MANILA, Philippines – Here’s a welcome break from the grueling summer heat — The Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) hit comedy musical Rak of Aegis makes its 5th comeback as the company gears toward its 50th year celebration. The extraordinary spectacle of rain and flood is set to run from June 17 to August 28, 2016 with a whopping 82 shows, and features an impressive new roster of artists.
PETA’s widely popular production has garnered over 20 awards and citations since its opening on 2014, including Outstanding Original Musical, Outstanding Musical Direction, .Outstanding Stage Direction Outstanding Original Libretto to name a few. Aside from its numerous awards With multiple awards and endless stream of followers, Rak has produced a record-breaking 206 shows; indeed a feat for Philippine theater.
This season, the talented Rak ensemble reprise their roles as the colorful Villa Venizians with two wickedly talented new Aileens in The Voice runner up Alisah Bonaobra, and actress Tanya Manalang.
Theater newbie Alisah shares she has a lot more in common with Aileen apart from a powerful singing voice. “Yung gusto kong sumikat at madiscover sa Youtube, yun talaga yung tumatak sakin!” she admits, laughing.
Prior to becoming the runner up on The Voice Philippine’s second season, clips of Alisah singing ‘Let It Go’ on a karaoke machine in a well-known mall went viral on Youtube. Lately, she enjoys a stint in Eat Bulaga’s Just Duet segment with Rak co-star Aicelle Santos.
Albeit daunted and nervous, Alisah is grateful for the opportunity to debut into theater with such an established production. As a gifted performer, she now braves new heights with the hopes of developing her acting skills. “Gusto ko kasi talaga matuto… sana mahasa yung acting skills ko at pagkanta kasi iba ‘pag theater, iba rin naman ‘pag live.”
Meanwhile Tanya Manalang, also taking on the role of Aileen, is no stranger to theater. Most recently, she was on the London stage playing Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. This is her first Filipino musical, and her first production with PETA.
“I’ve been hearing great things about [Rak of Aegis], birit musical to e; that in itself, challenge na yun.” she shares. “But I’m just gonna keep training in my spare time, to use the right technique; ‘di naman ako talaga biritera, but I have to finish the show without injuring my voice.”
Tanya began her formal training in theater at age six and was recently trained in musical theater at the Arts Educational School in London. Despite the rigorous discipline and focus theater demands, Tanya relates most to her character’s cheerfulness. “[Aileen] is bubbly, she’s generally a very cheerful person and I see that in myself. Kalog kasi talaga ako!”
Also new to the Rak stage are powerhouse veterans up-and-coming theatre actors Vince Lim (as Kenny), Carla Laforteza (as Mary Jane), Tricia Jimenez and Joann Co (alternating as Mercy), and Jon Santos (as Fernan).
Reprising the role of “Aileen” is Kapuso breakout star Aicelle Santos and TV/theater actress Kim Molina. Several talented Venizia veterans are back as well, including Benj Manalo, Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, OJ Mariano, Renz Verano, Loy Martinez, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Sweet Plantado, Kakai Bautista, Neomi Gonzales, Juliene Mendoza, Gilbert Onida, Jimi Marquez, Phi Palmos, Ron Alfonso, Carlon Matobato, Gio Gahol, John Moran, Paeng Sudayan, Roi Calilong, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Abi Sulit, Via Antonio, Gold Villar, Teetin Villanueva, Raflesia Bravo, Jet Barrun, and Gab Pangilinan.
This might be your last chance to catch Rak of Aegis for a very long time! Don’t miss the fifth comeback of PETA’s hit comedy musical. The show runs from June 17 to August 28, Tuesdays to Fridays 8PM, Saturdays to Sundays 3PM and 8PM at the PETA Theater Center.
For tickets, go to ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999 or contact PETA 725-6244 or email us at petatheater@gmail.com