‘Liwanag sa Dilim,’ a new original Filipino Musical, opens March 7

9 works theatricalpress release

Feb 15

Written By SINEGANG PH

‘Liwanag sa Dilim,’ a new original Filipino Musical, opens March 7

SINEGANG PH December 10, 2024, 08:00 PM

*SINEGANG.ph published this press release as sponsored by 9Works Theatrical. No staff writer participated in writing this article.*

What if the key to your past held the power to change the future?

Step into Liwanag sa Dilim, a new original FIlipino musical featuring the songs of Rico Blanco.

Follow Elesi, an orphan on his quest to uncover the secrets of his past. Together with Cris, his trusted ally, they fight for justice — while an undeniable connection sparks between them and the people who challenge their hearts. This ignites a revolution that redefines their worlds.

With book and direction by Robbie Guevara, the new musical will feature the songs of Rico Blanco and will include a blend of seasoned actors, returnees, and newcomers.

The cast of Liwanag Sa Dilim will be headlined by Khalil Ramos, Anthony Rosaldo, CJ Navato, Vien King, Alexa Ilacad, and Nicole Omillo.

Khalil Ramos made his theater debut in tick, tick...BOOM! which earned him a Gawad Buhay nomination. He has starred in critically acclaimed films like 2 Cool 2 Be Forgotten, Liway, LSS, Dead Kids, Gomburza, and As If It’s True. In his other creative ventures, Khalil is a sought-after endorser and content creator, partnering with global brands while sharing his passion as a photographer and aspiring film director.

Anthony Rosaldo, a GMA Sparkle Artist, marked his theater debut with Ang Huling El Bimbo and was last seen on stage in the musical Rent. As a singer, he performed his solo concert, Switch, in January 2024 to a sold-out audience..

CJ Navato, a Star Magic Artist and former Goin’ Bulilit mainstay, starred in multiple television series and reality TV competitions throughout his career. His TV credits include roles on long-running series like Luv U, Dirty Linen, and Maalaala Mo Kaya. As a theater actor, he was seen on stage in One More Chance The Musical and Charot!.

With a decade-long career in the performing arts, Vien King has earned critical acclaim for his work, being awarded Best Actor in a Musical by the Gawad Buhay and LEAF Awards for his performance as Giorgio in Stephen Sondheim’s Passion. His recent stage credits include Rama in Rama Hari and Michael in tick, tick... BOOM!. On screen, he starred in Cathy Garcia-Molina’s MMFF hits Partners in Crime and Love at First Stream.

Star Magic Artist and former Goin’ Bulilit star Alexa Ilacad will be sharing a role with Nicole Omillo. A singer, actress, and host Alexa headlined multiple films and TV shows throughout the years. In theater, she made her theater debut in Walang Aray. Ever since she started acting at age two, Alexa has been in the spotlight as an all-around performer. She made waves acting in the iconic Four Sisters Before The Wedding, and in TV series like Init Sa Magdamag, The Killer Bride, and MMK, hosting various shows, and releasing her own original music.

VIVA Artist Nicole Omillo appeared onstage in One More Chance The Musical. As a film and TV actress, Nicole has appeared in Chasing in the Wild, Maalaala Mo Kaya, The Killer Bride, and Init Sa Magdamag. She also appeared in movies, Four Sisters Before the Wedding and the Netflix-produced film What If.

Also joining the cast are Rita Daniela, Neomi Gonzales, Arnel Carrion, Boo Gabunada, Jon Abella, Raul Montesa, Rica Laguardia, Lani Ligot, and Jasper John Jimenez.

Known as “The Undeniable Star,” GMA Sparkle Artist Rita Daniela has been in multiple TV show and films throughout her career, and one of the hosts of the variety show All-Out Sundays. On stage, she appeared in Maynila, Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag and Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!. Rita will be sharing a role with fellow Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! alum Neomi Gonzales. Last seen on stage in One More Chance The Musical, Neomi also played the role of Chayong in Himala Isang Musikal and in its film adaptation. For her role in Walang Aray, Neomi received a Gawad Buhay Award for Female Featured Performance in a Musical.

Arnel Carrion is an actor, singer, voice over talent, event host, and DJ. He began his career in 1990, and has done numerous stage plays and musicals including The Wizard of Oz, Seussical, Disney’s Tarzan, August: Osage County, Rapunzel, and The Great Christmas Cookie Bake Off.

Boo Gabunada has appeared in several musicals and plays such as Mula Sa Buwan, Ang Huling El Bimbo, Dekada ‘70, and Kundiman Party. As a film actor, Boo has appeared in As The Moth Flies, 2021 Cinemalaya entry The Dust In Your Place, and the Cinema One Originals 2015 Audience Choice Award movie, Baka Siguro Yata.

Gawad Buhay awardee Jon Abella has worked with various theater companies and was seen in musicals such as Disney's Newsies, A Christmas Carol, Rama Hari, and Himala Isang Musikal. He received the 2023 and 2018 Gawad Buhay Awards for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performances in Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! and Dekada 70, respectively. He most recently appeared on stage in One More Chance The Musical.

