Happy energy bounced off between volunteer performers and the limited audience in the first and biggest gathering of Filipino theater artists in the “new normal” at a free concert in Quezon City.

The community show “Teatro Robredo-Pangilinan: Buhay Ang Entablado Para Kay Leni-Kiko!” on April 3 was organized by the Theatre for Leni-Kiko group led by founder Bea Racoma and attended by 300 people (online registration was required to avoid crowding). The gig, which united the top theater houses in the Philippines, was staged to express the community’s support to presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and her runningmate Sen. Francis Pangilinan. Meanwhile, theater artists who have expressed support for presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. were the husband-and-wife team of Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña, and singer Wency Cornejo.

“We were so excited!” organizer and artist Jay Barrameda said. “We started planning for this just three weeks ago and everybody was professional, gracious and generous with their time.”

As one of the performers who have been limited to online gigs for the past two years because of COVID-19, Barrameda said the nerves in performing on a real stage before a live audience was back: “Sobrang nakakakaba (it was very frightening), but we are doing this because of a goal and we appreciate that people showed up.”

Charm Aranton and Harly Daria hosted the three-hour show that started around sunset. Silly People’s Improv Theater aka SPIT opened the gig with funny skits.

Celebrating Filipino musicals

The “Teatro” lineup was a celebration of Filipino musicals with songs composed by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, OPM groups Apo Hiking Socity, Sugarfree and Eraserheads, songwriters Vince de Jesus and Nica del Rosario. Accompanist was musical director Farley Asuncion.

Del Rosario played the guitar for Justine Peña who sang “Mariposa” and Vic Robinson who performed “Bawat Daan” from the musical “Sa Wakas.”

Veteran actress Carla Laforteza delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Magbalik Ka na Mahal,” a love song from the “Rama Hari” ballet musical based on the classic Indian epic “Ramayana.”

Josh Ramirez did “Paraiso,” a ’90s song by the group Smokey Mountain, while Arman Ferrer sang the powerful ballad “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako” from the musical “Katy!”

An ensemble performance from the cast of the martial law musical “Dekada ’70” wowed the crowd, followed by songs from “Mula sa Buwan,” sang by MC Dela Cruz, Phi Palmos and Ronah Rostata. (Created and directed by Pat Valera, “Mula sa Buwan” will also be back on stage later this year!)

De Jesus’ songs for “Himala” were performed next. Floyd Teña sang “Uyayi ng Ina,” while Barrameda and Matel Patayon did a duet of “Walang Iba.”

Chesko Rodriguez did a number from the beloved “ZsaZsa Zaturnnah” musical.

Interactive fun

To assure that the audience and staff were safe, water, masks and medical attention were provided in the venue.

The cast of “Ang Huling El Bimbo” led by Reb Atadero and Tanya Manalang brought an interactive vibe to the gig. Retro pop hits from “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” with Jep Go, Peachy Guevara, Jourdan Bartolome, Alfritz Blanche, Vyen Villanueva and Raul Montesa had some of the audience dancing.

The wacky “Ma-Lenis Boys” composed of Jon Abella, Anton Posadas, Jim Ferrer, Diego Aranda did a catchy boy-band number—in sequined vests.

Teetin Villanueva sang a powerful version of “Unang Hakbang” composed by Jam Binay, Cholo Ledesma and Sage Ilagan.

Next were original pieces by theater couple Nelsito Gomez and Sarah Facuri. Gomez read the poem “I Wish” while Facuri sang “Hiling.”

The fun pop track “LeniKo” performed by Go and Atadero was debuted that evening. It was composed by Jay Adlao Block, Gino Cruz and Go.

Racoma said the show was staged through the “community efforts” of not just the performers by also the artistic and production team who all volunteered their time that Sunday.

Gab Pangilinan performed “Rosas” with Del Rosario and stayed until after the show to have selfies taken with the audience.

Everyone got back on stage for the finale number “Di Niyo Ba Naririnig?” a translation of the Broadway hit “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from “Les Miserables.” “Teatro Robredo-Pangilinan Buhay Ang Entablado Para Kay Leni-Kiko!” was the musical party that the theater-loving audience and performers both needed, signaling that with protocols in place, Filipino theater is back.