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Kapuso actor Rocco Nacino, who played the role of Torran in 2017 movie Bar Boys, sang praises for Jerom Canlas, who is currently portraying Rocco's movie character in the musical Bar Boys: A New Musical.

During the musical's press preview on Thursday, May 2, Rocco could not hide his excitement as he watched his old character come to life live on stage.

"Oh good, very, very impressed. Sabi ko kanina pagdating, pakisabi sa gumaganap kay Torran, nakabantay ako," joked Rocco as he talked to GMANetwork.com after the show.

"I was very impressed with everybody. Anyone wants a boost sa buhay, ng motivation, lalo na 'yung dumadaan sa college ngayon, kailangan nilang panoorin ito.

"Ito ang pagbibigay sa kanila ng pagliyab ulit sa puso nila na lumaban pa kasi I've been, I've been through college, mahirap din naman talaga. Dumaan din ako sa board exam, sa Nursing, totoo 'yung pinakita nilang hirap talaga.

"That will power to move forward and push on pa is very, very hard to embody."

Now that he saw his character portrayed by a different actor, Rocco admitted that it was weird to see the new twists in the life of Torran.

"Weird but very joyful to see the characters come to life, not sa screen but now in real life sa harap mo. Now, with music pa," he said to GMANetwork.com.

"Nakakatuwa na lahat original, all the songs were original. To see them breathe life into the characters but in a different way na pinapakita na inaabot pa rin ang pangarap in their own different ways, nakakatuwa at nakakabigla rin, at the same time."

Bar Boys: A New Musical follows the life of four friends and their journey to become defenders of justice in the Philippines.

Book and lyrics are by Pat Valera, who will direct alongside Mikko Angeles. Meanwhile, all songs are composed by Myke Salomon, who will be debuting his original music. Salomon will also serve as the musical director.

Leading the cast as the titular bar boys are Alex Diaz as Chris, Benedix Ramos as Erik, Jerom Canlas as Torran, and Omar Uddin as Josh.

Joining them are Sheila Francisco as Justice Hernandez, Juliene Mendoza as “Paping,” Nor Domingo as Atty. Maurice Carlson, Topper Fabregas as Atty. Victor Cruz, Gimbey dela Cruz as “Boss Mama” and other roles, Kakki Teodoro as Female Professor and other roles, and Carlon Matabato as Male Professor and other roles.

Bar Boys: A New Musical will be staged for three weeks only from May 3 to 19 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati.