OPM stars join 7th run of Rak of Aegis

In a move that surprised nobody, Philippine Educational Theater Association's (PETA) megahit musical Rak of Aegis returns for a 7th run this July 5 - September 29, 2019 at the PETA Theater Center.

For this run, Rak welcomes a handful of the country's legendary recording artists to its ever growing cast as PETA partners the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM), the PhilPop MusicFest Foundation (PhilPop), and PLDT Home Fibr.

Randy Santiago

Noel Cabangon

The OPM artists joining the cast are singer/songwriter/actor Randy Santiago, multiple Awit Award winner Noel Cabangon, Miss Saigon  alum Jenine Desiderio, and world music recording artist Bayang Barrios.

Jenine Desiderio

Other new additions to the cast are actor/singer Derrick Monasterio, singing competition winners Kimberly Baluzo (Wish 107.5 Wishcovery 2018 1st Runner Up) and Leah Patricio (The Voice of the Philippines Season 2), and two-time PhilPop grand prize winner Yumi Lacsamana. Rounding up the new additions are Ashe Uy, Marynor Madamesila, Gerard Dy, and Lemuel Silvestre.

Kimberly Baluzo

Leah Patricio

The upcoming run also sees the return of Aicelle Santos to the Rak stage after a year long stint as Gigi in the UK/European tour of Miss Saigon.

Kimberly Baluzo, Aicelle Santos, Kim Molina, and Shaira Opsimar

Also returning are the other Aileens namely Kim Molina and Shaira Opsimar. Other cast members back for this run are Isay Alvarez-Seña and Sweet Plantado-Tiongson (Mary Jane); Robert Seña and Renz Verano (Kiel); Kakai Bautista and Neomi Gonzales (Mercy); Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, and Vince Lim (Kenny); Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, and Joshua Bulot (Tolits); Ron Alfonso and Jimmy Marquez (Jewel); Gie Onida and Rody Vera (Fernan); and Gimbey Dela Cruz, Gab Pangilinan, Matel Patayon, Abi Sulit, Teetin Villanueva, Gold Villar-Lim, Paeng Sudayan, Roi Calilong, Gio Gahol, Carlon Matobato, and John Moran as members of the ensemble.

Bayang Barrios and Renz Verano

The partnership with OPM will see rising artists busking at the lobby initially scheduled to coincide with the celebrations of the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino.

Kim Molina and Derrick Monasterio

Shaira Opsimar and Pepe Herrera

Rak of Aegis and PhilPop are hardly strangers since back in July 2014, at the finals night of the 3rd PhilPop competition the cast of Rak of Aegis (then currently in its 2nd run) performed in a production number before the winners were announced. Fast forward five years later, the relationship has grown stronger. Rak's music director/arranger Myke Salomon join the PhilPop Songwriting Bootcamp sharing his expertise in composing musical theater.

Rak of Aegis Season 7 begins on July 5 running up to September 29, with shows from Thursday to Sunday at the PETA Theater Center.