PETA's Rak of Aegis finally streams online

When local theater companies started offering some of their productions online due to the pandemic shutting down productions worldwide, there was one production that was requested the most by theater aficionados in the country.

And due to this unrelenting demand, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) finally brings their hit musical Rak of Aegis online for a limited two weekend run on July 31-August 1, 2021 and August 7-8, 2021 via the Ticket2Me platform.

Pepe Herrera and Aicelle Santos

The online version, a recording of a live performance from the musical’s latest run, features several original cast members led by Aicelle Santos as the dreamer Aileen. Joining her are Philippine theater’s premiere couple, Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez who originated the role of Kiel and Mary Jane respectively. Two of the show’s breakout stars from the original run, Poppert Bernadas (Kenny) and Pepe Herrera (Tolits), will also be seen in the online stream.

Other cast members include Joann Co (Mercy), Jimi Marquez (Jewel), Gie Onida (Fernan) and ensemble members John Moran, Matel Patayon, Marynor Madamesila, Lemuel Silvestre, Teetin Villanueva, and Rafael Sudayan.

Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña

Ticket prices start at P350 for pay-per-view live streaming access from 8:00-11:00 PM. A P500 ticket gives viewers a 24 hour, on demand access from 10:00 AM to 10:00 AM of the next day. Lastly, a P1,000 ticket includes not just a 24 hour, on demand access, but also an exclusive pass to the Rak with Aegis concert on August 8, 2021, 8:00 PM featuring the Aegis Band themselves and select cast members including Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles. All times are in Philippine Standard Time.

Adding more excitement to the mix, the online stream will be available to viewers worldwide. And there will be a English subtitles so that non-Filipino speakers can see for themselves why Rak of Aegis has taken the Philippine theater scene by storm (no pun intended).

The Philippine Educational Theater Association’s Rak of Aegis is written by Liza Magtoto and directed by Maribel Legarda, with musical direction and arrangement by Myke Salomon, choreography by Gio Gahol, set design by Mio Infante, lights design by Jonjon Villareal, costume design by Carlo Pagunaling, and shoe design by Maco Custodio.

The online streaming of Rak of Aegis is presented in partnership with the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang–Aawit (OPM), and The Philpop Musicfest Foundation (Philpop), and co-presented by PLDT Home Fibr, and Foodpanda. This project banners PETA’s #TakePETABeyondCovid campaign to raise funds for the theater company during these challenging times. It is also part of the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) 2021 celebrations of OPM.

Tickets are now available via www.bit.ly/rakofaegisstreaming

Bells and whistles (and more) in Rak of Aegis' 7th run

The cast of Rak of Aegis

The last time I saw Philippines Educational Theater Association's (PETA) Rak of Aegis was way back during one of its earlier reruns, probably the third. After some years, I finally had the chance to catch it once again at the opening Gala Night presented by PLDT Home.

Time have passed and I thought that I've already forgotten what this musical is all about. In a nutshell, it's about Aileen, an optimistic young woman who dreams of making it viral online to help her parents who have been struggling financially ever since their barangay Venezia got submerged in flood months ago. And the audience gets to join the journey of Aileen and the rest of the residents of Venezia as they try to rise up above the waters while belting out tunes from the discography of the rock band Aegis.

Robert Sena, Aicelle Santos, Isay Alvarez-Seña, and Pepe Herrera

As members of the original cast, led by Aicelle Santos as Aileen, Robert Seña as Kiel, Isay Alvarez-Seña as Mary Jane, and one of Rak's breakout stars Pepe Herrera as Tolits performed on stage, memories from years ago came flooding back as the show went on. I did notice that some of the jokes involving current trending topics had been updated to avoid being stale.

What surprised me very much with this latest viewing were bells and whistles that were either relatively new, or were simply not noticed by me before. Various stage effects like sunflowers and vines appearing onstage, actual rain, and the flood actually subsiding were upgrades that have raised further the production value of PETA's runaway hit. I learned later on that the flood subsiding was through a tube that pumped out the water from the stage. And this water is actually recycled and treated. So it's not like it's water down the drain for every performance which is insensitive in line with the recent water crisis.

