The odyssey of Julio Madiaga in music

MANILA, Philippines — Who can forget the hapless tale of Julio Madiaga and Ligaya Paraiso in Lino Brocka’s classic film, Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag based on the original story of Edgardo Reyes?

Well, the characters are back in a musical with revealing music by Von de Guzman and livewire choreography by Douglas Nierras who tried with all his choreographic might to give it a Pinoy flavor.

Not everyone was optimistic a good film would necessarily translate into a good musical.

But then, theatergoers were in for a big surprise when the musical opened to a good reception that proved the pessimists wrong.

Yes, a good film can be repackaged into a good musical and the audiences loved it.

It brought theatergoers back to the Manila of the ’70s when (as usual) country bumpkins were exploited by city dwellers in many ways too gory for details.

The ensemble of the musical was a scene stealer and they blended perfectly in any sequence, great singing and great acting and all.

With Bembol Roco, the original actor who portrayed Julio Madiaga

Indeed, the funeral scene which ended the first part had the look and feel of Les Miz, thanks to the music of Von who made sure the songs didn’t sound like rehash from yesterday’s hit tunes.

And the big plus, the voice of Arman Ferrer as Julio Madiaga soared gloriously it had audiences swooning over the exquisite tenor range. He acted very well, too, and blended quite well with the versatile ensemble.

As for the unexpected, Dulce triumphed as Mrs. Cruz (the character is opposite her in real life) while Rafa Siguion-Reyna as Imo lighted up the stage and made it a virtual showcase of his versatility.

As earlier pointed out, the ensemble was dazzling although at one point, the sequence looked quaint and bizarre to see construction workers do a dance sequence associated with Radio City Hall act.

But overall, Maynila is a must-see. It is a pleasant discovery the tale of Julio Madiaga found equally poignant and grand expression in a musical.

Director Joel Lamangan hewed closely to the original story and found a very creative way to bring back to life a classic story which made Lino Brocka a byword in Philippine cinema.

The lighting of Joey Nombres was brilliant and the production design of Jun Flavier Pablo was quite evocative of the ’70s.

One imagined the musical would have been extra more sensational with a live orchestra.

(But then, budget is a lonely word in Philippine theater.).

At three hours and a half running time, the musical can use some trimming down.

As it is, the musical already made history by turning a great film into a great musical.