Three of the most acclaimed performers in Philippine musical theater are coming together for Die Beautiful The Musical. IdeaFirst Live has officially announced that Audie Gemora, Karylle, and Esang de Torres are joining the cast of the highly anticipated production, set to open at the Proscenium Theater in June 2027. Widely hailed as the “King […]
A woman riding a horse while raising a bolo sword, fighting for her country and for the love of her life that was taken too early. Long before “heroine” became a title, María Josefa Gabriela Silang stepped forward, took command, and led the revolution herself. She fought not just for herself but for every Filipino […]
In 2022, film director and writer Jun Robles Lana stunned audiences with his raw and intimate storytelling of ‘About Us But Not About Us.’ Its exploration of grief, identity, and manipulation drew widespread acclaim, cementing its place as one of the most daring works in contemporary Philippine cinema. Four years later, the story first leapt […]
You know you’ve witnessed a great actor when every role they take becomes iconic—and that is exactly what Tim Curry was. The passing of legendary British actor Tim Curry is being mourned not only by his fans but also by those who witnessed his remarkable talent throughout his career. At 80, the actor died peacefully […]
History takes center stage as LIYAB, the country’s first major musical performed entirely by active-duty soldiers, premieres at the Metropolitan Theater on August 13 and 14, 2026. The production marks an unprecedented collaboration between the Armed Forces and the civilian creative community, demonstrating how the performing arts can become a powerful platform for nation-building, cultural […]
Is there anyone who can match—or even surpass—Nora Aunor’s portrayal of Annie Batungbakal? Before becoming the cultural icon she is today, Annie Batungbakal originated from the 1979 OPM disco hit by the band Hotdog. The song ‘Annie Batungbakal’ introduced the fictional character, who eventually became a symbol of Manila’s disco era. This left fans hoping […]
This November, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative invites audiences to meet the first Filipina revolutionary in GABRIELA: The Musical, an epic new musical set in 18th century Ilocos. Told through myth, magic, and mystery, the musical reintroduces Gabriela as a co-author of the revolution–present from the beginning and later tasked with holding it together as it fractures. […]
The Asian premiere of ‘anthropology,’ a psychological sci-fi drama by Lauren Gunderson, opened on March 12, 2026 at the Doreen Black Box Theater. Staged by Barefoot Theatre Collaborative, the production marks the play’s first staging in Asia and launches a strictly limited three-week run at Areté. Directed by Caisa Borromeo, the production features an all-female […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) has always existed in the space between promise and peril, offering both innovation and risk. Yet the central question remains: no matter how advanced it becomes, can it truly replace reality—or the irreplaceable presence of a human being? American playwright Lauren Gunderson’s ‘anthropology’ will have its own Asian Premier starting March 13 […]