 16, 1899, after suffering from intense fever and chills due to malaria. With that, he didn’t witness the war against the American forces.
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Above Vic Robinson as Emilio Jacinto in ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Yan Caringal)
Above Gab Pangilinan, portraying Catalina de Jesus in this particular scene of ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Yan Caringal)
Vic Robinson as Emilio Jacinto in ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Yan Caringal)
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Hymn of revolution and introspect
Charged with lyricism, Pingkian reflected Jacinto’s poetry in his prose. The intimate audience configuration helped achieve this ethos, making Jacinto’s mortality seen, felt, and foreshadowed while his humanity shone in every cathartic song. Although the uncomplicated choreography and stage directions helped the audience to focus on the narrative, it struggled to bring the people to a groovy ride like the historical Broadway musical Hamilton, to which many have compared it. Nevertheless, the proudly original Filipino production succeeded in connecting with the minds, hearts, and souls of its audience by showing Jacinto’s triumphs and challenges, which still resonate today.
What Pingkian strived to accomplish—and did an impeccable job of doing—was to spark today’s generation to dream of peace and prosperity that does not rest on merely achieving the spirit of the revolution in songs and dance but truly singing and dancing to the nation’s heartbeat.
Read also: Actor-director Marco Viaña on Philippine theatre’s transformational power
Above Gab Pangilinan in ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Louella Ladaran)
Gab Pangilinan in ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Louella Ladaran)
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The ensemble, a powerful entity
Besides inviting non-TP members to be part of the artistic team, the country’s premier theatre company was also graced by Vic Robinson in the titular role and Gab Pangilinan, who portrayed Florencio Reyes in Act One and Catalina de Jesus in Act Two. Braving the gender-bending tradition in theatre, Kakki Teodoro was also given the role of Dr Jose Rizal. Other esteemed actors who completed the lineup were Bituin Escalante as Josefa Dizon, the mother of Jacinto, Almond Bolante as Pio Valenzuela, Joshua Cadeliña as Isyo, and Gawad Buhay award-winning actor Paw Castillo as Andres Bonifacio.
Above A scene from ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Creative Sense)
A scene from ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Photo: Creative Sense)
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Joining them were TP Actors Company members such as Marco Viaña and Jonathan Tadioan, Lhorvie Nuevo, and many more. To make the musical’s sound attain perfection, singer-actors Paula Paguio, Roxy Aldiosa, Roby Malubay, and more were added to the mix. Cadeliña who played the fictional character of Isyo added contemporary flavour to the musical with his prowess in rap and charming appeal in portraying a teenage boy getting floored by Jacinto’s talent and impact.
The ensemble powerfully added variety and completed the atmosphere of the musical’s entirety. Swift to jump from one scene to another, the actors achieved in helming the narrative despite its anachronistic storytelling. Besides serving as the musical’s chorus, the ensemble switched from katipuneros to ordinary citizens of a nation in its infancy. With the amount of masterful control in voice, emotions, and choreography, the ensemble proved to be a powerful entity on which the audience depended heavily for the production’s energy.
Above Vic Robinson as Emilio Jacinto in ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’
Vic Robinson as Emilio Jacinto in ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’
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Despite showcasing only a chapter in Jacinto’s life, Pingkian succeeded in exposing the different personalities of the hero by conjuring his memories and devising dream interactions with other characters who played significant roles in Philippine history.
Ranging from fear of impending danger to hoping for a better future, Pingkian skewed its narrative in a powerful storytelling arc that raises important questions on Filipino patriotism, sociopolitics and moral compass. Another theme that the musical opened for conversations was the encounter of Jacinto and an insulares doctor, who calls the Philippines his home and supports the people’s revolution against Spain. The musical courageously sheds light on the complexities of a budding nation and how it navigates the personal interests of those in power. As one layer covers another, we see in the end a glimpse of a country with a promising future but in the hands of its citizens driven by envy, greed, and individualism. And yet we hear “Hangga’t may’ron pang hininga, hindi pa tapos and laban [As long as we’re breathing, the fight is not yet over]” as the musical concluded.
Tanghalang Pilipino’s Pingkian: Isang Musikal will stream a ProShot of one of its shows on May 26, 6.30pm, on Tanghalang Pilipino’s Facebook page for free and for one-time only
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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.