The cast and the show were polished and spot on like clockwork but there were still some unexpected moments like an ensemble member slipping in the flood, enabling one to do a quick ad lib in reference to that mishap. Another of these moments was when Jewel's (Ron Alfonso) massive carnival head dress hit Aicelle in the face. This was definitely not in the script but it provided additional laughter. Such is the joy and thrill of live theater since it is very unlikely that this also happened in every performance.

Bayang Barrios, Jenine Desiderio, Kimberly Baluzo, Derrick Monasterio,
and Noel Cabangon

The current run also welcomed new cast members including OPM legends Noel Cabangon, Jenine Desiderio, and Bayang Barrios, along with actor Derrick Monasterio and the newest Aileen, Kimberly Baluzo. They performed excerpts and answered a handful of questions from the press at a pre-performance showcase.

Seeing bits from these new cast members just made me want to catch some of their performances too before this run ends on September 29, 2019 at the PETA Theater Center.

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.

PETA's Rak of Aegis returns for 6th run, welcomes new faces

After taking a breather to give way to the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) 50^th anniversary celebrations, the hit musical Rak of Aegis returns for another run starting on June 20 up to September 2, 2018 at the PETA Theater Center.

Remus Villanueva as Kenny

This newest run, the musical’s 6^th since debuting back in January 2014, welcomes nine new cast members who were chosen through Hu Got Talent: The Search for the Next Rakstar, a combination of open auditions and a talent competition that kicked off late March. From almost a hundred video entries, the Top 50 were chosen and they went through a day of workshop-auditions and the remaining hopefuls were trimmed down to the Top 20.

Kent Pontivedra as Tolits

The nine Rak hopefuls who made the final cut are World Championship of the Performing Arts medalists Shaira Opsimar and Princess Vire bagging the role of Aileen, Tawag ng Tanghalan contender Kent Pontivedra as Tolits, theater artist and teacher Remus Villanueva as Kenny, Ateneo Blue Repertory RENT’s Adrian Lindayag as Jewel.

Rounding up the newest members of the cast as part of the ensemble are 5thGen band leader Marielle Mamaclay, TV actor Gil “Chamyto” Aguedan, Sandbox Collective Himala’s Matel Patayon, and Madison Events performer Crystal Paras.

Tender moments between two pairs of Tolits and Aileen:
Jerald Napoles and Princess Vire and Shaira Opsimar and Pepe Herrera

It is interesting to note that Crystal has seen the Rak of Aegis more than a dozen times, Matel was once an intern selling souvenir programs at the lobby during a previous run while Marielle was supposed to be part of the original cast but had to drop out. On the other hand, it is unbelievable to realize that both Remus and Kent have made it to the cast without ever seeing the musical before.

Another new addition to the cast, who didn’t have to go through the whole Hu Got Talent process is Palanca award-winning writer, veteran theater artist and director Rody Vera playing the role of Fernan.

The three Aileens: Princess Vire, Kim Molina, and Shaira Opsimar

These new faces join the returning cast starting with Kim Molina, Isay Alvarez-Seña, Sweet Plantado-Tiongson, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Robert Seña, OJ Mariano, Renz Verano, Lorenz Martinez, Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, Joshua Bulot, Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, Vince Lim, Neomi Gonzales, Kakai Bautista, Joann Co, Gie Onida, Juliene Mendoza, Ron Alfonso, Phi Palmos, Jimmy Marquez, Roi Calilong, Gimbey dela Cruz, Gio Gahol, Carlon Matobato, John Moran, Gab Pangilinan, Paeng Sudayan, Abi Sulit, Teetin Villanueva and Gold Villar-Lim.

The cast of Rak of Aegis Season 6

The artistic team of Rak of Aegis is composed of director Maribel Legarda, playwright Liza Magtoto, musical director/arranger/vocal director Myke Salomon, choreographer Gio Gahol, set designer Mio Infante, lights designer Jonjon Villareal, costume designer Carlo Villafuerte Pagunaling, shoe designer Maco Custodio, and accessory designer Jo-ann Pamintuan.

