This is a story about a girl.
Not a fairytale, but herstory.
Kasaysayan, karigtan, kababaihan.
The first ever P-pop Musical is back to slay the stage again.
Tanghalang Pilipino is celebrating its 40th anniversary season, “Past Forward,” by bringing back Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical!
When it first hit the stage in 2025, Gregoria actually made history. Specifically, it became the country’s very first P-pop musical. It’s a super fresh take. Ultimately, it completely reimagines the life of Gregoria de Jesus using modern pop music and choreography. This beautifully puts the “Lakambini of the Katipunan” right where she belongs.
At the very center of her own story.
P-pop Musical On Recovering History
Last year, Tanghalang Pilipino paired Gregoria Lakambini with its “Bayaniverse” lineup. This collection featured Mabining Mandirigma and Pingkian.
Meanwhile, it’s no secret that we’re facing a literacy crisis. As a result, younger generations struggle to connect with classic historical pieces like Ibong Adarna or Jose Rizal’s works.
Therefore, theatermakers are exploring creative modern techniques. They want to make history click while still sparking critical thinking.
For this musical, dramaturg Sabrina Basilio believed P-pop was the perfect, accessible doorway. After devising during rehearsals, the dramaturg and the cast successfully proved their point.
In short, they showed that a P-pop framework was the ultimate way to justify and refresh the story.
kasi nga oral tayo as a culture and it’s a very anti-colonial way of doing theatre to go back to our oral literacy.”
shares Sabrina.
yung paggamit ng P-pop is like a very, very extreme version of leaning into the oral and leaning into the movement as a way of recovering history that text didn’t do.”
Sabrina added, as she firmly believes that text reliance is a legacy of colonialism.
Thus, it’s a very moving thing to always think about other perspectives beyond the text.
Oryang and the Crew
To begin with, the 2025 debut crew truly set the Pinay Pop standard on theatre stages.
Starring as Gregoria de Jesus is Marynor Madamesila.
She is a rising theater star known for lead roles in Walang Aray, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy, and Side Show. Additionally, a versatile ensemble joins her. This includes Anya Evangelista, Sarah Monay, Murline Uddin, Sofia Sacaguing, Ynna Rafa, and Heart Puyong. They play all supporting characters.
Furthermore, they serve as a hilarious, fourth-wall-breaking Greek chorus.
Meanwhile, the musical features a book by Nicanor Tiongson and Eljay Castro Deldoc. It also features catchy music by Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang. Moreover, this music was arranged by Flip Music Productions. Delphine Buencamino directed the show. Additionally, she co-choreographed the high-energy dances with Jan Matthew Almodovar.
The show’s creative world is shaped by Mark Lorenz (set), Earvin Estioco (lighting), JM Jimenez (projections), and Arvy Dimaculangan (sound). Sabrina Basilio also contributed dramaturgy. Finally, everything is tied together by Marco Viana’s stunning, standout costume designs.
Nica Del Rosario Joins The Musical Stage
First of all, the pop-powered score of the musical is brought to life by hitmaker Nica del Rosario. She works together with her longtime collaborator, Matthew Chang.
Nica is known for chart-topping anthems like Rosas, Tala, and Karera. Now, she makes her exciting stage debut as a musical theater composer for Gregoria Lakambini.
The show features a tracklist that instantly hooks audiences. In fact, it caused major LSS on its first staging. The tracklist includes the title track “Gregoria Lakambini”. It is followed by catchy tunes like “Buwan, buwan,” “Saya’t Alampay,” “Paalam, Andres,” “Bagong Pag-ibig,” “Kakambal na Tala,” and “Bon Appetit, Heneral”
—definitely a playlist you’ll want to keep handy after watching.
If you don’t want to miss a single show, you can grab a TP40 Season Pass at bit.ly/TP40SeasonPass.
By doing so, it locks in a guaranteed house seat for every production. It also scores you a free souvenir program.
Plus, pass holders get some pretty sweet perks. For instance, you get a 10% discount on official merch and up to two extra tickets. You also get a 20% discount on costume or prop rentals.
Finally, you enjoy exclusive early bird access to special events.
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