PETA’s ‘Rak of Aegis’ brings to life songs of OPM legends

For most Filipinos who have done karaoke or listened regularly to local radio stations, the golden breastplate worn by Greek gods is not the first thing that will come to mind upon mention of the word Aegis. Rather, it will most likely prompt singing of the songs of the Filipino OPM legends who brought us hits like “Halik,” “Sinta,” and "Basang Basa sa Ulan.”

Ending the 46th Theater Season of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), “Rak of Aegis” is a contemporary Pinoy rock-inspired musical that features the lung-powered songs of the celebrated pop/rock band.

This will be a collaboration of award-winning playwright Liza Magtoto and PETA Artistic Director Maribel Legarda. The two also worked together most recently on hit musical comedy “Care Divas.”

Inspired by the events of Tropical Storm Ondoy, the musical paints a picture of Pinoy resilience. It tells the story of Villa Venizia, a Filipino subdivision that suffered floods brought about by the typhoon. Coping with the disaster, the neighborhood gets back on its feet by engaging in flood-related enterprises such as selling flood gear and gondoliering (rowing a boat as transportation) for a living.

“Rak of Aegis” revolves around what Magtoto describes as "losing, and perhaps finding love in the time of calamity.” It also tells the story of Aileen, a young promidizer who looks for love and wishes to get famous through her singing-on-floodwater posts on YouTube.
    
The cast, led by Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez-Seña, includes Aicelle Santos, Joan Bugcat, Kakai Bautista, Neomi Gonzales, Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, Joshua Deocareza, Poppert Bernadas, Gie Onida, Julienne Mendoza, Ron Alfonso, Phillip Palmos, Gold Villar, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Jet Barrun, Paeng Sudayan, Carlon Matobato, and John Moran.

Viewers will also be in for a visual treat: set designer Mio Infante has created an ambitious semi-arena stage with an actual knee-deep floodwater design.

The artistic team includes Myke Salomon (musical direction and arrangement), Gio Gahol (choreography), Carlo Pagunaling (costume design), and Jon Jon Villareal (lighting design).

GMA News Online spoke to writer Liza Magtoto to learn more about the musical’s creation, the writing process, and the future of rock musicals in Philippine theater.

Q: How was the idea of an Aegis musical conceived? And why Aegis?

A: The project came to me as a final decision already by PETA. But as Maribel told me, it started as a joke. Atlantis was showing “Rock of Ages,” and Myke Salomon said, “tapos tayo, rock of Aegis.” A lot of those around at that time thought it was a good idea. There are a number of Aegis fans in PETA as well who rallied behind the idea.  

Their (Aegis’) gut-wrenching songs are karaoke favorites, but apart from their popularity, they somehow embody the Pinoy’s soul, their longing as well as need to belt out their angsts, frustration, disappointment, heartbreak, etc. It’s cathartic to sing their songs—almost the equivalent of drinking your sorrows away.  

Q: What was the biggest challenge you've faced in developing this play?

A: I can’t pinpoint one particular challenge as the biggest. There were several! The first was that the songs of Aegis (the most popular ones) are mostly what I call “sawi songs” (awit ng mga sawi). But fortunately, we were allowed to tweak some of the lyrics. Also, it was fun to modify the original context of the songs. Meaning, sometimes the song is about someone leaving, but the song is sung not in an end-of-romance situation, but something more mundane.   

Assigning songs to each major character, spacing them, putting humor in a not-so-humorous situation (especially when I myself just came from a not-so-humorous condition) were some of the challenges too.  

Personally, I always have difficulty with endings. This, I think, is my biggest challenge. How to tie loose ends, how to seamlessly integrate and conclude the community and individual stories.

Q: “Sa Wakas” (a musical based on songs by Sugarfree) was a hit last year, and a lot of people are already looking forward to "Rak of Aegis." Do you think that there will be more musicals like these in Philippine theater?

A: Yes, I think so, as long as the bands/artists are willing to do so. I once made a script based on Parokya ni Edgar songs which was almost included in the Virgin Lab Fest, but we were worried about the cost (royalty fee). I personally would like to see a musical based on Eraserheads’ songs or Yoyoy Villame’s novelty songs. — VC, GMA News

"Rak of Aegis" runs from January 31 to March 9, 2014 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the PETA Theater Center on No.5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. For show buying and block buying information, contact PETA at 725-6244, +63 917 576 5400 or email petatheater@gmail.com