“She had me at my worst. You had me at my best. Pero binalewala mo lahat.”
This and other iconic lines from the movie “One More Chance” may soon be heard on the theater stage.
The 2007 romantic film starring John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo will be adapted into a musical featuring the music of Filipino band Ben&Ben, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) announced on Sunday, October 22.
The announcement was made during the final curtain call of the theater group’s “Walang Aray” at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City.
PETA also posted the announcement on its social media accounts that got online users and fans elated. “An epic reveal to an equally epic production,” it said.
PETA said that the “One More Chance” musical is slated for a 2024 run. No other details about the show were provided.
“One More Chance,” produced by ABS-CBN’s film arm Star Cinema, tells the story of college sweethearts Popoy (John Lloyd Cruz) and Basha (Bea Alonzo) who breakup after a five-year relationship. It became a box office when it was released in theaters in November 2007. The legacy of “One More Chance” has endured the test of time since its release, with its dialogue becoming iconic fixtures in local pop culture. Its sequel, “A Second Chance,” was released in November 15.
Ben&Ben, meanwhile, is a popular nine-member Filipino band with hits such as “Kathang isip,” “Maybe The Night” and “Leaves.”
The upcoming “One More Chance” musical is not ABS-CBN’s first foray into adapting its properties into theater productions.
Its stage musical adaptation of the weekly youth show “Tabing Ilog” is set to run at the PETA Theater Center this November. “Tabing Ilog: The Musical” was first staged in 2020; however, the COVID-19 pandemic cut its run short.
The 2023 staging of the “Tabing Ilog” musical is in partnership with PETA. It is directed by Phil Noble, with Eljay Deldoc writing the script and Vincent De Jesus as musical director, composer and lyricist.
“Unang-una po marami pong salamat sa PETA sa pagtulong sa amin para mabuo itong pangarap namin na maisadula at matanghal sa entablado, ang ‘Tabing Ilog.’ Thank you Direk Phil, kay Vincent and everybody in the cast and crew for working hard to fulfill this dream. I know with diligence, hard work, and the guidance of our director and the entire staff of PETA na makakagawa na tayo ng Obra Maestra na mapapanood ng mas nakakarami,” said ABS-CBN TV Production and Star Magic head Direk Lauren Dyogi Dyogi during the press launch for “Tabing Ilog” The Musical.”
He added: “Again, after two decades, we bring back the same stories of love, friendship, and family but with the new issues of Generation Z. We are excited about this. May this be a continuation of our partnership beyond this year! We look forward and are excited to see ‘Tabing Ilog: The Musical.” —Chuck Smith