In REX, the consequences of unchecked power and corruption unfold against a familiar backdrop: devastating floods, questionable infrastructure, and a community bearing the weight of its leaders’ choices.
Mounted by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s School of Arts, Culture and Performance (SACP), this contemporary reimagining of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex swaps divine fate for human hubris, framing a city’s downfall around the deliberate actions of those in power.
Written by Palanca Hall of Famer Joshua Lim So and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio, the production bridges classical theater and modern Filipino sociopolitical realities.
A city brought to its knees
Set in the city of Tebes, the story centers on the Po family and their construction empire, St. Paul the Apostle Constructions. When torrential rains leave over a hundred people dead, the catastrophe sets off a cascade of revelations—threatening to expose the deeply guarded secrets and interests the family has fought to keep hidden.
As the truth gradually unravels, the narrative shifts focus to the deeply human cost of systemic corruption. The flood becomes far more than a natural disaster; it forces an urgent confrontation with accountability, public trust, and the quiet consequences of decisions made behind closed doors.
By shifting the catalyst of tragedy from divine fate to institutional failure, REX roots an ancient story in a distinctly local landscape. Its themes strike a familiar chord in a society where natural disasters routinely bring renewed scrutiny to public infrastructure, government spending, and the heavy concentration of political power.
A meeting of generations onstage
The production brings together dynamic student performers, seasoned professional actors, faculty, alumni, and industry practitioners—creating a diverse ensemble that mirrors the creative depth of the Benildean community.
Veteran actors Eula Valdez and Martin Del Rosario lead the cast, reuniting onstage 12 years after both earned Gawad Urian awards for their performances in the critically acclaimed indie film Dagitab (2014).
They are joined by Bong Cabrera (Theater Arts faculty), Sheryll Ceasico, Emilio Macabantad (Theater Arts alumnus), and EJ Jallorina—a former Goin’ Bulilit star who continues to champion authentic queer representation in Philippine media.
In REX, Jallorina plays a transgender woman, bringing nuanced visibility to queer lives onstage and pushing past traditional media stereotypes.
Alongside these seasoned artists are student performers from Benilde’s BA Theater Arts program. Placing emerging talent shoulder-to-shoulder with veteran actors creates an inspiring cross-generational conversation around a demanding theatrical work.
Behind the scenes, a collaborative effort
The world of REX extends far beyond its script. Its staging blends creative practices across multiple disciplines—weaving together theater, movement, lighting, sound, costume, and projection design.
This collaborative web connects Benilde programs in Theater Arts, Production Design, Dance, Music Production, Multimedia Arts, Photography, and Creative Industries Management. Every element plays a distinct role in shaping how the story moves through the audience.
More than an adaptation of a classic text, REX offers a glimpse into the intersection of arts education and professional theater-making, uniting students, educators, alums, and industry leaders in a shared creative voice.
Catch ‘REX’ in Makati
REX runs for approximately one hour and 45 minutes at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.
Audiences can choose from three distinct seating experiences: Trono ni Rex (VIP center elevated bleachers), Tanaw ng Tebes (front floor-level seating), and Sa Gilid ng Lihim (side seating).
Evening performances run on November 19 and 20 at 7:00 PM, with weekend shows on November 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Through its evocative reworking of Oedipus Rex, REX invites audiences to look beyond the classic myth and consider how the pursuit of power, the concealment of truth, and the failures of leadership continue to shape the fate of a community.
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