The hit musical production “Rak of Aegis” written by Lisa Magtoto, musical direction by Myke Salomon and direction by Maribel Legarda, is back for a sixth season to rock our world from June 20 to September 2, 2018 at the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).
After five runs and 300 shows, the phenomenal PETA production that took everyone by storm (quite literally) is back on stage with its original and new cast members. Rak of Aegis Season 6 kicked off with a talent competition and audition for the lead roles called Hu Got Talent: The Search For The Next Rakstar contest.
The competition also served as a tribute to Aileen’s story, the lead character of the show. “A no one who wants to be a someone. A simple girl who wants to use her art, her voice, to find her place in the world. We are doing Hu Got Talent with the objective of bringing in fresh-off-the-boat talent. It is a tribute to Aileen, a girl with big dreams, who, amidst all of her challenges, can soar above them and reach her dreams,” says Legarda.
During the search, nine emerged to the top among the hopefuls who auditioned to join the fresh batch of talents or the next “Rakstars” who will alternate in the major roles of Aileen, Tolits, Kenny and Jewel. This includes Shaira Opsimar and Princess Vire as Aileen, Kent Pontivedra as Tolits, Remus Villanueva as Kenny, Adrian Lindayag as Jewel, Marielle Mamadayas (ensemble), Gil Aguedan (ensemble), Matel Patayon and Crystal Paras (ensemble).
Rak of Aegis follows the story of Aileen, a simple yet talented girl who wanted to rise to fame and make a name for herself so she can help her family, and how people at Barangay Venezia manage to endure the incessant flooding and blatant exploitation in their community.
And if you haven’t seen Rak of Aegis during its previous runs, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t miss it this time around:
1. It’s the perfect show to watch this rainy season!
The show features the story of people from Barangay Venezia who are suffering from floodwaters after the onslaught of a typhoon. It depicts the resiliency of Filipinos who—despite facing environmental, economical, and political challenges—manage to stand still and have a positive outlook in life.
The ingenious stage setup of Rak of Aegis will wow you as the cast sings Aegis’ classic “Basang-Basa Sa Ulan.” Art imitates life as raindrops fall on to the theater stage and floods the Barangay even more. The scenes mirror the struggles many Filipinos have to endure especially during the rainy season and how their daily lives go on despite it.
Rak of Aegis was inspired by the events after the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy last 2009 and according to Legarda, typhoon Yolanda happened while they were in the process of putting it together.
2. It features timeless Aegis hits that you’d want to sing on karaoke all day after the show.
There’s no denying that Aegis is a band that Filipinos across all social classes and ages are very familiar with. The ’90s pop rock band composed of sisters Juliet, Mercy, and Kris Sunot on vocals, is known as one of the pillars of OPM that gave us songs we banged our heads to while trying to hit the high notes.
Rak of Aegis brings their songs to life through Aileen’s story and the struggles of people in Barangay Venezia. Throughout the show, you’ll hear some of the Aegis hits that you grew up singing in the shower or belting out on karaoke like “Basang-Basa Sa Ulan,” “Halik,” “Sinta,” “Sayang na Sayang,” “I Love You Na Lang Sa Tago,” and “Para Kay Aileen”.
3. It touches on the underlying issues of poverty, how natural disasters and exploitation from capitalists affects the lives of the lowest sector in the community.
Despite it presenting the struggles of the characters through hilarious banters from the cast, Rak of Aegis dwells on how the poor are affected by natural calamities hitting the country and how commercialism runs over the poor.
One of the turning points in the story is when people of Barangay Venezia found out that the flood was caused not only by a storm but also by another disaster that the poor have no power against.
4. It’s a relatable story of how a dreamer strives hard to achieve her goals in life
In the age of social media, it’s easy for anyone to make an online presence—to go “viral” in a snap. People who wanted to make a name for themselves can easily upload things online and become an internet celebrity overnight.
Aileen wants to become famous—to have a viral video on YouTube as she sings Aegis’ “Basang-Basa Sa Ulan”. She wants to use her talent to make her dreams come true and as means to get her family out of the slums. And through her video, she hopes that help will come to relieve their Barangay from flood and open doors of better opportunities for everyone in Barangay Venezia.
5. “Bayanihan” still prevails in the community.
Despite everything Barangay Venezia endured, its people always had the determination to fight for their beloved land—to take a stand when they know they are wronged. People supporting each other and working along towards the same goal, is the kind of relationship anyone would want in a community. The people from Barangay Venezia reflect not just the resiliency of Filipinos, but also our ability to be there for each other and fight for one another in these trying times.
6. You will see familiar faces on the theater stage.
For its 6th season, Rak of Aegis brings back some of the original cast members to reprise their roles. These include Kim Molina, Pepe Herrara, Jerald Napoles, Kakai Bautista, Juliene Mendoza, Gab Pangilinan, Abi Sulit, Carla Guevara, OJ Mariano, and Teetin Villanueva. Theater veterans including Robert Seña, Isay Alvarez, Rody Vera, Lorenz Martinez, and Sheila Valderrama will also join the cast. The Company’s Sweet Plantado-Tiongson and Renz Verano will “rak” the stage as alternates of the characters of Mary Jane and Kiel.
7. It might be its last staging…
According to Legarda, this might be the last rerun of Rak of Aegis. “Ito na ang huli. We have had several offers to do a film,” but, true to the Peta mission of going to the communities, “[the play] is being prepared for [smaller-scale] mobile performances.”
So be sure to catch Rak of Aegis before it’s too late!
“Rak of Aegis” runs from June 20 to September 2 at the PETA Theater Center, with shows on Wednesdays to Fridays (8:00 PM) and Saturdays to Sundays (3:00 PM and 8:00 PM). For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at Tel. No. 725-6244 or TicketWorld at 891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph.
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