Maribel Legarda revealed that after this run’s 77 scheduled performances, PETA will be focusing to bring this production to various parts of the country and possibly abroad. She also mentioned that the set, that has actual water (with floating trash to boot), is prepared for mobility and go on tour. She admitted that there had been offers to bring Rak of Aegis to the silver screen but remained mum as to how close that is to fruition.

Barangay Venizia is ready to Rak

Rak of Aegis will have evening shows at 8:00 PM from Wednesdays up to Sundays and matinee shows at 3:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays starting this June 20 until September 2, 2018.

Hit musical Rak of Aegis returns

June 20-August 31, 2014

PETA Theater Center

No. 5 Meynard Drive, New Manila

Quezon City, Philippines

Earlier this year, Philipine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) musical Rak of Aegis had a stellar run despite going head to head with a big budgeted, wicked musical by a foreign touring company. So it’s no surprise that the very Filipino story featuring love triangles, long shot dreams, and natural calamities told through the music of legendary rock band Aegis returns for a longer run from June 20 up to August 31, 2014 at the PETA PHINMA Theater to start PETA's 47th Theater Season.

The cast of Rak of Aegis

Returning to reprise their roles are Aicelle Santos playing the lead role Aileen, the young woman from Villa Venezia who dreams of becoming a YouTube sensation; real life couple Isay Alvarez-Seña and Robert Seña, playing Mary Jane and Kiel whose romantic past resurfaces amid the flood that has blanketed their subdivision. Returning cast members include Kalila Aguilos, Kakai Bautista, Neomi Gonzales, Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, Nor Domingo, Julienne Mendoza, Ron Alfonso, Phillip Palmos, Gold Villar, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Jet Barrun, Paeng Sudayan, Carlon Matobato, and John Moran. 

Arnel Ignacio, Isay Alvarez-Seña and Aicelle Santos

Rak of Aegis’ rerun welcomes new cast members Kimverlie Molina (a vocal power house whose timbre is very much in keeping with Aegis' vocalists) as Aileen, Oj Mariano as Kiel, Arnel Ignacio as Fernan, and Jimmy Marquez as Jewel, while choreographer Gio Gahol and Abigail Sulit join the ensemble. Rak of Aegis’ creative team is composed of director Maribel Legarda, playwright Liza Magtoto, and musical director Myke Salomon.

I had the opportunity to catch the musical on its initial run. The story is indeed very Filipino, reminiscent of the guilty pleasure comedy films of the 1990’s, complete with musical production numbers. Aicelle proved that her Katy! stint was no beginner’s luck as she delivered yet another solid performance. Robert and Isay, with their decades of theater experience, showed great chemistry playing former lovers. One of the most unexpected surprises in the musical was scene stealer Jerald Napoles who played Tolits, one of Aileen’s suitors. Another actor who also almost stole the show with a gender bending "duet" was Philip Palmos as Jewel.

There were times when I thought that the tension was broken especially when the scene shifted the other characters’ respective storylines. It smacked right to my impatience when I couldn’t wait much longer to see how certain plot lines would be resolved (like with whom Aileen end up with) but had to go through to see how Kenny (Poppert Bernadas) would earn the approval of his mother Mary Jane.

Aegis band members join the cast in a post show interview

Undoubtedly, the real star of the show was the music of Aegis. And it was a treat to be in the performance where the band Aegis was in attendance. It was like watching two shows at once, seeing the actual musical and trying to catch the reaction of the band members especially during the musical numbers. And the band members were very pleased by what they saw since they were usually the first to applaud whenever they recognized which of their songs were being played. Finally, the band made a special encore performance right after the curtain call which only cemented their status as one of the music acts that have made a significant impact in the Philippine music industry. I was very pleased to learn that Aegis CD’s on sale were flying off the shelves after every show which meant that people do want to relive more of the show afterwards. And now, people have more chances to experience (or experience again) Rak of Aegis as the show returns for almost 70 performances for their second run.