A TV, film, voiceover, and stage actor, Raul Montesa was last seen on stage in Once On This Island and One More Chance The Musical, receiving Gawad Buhay citations for both performances. Raul has appeared in the role of Assistant Commissar in the Germany, Manila, Hong Kong and Singapore stagings of Miss Saigon, and has also appeared in Passion and Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!.

A former member of the Philippine Opera Company’s Opera Belles, Rica Laguardia was last seen in productions such as One More Chance The Musical, Ibong Adarna, and Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical.

Singer and actress Lani Ligot was also last seen on stage in Once On This Island and Priscilla, receiving a BroadwayWorld nomination for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for her performance in the former. Other notable theatrical credits include roles in RAK of AEGIS, South Pacific, Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, Miong, Joseph the Dreamer, and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Jasper John Jimenez has appeared in acclaimed productions like Himala Isang Musikal and Ang Huling El Bimbo, reprising his role in the former’s film adaptation. Jasper was last seen onstage in Buruguduystunstugudunstuy.

Joining the cast are male performing swings Paji Arceo and Mark Tayag, as well as female performing swings Chez Cuenca and Fay Castro.

Paji Arceo was last seen onstage in One More Chance The Musical and has appeared in indie films such as Lahoy ng Daya, My Beshie Love, and Missed Calls.

Video and events director Mark Tayag makes his return to the stage, having last appeared in Rent, Grease, and Green Day’s American Idiot.

Chez Cuenca started her theater career as a teenager, appearing in productions such as One More Chance The Musical, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and King Lear.

Fay Castro is an actor, a burlesque dancer, wig designer, costume designer, writer, and director. Some of the titles that she has worked on include All Out Of Love, Beautiful: The Musical, Snow White and the Prince, RENT, and most recently Once on This Island.

Also part of the cast are Iya Villanueva, Derrick Gozos, Brianna Bunagan, Lucylle Tan, and Denzel Chang.

Iya Villanueva has choreographed and starred in music videos for notable OPM artists and was last seen on stage in Ang Huling El Bimbo, Mula Sa Buwan, and Buruguduystunstugudunstuy.

Derrick Gozos has appeared in theatrical productions such as Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!, Walang Sugat, Macbeth, Paglayang Minamahal, and El Camino Real.

Cast members Brianna Bunagan, Lucylle Tan, and Denzel Chang, making their professional theatrical debuts: GMA Sparkle Artist Brianna Bunagan graduated from Ateneo de Manila’s BFA Theater Arts program, and has appeared in TV shows like Start Up PH and Pepit Manaloto; Lucylle Tan recently graduated cum laude from UP Los Baños, major in Theatre Arts; and Denzel Chang who graduated from UP’s Theatre Arts program, is a Dulaang UP alum, and was recently crowned Mr. Chinatown 2024.

Last but not least, Elian Santos, Giani Sarita, Prince España, and Clave Sun join Liwanag Sa Dilim as the youngest cast members.

Elian Santos made his stage debut at the age of four, and has since been seen on stage at multiple productions such as Ibarra and Joseph the Dreamer; as well as a voice actor in different Netflix series such as Spirit Rangers, Leo, and Not Quite Narwhal. Giani Sarita, a Curve Entertainment artist, has graced international fashion runways and appeared in the film Rewind. He also debuted his single Ituloy Mo Lang and was handpicked by Smokey Mountain to give new life to their hit song Da Coconut Nut. Prince España has performed in the production of The Miracle of Fatima The Musical as well as in shows like Gomburza, Batang Quiapo, A Thousand Forest, and Forever Young. Clave Sun landed one of the lead roles in Pranks in Tandem and won hearts nationwide as he became one of Goin’ Bulilit’s crowd favorites. He was seen in multiple commercial campaign and appeared on It’s Showtime’s Magpasika

Liwanag Sa Dilim’s story is by Robbie Guevara, Jonjon Martin, and Mio Infante, and the musical arrangements and orchestration are by Orlando Dela Cruz. Joining the artistic team are Daniel Bartolome as musical director; Jonjon Martin as dramaturg; Lorenz Martinez, as assistant director; Elize Gabrido as assistant to the director; Mio Infante as scenographer; PJ Rebullida as choreographer; Shakira Villa-Symes as lighting designer; Aji Manalo as sound engineer/designer; GA Fallarme as video designer; Dong Calingacion as technical director; and JV Rabano as photographer.

Heading the production team is managing director and executive producer Santi Santamaria; with Anna Santamaria as operations and finance director; Charyl De Guzman as production manager; Jonjon Martin and Loreta Arroyo as PR managers; GM Hernandez as marketing manager; Reine Paisley as marketing & social media head; and Pachot Festejo as production stage manager.

Liwanag Sa Dilim will be showing on all weekends from March 7, 2025, at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM Saturdays and Sundays, and 8:00 PM on Fridays, at the CPR Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City. Tickets are now available on Ticket2Me.

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Liwanag Sa Dilim is presented to you by 9 Works Theatrical, together with MAC Cosmetics as office makeup partner, Panasonic as official video partner, PitchWorks Inc. as official billboard partner, and PilotTV Philippines as Media Partner. Special thanks to The People Diary PH by Myra Ho.

#LiwanagSaDilimMusical #9WorksTheatrical