Award-Winning Filipino Musical Walang Aray Returns To Stage
The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is set to restage its critically acclaimed musical Walang Aray from August 29 to October 12, 2025, at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. A contemporary adaptation of Severino Reyes’ classic zarzuela Walang Sugat, the production returns with sharper satire, deeper emotional stakes, and bold new interpretations. Blending humor, romance, and political commentary, Walang Aray continues to resonate with audiences as it explores the intersection of love and resistance.
PETA’s 58th Season
As the flagship production of PETA’s 58th season, themed Love and Power, this revival features a more comedic, more subversive, and bolder and biting Walang Aray while retaining its heartwarming core.
Director Ian Segarra reprises his role at the helm, now joined by Norbs Portales as Associate Director, who brings a fresh and daring creative pulse to the production. “His insight, energy, and collaboration helped shape this new version into something sharper and, in many ways, braver,” Segarra shares.
The rerun also offered Segarra a rare opportunity to “dig deeper into the material with new eyes.” The creative team revisited scenes, questioned previous choices, and refined what needed refining, adding new songs and revisiting old ones. They also focused on ensuring a safe space for everyone in the production during rehearsals as part of PETA’s evolving practice of “care”.
PETA’s new Artistic Director, J-mee Katanyag explains the necessity of a rerun: “Walang Aray remains to be a relevant theatrical piece for every Filipino trying to live, love, learn, heal, and fight back in a world full of aray,” as the musical delves into how love and power intersect, examining how our romantic, familial, and national relationships are shaped and often wounded by systems of control.
This run proves that classic stories can be timeless when reinforced with a daring spirit that speaks to the pulse of today’s society. Rody Vera’s brilliantly written script will continue to underscore the messages of resistance and romance with enhanced with updated contemporary references. Vince Lim, who grabbed the 14th Gawad Buhay for Outstanding Original Score, adds playful new songs and reworked arrangements to Walang Aray’s infectious pop musical catalog.
Inclusive Casting
PETA presents a version of this classic that reflects the full spectrum of identities and experiences in our society. A defining element of this revival is its revolutionary and inclusive casting, particularly in its central roles. Among the most notable casting choices is that of Lance Reblando, a multi-talented performer known for their commanding stage presence, who takes on the role of Julia. This casting is a deliberate move by PETA to broaden representation and expand the possibilities of storytelling on the Filipino stage.
Reblando’s casting isn’t just a bold choice; It challenges norms, expands representation, and proves that love stories can break the mold. “This is what it means to tell Filipino stories today,” Segarra affirms.
The new cast members brings their own flair to beloved roles: Rendell Sanchez as Miguel, Divine Aucina as Monica, Gold Villar-Lim as Juana, and Roi Calilong as Padre Alfaro. The ensemble also features James Lanante, MC Dela Cruz, Bomba Ding, Otep Madriaga, Miah Canton, Matel Patayon, and Zoe Damag.
They join the award-winning original cast: Gio Gahol (Tenyong), Jon Abella (Tenyong), Shaira Opsimar (Julia), Marynor Madamesila (Julia), Bene Manaois (Miguel), Kiki Baento (Monica), Carlon Matobato (Lucas), Neomi Gonzales (Juana), Gie Onida (Don Tadeo), Csairus Habla (Don Tadeo), Johnnie Moran (Padre Alfaro), and the quick-witted and sharp supporting cast, Jarred Jaicten, Gerard Dy, Yeyin de la Cruz, Ayla Garcia, and Ada Tayao.
Jolina Magdangal and Ice Seguerra
Adding even more star power to this run, Philippine pop culture icons Jolina Magdangal and Ice Seguerra join the cast. Magdangal takes on the role of the outrageous Doña Juana, while Seguerra brings charm and comic flair as Lucas, Tenyong’s loyal sidekick.
Having two sets of actors has been both thrilling and creatively invigorating for Segarra: “It’s double the brilliance, double the chaos, and double the heart. Watching the show transform through their choices has been one of the greatest joys of this process,” he shares.
With refreshed staging, inclusive casting, and new musical surprises, the new version of Walang Aray promises a reimagined transformation. The show invites everyone to laugh, reflect, and experience a love and revolution on stage. It’s the kind of theater that doesn’t just entertain—it moves you. And it asks something of you, too. To care more. To resist harder. To love louder. To stand up and love fiercely—Tumindig at Umibig… pa more.
