Inside the 9 Works Theatrical rehearsal space, the air feels charged, as if laced with the salt-spray of a world waiting to be born. YEMAYA stirs to life. This is more than a play. It is an immersive voyage across land and sea, tracing unseen threads of destiny and the aching quest for belonging.
At its core, this is the tale of a boy in motion. Yet as the ensemble assembles, it becomes clear that his journey is guided by a chorus of Philippine theater’s most powerful voices.
The Ancestral Compass
To anchor a mythic tale, you need a performer whose voice and presence feel elemental. Bituin Escalante embodies Yemaya/Inay. Carrying the gravitas of her acclaimed roles in Himala and Pingkian. She arrives as the production’s emotional compass, guiding the story with ancestral force.
The role of Jesus/Mulo is a dance of opposites, entrusted to two rising trailblazers. Tommy Alejandrino, whose performances in GomBurZa and The Baseball Player blend grit with grace, channels focused energy from his PHSA training. Benedix Ramos, ever the shapeshifter from Bar Boys and Next to Normal, infuses the role with a poetic fluidity that blurs the line between actor and musician.
Intrigue and Movement
Maya’s journey promises intrigue of its own. Sheena Belarmino, recently lauded for her Gawad Buhay-nominated performance in One More Chance. Brings a vibrant, pop-inspired energy. Sharing the role is Ness Roque, an artist-researcher whose collaborations with Salikhain Kolektib. Her training in Japan hint at a performance that is both cerebral and rooted in movement.
A Living Archive of Philippine Theater
This cast carries a living archive of Philippine theater. For instance, veteran actor-director Herbie Go steps in as Tico, embodying the legacy of Tanghalang Pilipino and the Virgin Labfest. In this role, he stands as a bridge, connecting storied traditions with bold new visions. The ensemble is further enriched by a constellation of indie film and stage luminaries, including Sheenly Gener (Insiang) as Lila and Anthony Falcon, a favorite of the Young Critics Circle and Gawad Urian, as Jelin. Finally, there is the ever-adaptable Wenah Nagales (Replacing Chef Chico), who is poised to take on the matriarchal lead.
Crafting the Atmosphere
The world these actors inhabit is crafted by a team specializing in atmosphere. Ed Lacson Jr. imagines both direction and skeletal set design. Teresa Barrozo provides sonic landscapes. JM Cabling shapes movement, while Ericson Navarro’s costumes and Jethro Nibaten’s lights build a world where the sea isn’t just a setting—it’s a character.
As monsoon rains gather outside from 13 June to 5 July, tides surge within The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater. Expect an atmosphere that is mythic, immersive, and deeply human. This is not merely a performance to witness, but an experience to be swept into.
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