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Eat Bulaga, Miss Saigon alums to star in new run of 'Rak of Aegis'
Two new Aileens will "Rak" the stage as PETA's hit original Filipino musical returns for the fifth — and perhaps final — time.
"Rak of Aegis" follows the story of Aileen, who dreams of being discovered by Ellen Degeneres by becoming the next YouTube Sensation. With the aid of two young men — Kenny and Tolits — who are in love with her, she embarks on a quest for fame and a way out of the perpetually flooded Barangay Venizia.
That is, of course, until she realizes that her YouTube fame is caused by the flood backdrop in her videos attracting viewers.
In a way, the story of newcomer Alisah Bonaobra mirrors the character's — a girl who wants to use her voice to make her dreams of having a better life come true. Bonaobra is a step ahead though, because she already went viral in 2014, when a video of her singing "Let It Go" in a karaoke machine in Robinson's Place Manila was uploaded on YouTube. No flood required.
"Dati nagtitinda lang ako ng ticket," newcomer Alisah Bonaobra told the press on Wednesday. "Ngayon ako na ang nasa ticket."
Although a rookie in theater, Bonaobra has been singing since she was 3 years old and has joined several singing contests. She once joined Eat Bulaga!'s "Gymeoke" and recently sang with Maricris Garcia for the noontime show's "Just Duet" segment.
Bonaobra, according to director Maribel Legarda, is primarily a singer and this is her first venture into theater. She told the press that it was "Ate Aicelle" who told her audition for the role of Aileen, the lead role.
"Aileen agad?!" she had exclaimed, but her vocal prowess couldn't be denied.
On the opposite side of the same coin is the other new Aileen, Tanya Manalang.
For her, "Rak of Aegis" is a homecoming after her two-year stint as Kim in Cameron Mackintosh's West End production of Miss Saigon.
Manalang says she needs to be a little less "uptight" to further fit into the spirit of "Rak", which exudes fun despite it's socio-political undertones.
Veteran actor Jon Santos, who is no stranger to performing, overflowed with praises for "Rak of Aegis" for keeping that balance.
Santos joins the cast as Fernan, the man indirectly responsible for the flooding in the play's setting, Barangay Venizia. It's not secret that Santos has been everywhere, but he was not remiss in expressing his gratitude for "making the cut" and being part of the cast.
"Buti umabot ng fifth run at nakasama ako," he said and marveled at how many shows have been staged and, of course, joking about it. "Two hundred six? That's more than two hundred, if you think about it."
Carla Laforteza shares Santos' gratitude, relating her desperation to be a part of the show, too. Even while auditioning for a different show entirely (PETA's "3 Stars and a Sun"), Laforteza said that she sang the song with "rak" in mind.
"Aegis pa rin ang atake ko, para marinig ni Myke (Solomon, musical director)," she told the press.
Even veteran theater actress Shiela Valderrama felt overjoyed to be part of "Rak" as Mary Jane, confessing love for the all-Filipino production that hits all the right notes for a Filipino audience. Vince Lim, also joining the cast as Kenny, shares the sentiment strongly.
"Rak of Aegis" was first staged in 2014, winning performance and technical awards in Gawad Buhay.
But beyond the "Outstanding Original Musical" trophy, director Maribel Legarda and writer Liza Magtoto said that it's the support from the people that makes "Rak" a success for them.
"Rak of Aegis" will run from June 17 to August 28, Tuesdays to Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the PETA Theater Center.
For tickets, log on to ticketworld.com.ph or contact 891-9999 (Ticket World) or 725-6244 (PETA). You may also send inquiries to petatheater@gmail.com
