Rising musical star Arman Ferrer will showcase his talent once again in the upcoming musical stage adaptation of Edgardo M. Reyes’ groundbreaking novel, “Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag.”
Arman was last seen on stage as Emilio Aguinaldo in the steampunk musical “Mabining Mandirigma,” for which he won the Gawad Buhay award for Best Featured Male in a Musical.
“Maynila, Sa Kuko ng Liwanag” the musical is solely based on Reyes’ novel, and not on the 1975 critically acclaimed film adaptation directed by Lino Brocka.
In the musical, classical singer, musical theater actor and Gawad Buhay awardee Arman Ferrer will take on the role of Julio Madiaga, a callow young man from Marinduque who travels to Manila in search of his beloved, Ligaya Paraiso. In the screen adaptation, Julio was portrayed by Bembol Roco while Hilda Koronel played Ligaya.
On stage, seasoned theater actress Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and young thespian Lara Maigue will alternate in the role of Ligaya.
In an interview with InterAksyon, Arman said that he had never met Bembol Roco, but he would grab the opportunity to visit with the veteran actor, if given the chance.
“Actually, gusto ko nga siyang ma-meet eh. Kasi it would be a very big help for me if I talk to him and understand the process that he went through with Direk Lino Brocka. Of course kami ni Direk Joel Lamangan, we have our own process together. But if ever I get the chance to talk to Bembol Roco, then I would know how ginawa ni Lino Brocka yung film,” Arman said.
Arman thinks that taking some cues from the acclaimed actor would be immensely beneficial, even if the play is based on the book alone. “Kasi added input yun eh. And sila yung nabuhay nung mga panahon na yun. So malaking bagay na malaman mo firsthand ano sila. ¬Kasi di ba, millennial ako. Paano ko gagawing pang-‘70s yung character ko? Iba ang behaviour ng mga tao noon eh, although we have the same problems. But the behaviour ng tao ay iba.”
He thinks that Bembol Roco’s portrayal of Julio was convincing, and one that he can learn from, and that the veteran actor exhibited character traits that he hopes to absorb.
“Yung pagiging naive ni Julio. Julio is unassuming. Eh maraming Manileños, hindi naman unassuming; they’re pushing their own agendas. Si Julio, no. Ang gusto lang naman niya makita si Ligaya at ibalik na sa probinsiya. So yung gusto kong makuha from the movie,” Arman explained.
Playing the role of a provincial lad won’t be easy for Arman, given that the character contradicts who he is in real life.
He shares, “Feeling ko ito talaga yung pinakamahirap kong role na gagawin kasi unang-una, award-winning siya. So yun pa lang, yung expectations ng mga tao, malaki.”
“Tapos of course, the character itself. Si Julio, galing siyang probinsiya, mangingisda pa. So yun pa lang, hindi na ako yun eh. Pagpunta niya dito sa Maynila, lahat sa kanya, ‘Wow, Maynila,ang ganda.’ Eh ako pag andito, wala lang, taken for granted kasi hindi naman ako probinsyano. I grew up in Manila. So ang challenge para sa akin, is paano maging bago lahat sa akin ito. Paano ko makikita ito sa perspective ni Julio?”
“At saka, di ba, this is a romantic story. Si Ligaya. Yun ang driving force ni Julio kung bakit siya pupunta ng Maynila, because of Ligaya. So yun ang kailangan kong ma-feel. At tsaka kailangan maipakita ko na it’s my love for Ligaya, na siya lang talaga ang dahilan kung bakit ako pumunta ng Maynila. Kasi ayaw talaga ni Julio kung di kay Ligaya. Ayaw niyang pumunta ng Maynila, Masaya na siya sa probinsiya.”
While Julio’s naiveté may be a weakness, Arman sees admirable qualities in Julio, and one such quality stands out for he rarely sees it nowadays.
“Yung you’d do everything for love. Ayaw ng parents ni Ligaya kay Julio, pero dahil sobrang love niya, kinausap niya yung parents at tinanong, ‘Nasaan po ba si Ligaya?’ Kasi sobrang nag-aalala siya kay Ligaya to the point na pumunta siyang Maynila para iuwi siya. Yun yung strength ni Julio. He would do anything for love — he would die for love. Wala na masyadong Ganoon. Yung chivalry, yung uunahin mo yung love kaysa sa sarili mo,” Arman said in conclusion.
The cast of “Maynila, Sa Kuko ng Liwanag” also includes Lloyd Tena as Pol, Noel Rayos as Atong, Rafa Seguion-Reyna and Joseph Puducay alternating as Imo, Aicelle Santos and Rita Daniela as Perla, Jim Pebanco and Joseph Billezar alternating as Mr. Balajadia, Khalil Kaimo as Gido, Jeffrey Camanag as Omeng, Romcel Binquis as Benny, Randy Rey as Frank, and Dulce and Ima Castro alternating as Mrs. Cruz.
The musical play is directed by acclaimed director Joel Lamangan, featuring production design by Jun Flavier Pablo, music by Von de Guzman, and choreography by Douglas Nierras.
It will be shown at the Kia Theatre on the following dates and show times: September 30, 3 pm and 8 pm ; October 1, 2017, 3 pm and 8 pm; October 4, 2017 8 pm; October 5, 2017 8 pm; and October 6, 2017 3 pm and 8 pm.
