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'Mula sa Buwan' still tugs at the heartstrings
This month, theater goers have been trooping north, to Ateneo's Arete, to be specific, to watch a musical on its third run.
It's “Mula sa Buwan”, a musical set in the Philippines days before, during, and after World War II, based on Edmond Rostand's “Cyrano de Bergerac” and the Filipino translation by Soc Rodrigo.
You'd think a musical with such a setting would draw in the Gen X, baby boomers and maybe even the older generation who saw the war up close. But the audience has been mostly composed of millennials.
During gala night, for instance, there was a long line at the entrance, comprised mostly of young people with frappuccinos or milk tea in hand. They were excited, and so were we, ahem, representing the Gen X, to watch, feel, and get crushed —we've been warned.
Yes, Black Box Productions has marketed “Mula sa Buwan” as a heartbreaking musical. After all, “wala nang mas sasakit pa sa pag-ibig na sana,” quoting a line from the musical. Ouch.
And yes, “Mula sa Buwan” lives up to expectation. My heart was crushed. Again.
I caught its second run last year (it debuted in 2016) and there were so many feels as the story revolved around the main character Cyrano's secret love for his childhood playmate, the beautiful Roxane. The war came and cause devastation in the land, but his love never wavered.
This year's run still tugs at the heartstrings. You find yourself rooting for Cyrano, and Roxane too. You catch yourself crying in your heart at what war has done on people, their relationships, their world, our world.
And the music, oh the music! You find yourself falling in love with the lyrics of “Ikaw.” It goes:
Maiinggit ang bukang-liwayway
Ang ganda niya'y nawalan ng saysay
Sa kulay mong tinataglay at sa mundo'y ibinibigay.
You find your heart getting crushed as Roxane sings:
Ang sabi nila walang ibang magagawa
Kung ang puso'y lubhang nasaktan.
Pat Valera and William Elvin Manzano did the music and lyrics, and Valera gets the credit for the adaptation, book, and direction of the musical.
A word about the cast: Nicco Manalo proved he is more than perfect for the role of Cyrano. Since it's his third run as Cyrano, Manalo has mastered the role and is just simply Cyrano himself; he's not acting.
Gab Pangilinan does a good Roxane, but honestly my heart cried more with KL Dizon last year. Myke Salomon as Christian did justice to his role. Phi Palmos as Rossana was diva as diva can be—those high notes!—in the days before war came. And the ensemble worked hard and for me deserves a standing ovation.
The good news is that Mula sa Buwan, which is supposed to mount its final show tonight, will have a one-day extension. Do catch the last show on December 1 at 3 p.m.. Bring a hanky or tissue please—you've been warned. — LA, GMA News
