Cover ‘One More Chance’ characters Popoy and Basha dream about their future together (Photo: PETA)
‘One More Chance’ characters Popoy and Basha dream about their future together (Photo: PETA)
1 / 1
‘One More Chance’ graced Philippine cinemas years ago and is back as a stage musical until June 30, but will return on August 23 to October 27, exactly three months from now. Here, we once again raise the issues of power dynamics and gender expectations in relationships—and how the well-loved Popoy and Basha overcame them
Love teams have reigned supreme in the Philippine film industry since time out of mind. Among them, one pair stood out the most in the early 2000s: John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. Their collaborations are cherished as cult classics, with box office hit One More Chance leading the roster as a cultural phenomenon. It follows the story of college sweethearts Popoy and Basha on the verge of a breakup after five years of being together while their eyes have already been set on marriage. The film showcased enduring notions of Filipino romance and raised dialogues on issues like gender dynamics and personal boundaries in romantic relationships—topics that remain relevant in today’s society.
Perhaps it’s one of the reasons why, after the announcement on the Walang Aray’s closing night, the Philippine Educational Theatre Association’s (PETA) new musical based on the said classic film immediately made hype. We’ll be able to see Popoy and Basha again (this time on an over two-hour performance live onstage and portrayed by a new breed of musical theatre actors) and relive iconic scenes and lines that touched our hearts, like the famous “Sana ako na lang, ako na lang ulit [I wish it was me, I wish it was me again]!” or “She had me at my worst. You had me at my best. At binalewala mo lang lahat ‘yon [and you threw it all away]”. The emotional rollercoaster, paired with the music of indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben, will reopen the wounds brought by our respective past relationships.
More from Tatler: Everything to know about ‘Bar Boys: A New Musical’ premiering this 2024
Above Introducing Popoy, a hardworking and driven engineer (Photo: PETA)
Above Basha coming to terms with her need for self-discovery and independence (Photo: PETA)
Introducing Popoy, a hardworking and driven engineer (Photo: PETA)
1 / 2
“When we thought about putting together One More Chance and Ben&Ben, it was like, ‘Yeah, it makes sense.’ You have two icons of two different timeframes, and putting them together is such an interesting creative exercise,” shared PETA artistic director Maribel Legarda, who also directed the musical. The nostalgic film and the band’s ability to resonate with their audiences created a harmonious synergy, illustrating how art forms from different generations can mesh well together if given the opportunity.
We all know that transforming an existing work into a new form requires delicacy. One must find that perfect intersection where the new one not only asserts its own identity but also enriches the original. “The music, the story—they’re adapted for new times, for new generations, because people think differently in 2007 and 2024,” said Legarda. “And it’s so beautiful that the music, film, and theatre are growing with it.”
Apart from Ben&Ben’s music, it was a delight to witness the friends and families of both Popoy and Basha embrace several elements of today’s pop culture. From the subtle nods towards Korean culture and the playful incorporation of group calls and recorded videos to the use of terms like “red flags” and “clean girl aesthetics”, the production successfully added more layers of relatability to the narrative.
Above The Thursday barkada consoling Popoy after his breakup with Basha (Photo: PETA)
The Thursday barkada consoling Popoy after his breakup with Basha (Photo: PETA)
1 / 1
The Thursday barkada [friends], in particular, played a significant role in the musical’s dynamics. The comfort and comedic relief Chinno (Johnnie Moran), Kenneth (Poppert Bernadas), Krizzy (Rica Laguardia), Anj (Via Antonio), and JP (Jon Abella) brought to their scenes during the preview night was the perfect balance to the heavy drama that is Popoy and Basha’s relationship. It’s difficult when a couple breaks up, but nothing tops the problems it can cause in a mutual friend group. Still, the friends continue to guide the couple, bringing or separating them together when necessary, knowing their needs and desires before the couple themselves do.
But their roles do not stop there—they were also afforded the time to navigate their individual struggles, fostering their journey towards profound self-discovery and fulfilment. We got to see how the relationship between Kenneth and Krizzy started and JP’s role (and feelings). We learned more about Anj and her past dreams of wanting to walk down the aisle. We saw how Chinno’s relationship and proposal went, not just the aftermath. We saw them as more than just the main leads’ friends; they are their characters with their feelings and challenges to overcome. This decision to expand on the characters, not just Popy and Basha, highlighted the importance of protecting one’s identity and mental health, a welcome change from the original.
In case you missed it: PETA Theatre’s ‘One More Chance: The Musical’ sold out 50 shows before rehearsals have even begun
Above Popoy and Basha together with Edith and Willie (Photo: PETA)
Popoy and Basha together with Edith and Willie (Photo: PETA)
1 / 1
Above The Thursday barkada comforting a heartbroken Chinno in the hospital (Photo: PETA)
The Thursday barkada comforting a heartbroken Chinno in the hospital (Photo: PETA)
1 / 1
Sam Concepcion and Anna Luna’s portrayal on the preview night was also a sight to see. We grew up with Cruz and Alonzo’s iconic performances of the characters, so seeing new faces in the roles was refreshing.
Concepcion effortlessly embodied Popoy, portraying his strict and controlling nature with such precision that it was almost palpable. These underlying issues of his, akin to a “fiesta” of red flags (as mentioned by Anj), were laid bare for the audience to see—much more apparent in the play than on the screen. Conversely, it was easy to root for Luna’s Basha, who needed the time and space to rediscover herself, finally speaking up and standing her ground. The haircut scene fleshed out in the play was also a nice touch, given the current generation’s fondness for the post-breakup ritual.
Above Basha joining Popoy and Tricia for a ride after a car mishap during a rainy evening (Photo: PETA)
Basha joining Popoy and Tricia for a ride after a car mishap during a rainy evening (Photo: PETA)
1 / 1
Witnessing the couple’s breakup, growth, and eventual reunion was a cathartic experience, made more profound by Ben&Ben’s music that seamlessly weaved each scene. Who knew Leaves could work so well with Popoy and Chinno’s vulnerable moment in the hospital or Tricia’s rendition of Kathang Isip after breaking things off with Popoy once and for all? But perhaps it was also due to musical director and sound designer Myke Salomon’s creative genius.
“When Michelle [Ngu-Nario] was done with the script, we had a discussion and argument… That’s when we developed how we will work on the verses and the context so that the songs will fit the different characters,” he stated. “How will this song become a barkada [friends] song? How will this become a barangay [community] song? That’s the fun thing about musicals, you can go beyond the wall and go crazy.”
Above Popoy and Basha making up and reuniting in the end (Photo: PETA)
Popoy and Basha making up and reuniting in the end (Photo: PETA)
1 / 1
Indeed, One More Chance: The Musical stands as a heartfelt tribute to its predecessor, offering a refreshing interpretation while respecting the essence of the original. It also went above and beyond expectations, with Ben&Ben breathing life into Tricia’s song from the film—a performance first heard onstage for this musical.
According to Legarda, adaptations like this serve as a testament to the enduring power of Philippine art and culture. “We’re going back to our own text, our own music, and try to re-envision it and reimagine it—enriching that experience along the way so it doesn’t disappear,” she said. “It just keeps on growing.”
PETA’s ‘One More Chance: The Musical’ runs from April 12 to June 30 at the PETA Theatre Centre. After three months—a play on the #ThreeMonthRule—it will return to the stage from August 23 to October 27.
NOW READ
Ballet Philippines’ ‘Limang Daan’ views and reviews Philippine history through the female lens
‘Miss Saigon’ in Manila—a passionate spectacle that illuminates the grim aftermath of Vietnam war
Lola Amour on its latest album and building an engaging community
Topics
Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
