Worth the wait, worth the risk: No turning back as PETA's 'Walang Aray' makes its much-awaited return

 

Less than 10 minutes away from arriving at the PETA Theater, I considered going back home. It was the preview for the rerun of Rody Vera's award-winning hit musical "Walang Aray", which is a reimagining of Severino Reyes’ classic zarzuela "Walang Sugat". 

This was something I had been looking forward to ever since PETA announced that they would be doing "Walang Aray" this year to kick off their new season.
Naturally, I was excited. What witty, tongue-in-cheek lines would they incorporate this time? 

But this is just one of the many reasons why this production is so memorable for me. They would seamlessly incorporate things that have made headlines recently as well as whatever is trending in pop culture at the time into the script and once delivered, it always sticks the landing. (If there's a particular joke that you missed and everyone else around you is laughing, don't worry because you can always ask your friends about it after the show.)   

I had been lucky enough to watch the opening night and the closing show of "Walang Aray" during its initial run in 2023 and it became an instant PETA favorite of mine, surpassing "Rak of Aegis". Whenever friends ask me, it's always my top of mind suggestion: "wait for the rerun I would say".

I guess I enjoyed the original songs more and how it kinda reminded me of "Moulin Rouge"--a movie I can watch over and over again--in some way.

So for me to consider missing this show, in my mind, would be crazy. But then again, going out and watching a play with an injured right eye was actually crazier. See, I had a bit of a sports-related accident three days earlier during a tennis match, when the ball ricocheted off my racquet's frame and hit the side of my right eye. It wasn't even a direct hit but the pain was too much I stopped playing right then and there. Thankfully, my teammate was able to ask for an ice pack and the tennis court attendant at Manila Polo Club was quick to provide one. The white of my eye was practically red and simply blinking was really painful.

Long story short, I still found myself walking up the steps of PETA. I immediately saw friends, which is always nice, and even bumped into Kate, who I last saw in person more than a year ago in a golf resort hotel in Clark.

Once in our seats, you could already feel the excitement in the air. I was wearing tinted sunglasses the entire time because I didn't want to wear an eyepatch, something I wish I did especially during scenes with strong flashing lights in which I had to avert my gaze.

So there I was, ironically feeling pain while watching my favorite Filipino theatre musical "Walang Aray". But I was too into it, already doing my usual "woot woot!" as soon as "Front Act" started. It helped that the audience also brought the energy that I'm sure even the cast can feel while performing on stage.

I won't get too much into any technical aspects as I don't really consider myself a theater critic but the set design, the lighting, and the projections were very much on point, especially during scenes that highlighted individual characters including Lance Reblando who I will praise in a few minutes.

The songs (available on Spotify) are still as fun to listen to as I remember them, the costumes as outlandish when it needs to be, and the pacing never allowed for a dull moment.

Were Jolina Magdangal and Ice Seguerra good? Definitely! For her theater debut, Jolina hit her stride early on as Doña Juana and brought her signature quirks that Filipinos have always loved about her. Ice, who was in a two-person play "Choosing" recently with real-life partner Liza Diño-Seguerra, took on the very important role of Lucas, which is perhaps one of the most physically challenging in "Walang Aray".

But the star of the night, as most will agree, is Lance Reblando who owned it in her role as Julia. Playing opposite the super talented Gio Gahol as Tenyong, Lance was such a delight to watch as a demure Maria Clara who blurts out Gen-Z lines with the utmost authenticity. This was truly a star-making performance for her.

She hit the high and low notes with an inspired confidence (and she even did some sick breakdance moves!) it's easy to see why she had one of the loudest cheers during curtain call. 

"Walang Aray" curtain call last August 28, 2025

Ah, the loud applause during curtain call. Both in tears already, Ice went to hug Lance in a heartwarming moment. It was as if a load had come off their shoulders, they knew they could pull it off (and they did), and everything from here on out should be smooth sailing.

They of course, aren't the only stars of the show and I have to really commend as well Kiki Baento (kanino ka lang?), the always golden Johnnie Moran, Gie Onida (we kept wondering if moving the toupee around was intentional haha), and Bene Manaois who was super cool when we saw him outside after the show.

More than anything else, I was glad I powered through the pain that day. I can only imagine how much I would have missed had I gone home. Seeing friends once more, seeing the outpouring of love and support Filipinos have for theatre, and seeing just how much it means to these actors, much like Julia's love for Tenyong, it was worth the wait and worth the risk to experience and see--even if, at the time, it was just with my good left eye. By Dexter R.Matilla

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You have until October 12, 2025 to watch "Walang Aray" at the PETA Theater.

Ticket prices are as follows: P2,500 (VIP Front and VIP Elevated), P2,000 (Orchestra Center and Balcony Center), P1,500 (Orchestra Side), and P1,200 (Balcony Side).

"Walang Aray" is produced by PETA in partnership with Indie.Go Media, together with Metrobank. 

For partnerships and show-buying inquiries, contact Mitch Go at 0917-539-1112 or email PETA at petatheater@gmail.com. For more information about Walang Aray, follow PETA’s social media pages: @petatheater.