The now-iconic and outstanding run of the Philippine Educational Theatre Association’s (PETA) musical phenomenon Rak of Aegis makes a rousing return with a promise of continuing its long, illustrious tradition of bringing unparalleled talent, effortless comedy, and a brave, unapologetic portrait of pure Filipino spirit.
Co-presented by the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), the PhilPop MusicFest Foundation (PhilPop), and PLDT Home Fibr, the powerhouse cast makes its much-anticipated comeback for its seventh season, opening doors to new cast members composed mainly of OPM legends.
A well-loved opus of Liza Magtoto, Rak of Aegis has captured Filipino sensibilities by exploring its love for comedy and music, featuring a repertoire of songs lifted from the popular 90’s band, Aegis. The acclaimed play then enlisted the help of musical director Myke Solomon to arrange the songs for the theater production.
Rak of Aegis follows the journey of a young dreamer named Aileen, backdropped by the colorful characters in the flooded slums of Villa Venezia, who eventually rose to fame brought by a simple online video upload, showcasing her vocal chops.
Since the show opened in 2014, Rak of Aegishas taken Manila by storm. The original Pinoy musical brought one of OPM’s most iconic bands, Aegis, to the spotlight by featuring its powerful hits like ”Halik,” “Sinta,” “Basang-basa sa Ulan,”and more.
Rak of Aegis was among the pioneering productions that introduced and brought an immersive, experiential jukebox musicals that melded the worlds of theater and Pinoy music. Seven seasons and over 300 showings since its inception, Rak of Aegis remains a much-raved about contemporary production that continue to pique interest of an all-encompassing audience.
This all new season for the beloved Filipino musical boasts a new roster of popular and award-winning OPM artists as part of its cast from July to September 2019 at the PETA Theater Center: household name singer and actor-comedian Randy Santiago as Fernan, multi-award winning singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon as Kiel, and multi-award winning world music performer and actress Bayang Barrios sharing the role of Mary Jane with prominent movie actress and singer Jenine Desiderio.
The host, actor, director, and singer-songwriter Randy Santiago joins the cast of characters from Villa Venezia, best know for his string of platinum and gold recordings like “Beinte Na… Hihirit Pa”, “Babaero”, “‘Di Magbabago” and more. Recently, he has also returned on the television screens taking on roles for the ABS-CBN teleserye La Luna Sangre and a Tawag ng Tanghalan judge in the noon-time show It’s Showtime!.
“When I got the text [offering me the role of Fernan], talaga namang natuwa ako,” Randy says. “Syempre, napanood namin ‘yung previous runs ng Rak of Aegis, eh.”
Meanwhile, Noel Cabangon, who now joins the long-running musical as Kiel, is renowned for his artistry as a musician, and is notably known for his hit “Byahe” album series and the famous protest song “Tatsulok” with his band, Buklod. He has produced numerous award-winning albums and, as a PETA Artist-Teacher, spends his time facilitating workshops and working as musical director for PETA shows such as Ang Tiririt ng Ibong Adarna, Walang Himala, and PETA’s longest-running children’s musical, Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang.
Noel says he is looking forward to returning to the stage, “I haven’t done theater in a long time, so of course, I am very excited.”
Fellow singer-songwriter Bayang Barrios who will play Mary Jane, on the other hand, has leapt into stardom for winning the grand prize in the 2004 Metropop Song Festival with her song “Malayo Man, Malapit Din”. After having been adopted in the group of Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad, Bayang pursued a solo career and since then, has won a number of local awards and an international award from Vietnam.
She notes, “Kilalang-kilala na itong Rak of Aegis,” Bayang says. “Kaya may mixed emotions of excitement and kaba dahil napakagaling din ng mga artists dito.”
Sharing the role of Mary Jane with Bayang is the Filipino movie actress Jenine Desiderio, who has also made her name in the entertainment industry both locally and abroad. The actress played as Kim in Miss Saigon in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (1989-1993) and had more recent appearances in local movies like Shake Rattle & Roll VII, Feng Shui 2, and Mano Po 4: Ako Legal Wife.
Jenine is also very much excited for Rak of Aegis Season 7, “I watched it last year and napakarami kong friends sa cast. So, finally, I am here to actually be on stage and perform with them.”
Randy, Noel, Bayang, and Jenine will be joined by new cast members: Wish 107.5 Wishcovery 2018 1st Runner Up Kimberly Baluzo (Aileen); Leah Patricio from The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 (Mercy); GMA artist and singer Derrick Monasterio (Tolits); Viva Artist and two-time PhilPop grand prize winner Yumi Lacsamana (ensemble); and up and coming theater artists Ashe Uy, Marynor Madamesila, Lemuel Silvestre, and Gerard Dy as members of the ensemble.
Another exciting attraction is the comeback of the original and returning cast: Aicelle Santos, Kim Molina, and Shaira Opsimar (Aileen); 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 Cuz, 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.
Rak of Aegis Season 7 hopes to “showcase the glorious repertoire of OPM music, showcasing the formidable talents of our theater actors, musicians, and songwriters, while giving the audience a fantastic time,” says Rak of Aegis director Maribel Legarda.
Rak of Aegis runs from July 5 to September 29, 2019 at the PETA Theater Center, with shows from Thursdays to Sundays. For ticket and showbuying inquiries, contact TicketWorld at 891-9999 www.ticketworld.com.ph or PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at 725-6244 and 0917-539-1112. www.petatheater.com/rakofaegis
Art by Jericho Clemente