For inquiries:

PETA Theater Center 725-6244 local 23, (0916) 437-6551, peta.theatercenter@gmail.com

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Aegis' music goes to theater with PETA's Rak of Aegis

January 31-March 9, 2014

PETA Theater Center

No. 5 Meynard Drive, New Manila

Quezon City, Philippines

Actor-musician Myke Salomon, in his usual wacky self, made a joke that there should be Rak of Aegis also during the time when the musical Rock of Ages was still having its sold out run in here. This joke was a light bulb moment for Maribel Legarda, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Artistic Director. Almost a couple of years later, the joke Rak of Aegis is now a brand new musical featuring the music of the legendary pop-rock band Aegis that is set to sweep the local theater scene starting on January 31, 2014 and will go on for six weekends until March 9, 2014 at the PETA Theater Center.

Isay Alvarez-Seña and Robert Seña

A total of 20 songs from the Aegis catalog, ranging from chart topping hits to unreleased gems will be belted out by the cast led by Isay Alvarez-Seña, Robert Seña, Aicelle Santos, and Joan Bugcat. Also included in the cast are Kalila Aguilos, Ron Alfonso, Jet Barrun, Kakai Bautista, Poppert Bernadas, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Neomi Gonzales, Pepe Herrera, Carlon Matobato, Julienne Mendoza, John Moran, Jerald Napoles, Gie Onida, Phillip Palmos, Myke Salomon, Paeng Sudayan, and Gold Villar.

Rak of Aegis is described as a story of love, fame and resilience set in the Ondoy devastated village of Villa Venizia. At the center of the story is Aileen (Acielle Santos alternating with Joan Bugcat), a young mall promo girl aka promodizer who is seeking fame via uploading videos online to support her family. And love gets in the way not only for Aileen but also for her father and the rest of the residents of Villa Venizia.

Aicelle Santos and Rak of Aegis cast

This musical is the brainchild of director Maribel Legarda and writer Liza Magtoto, the same duo behind Care Divas, PETA’s hit comedy musical. Musical arrangement and musical direction is by Myke Salomon. The rest of the artistic team includes Gio Gahol (choreography), Jonjon Villareal (lighting design), Mio Infante (production design), Carlo Pagunaling (costume design), Maco Custodio (shoe design), and Joan Pamintuan (accessory design).

During the press launch held at the PETA Theater Center, I was able to hear Aicelle Santos belt the songs out in the same key as Aegis, extending beyond the range that she normally performs as an alto with her trio La Diva. It was also teased that comedienne Kakai Bautista will have one solo aria which could possibly one of the most highly anticipated scenes in the whole musical. Aicelle and Kakai along with the rest of the cast auditioned for their roles with the exception of the Señas: Isay and Robert. The real life couple told the press that this is one of the rare times that the two of them would not be playing a couple on stage. Instead, they would be playing former lovers who end up with someone else. This adds another layer to the story in which the tension and unresolved conflicts will be brought to light as their village remains submerged in flood waters.

Kakai Bautista and Rak of Aegis cast

Myke Salomon, during a brief chat, told me that it was not only Aicelle who would be singing the songs in their original key but also Robert Seña. Aegis is known for the lung busting, vocal cord tearing tunes (usually of heartbreak) sung by the band’s vocalists Juliet and Mercy Sunot. And it would be definitely very interesting to hear Robert’s attack with these songs that have ingrained themselves in Philippine pop culture.

All this may have started as a joke, but as opening night draws near, I can’t help but feel the excitement of hearing Aegis music on stage, seeing how PETA will pull of the arena staging with actual water and how the production will fare as it goes head to head with a major touring production.

The cast and crew of Rak of Aegis

Schedule of performances:

January 31, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

February 1, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

February 2, 2014, 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM

February 7, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

February 8, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

February 9, 2014, 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM

February 14, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

February 15, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

February 16, 2014, 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM

February 21, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

February 22, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

February 23, 2014, 10:00 AM & 8:00 PM

February 27, 2014, 8:00 PM

February 28, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

March 1, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

March 2, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

March 6, 2014, 8:00 PM

March 7, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

March 8, 2014, 3:00 & 8:00 PM

March 9, 2014, 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM

For inquiries:

PETA Theater Center 725-6244 local 23, (0916) 437-6551, peta.theatercenter@gmail.com

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