A Treat from the Universe: A High Five Review of “Mula sa Buwan”

In its rerun at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Pat Valera and William Elvin Manzano’s hit musical Mula Sa Buwan proves why Filipino musicals are worth every penny.

by Sharmaine Irish Padua, Wave Maker
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Based on Edmond Rostand’s French book and play Cyrano de Bergerac, Mula Sa Buwan is a local adaptation set in the Philippines during the Second World War that follows a found family of misfits weathering through life’s constellation of obstacles.

In this High Five review, we take a look at how this production uniquely tackles defiance and love prevailing even at the darkest of times.

A Fantastical Set

 

The Samsung Performing Arts Theater is already a sight to behold, housing over 1,500 audience members within three tiers of seating: orchestra, loge, and balcony. Coupled with the vivid lighting, surreal projections, and romantic sets, the theater transports its audience into a dream-like universe.

Ohm David’s set design and Meliton Roxas Jr.’s lighting were spot on, establishing the fantastical world that the characters existed within. The play’s world was just the right mix of make-believe and reality that it was easy for the audience to follow along the numerous changes of sets.

An Enchanting Score

In the spirit of full honesty, Mula Sa Buwan’s score is not something you can sing during karaoke. Not just because of how wonderfully complex the arrangements are, but because having people sing along without knowing the spirit of the story just doesn’t sit right. But that’s both the beauty and downside of great musical scores. They are best sung within the context of their story.

Without knowing what Cyrano and his found family have been through to fight for the world to recognize their passion and for their rightful place in it, you do not belt out its titular song “Mula Sa Buwan” with the hope it deserves. Without learning of Cyrano’s unrequited love for Roxane and what he would sacrifice to make her happy, “Ikaw” might sound like any other love song. Without understanding Roxane’s grief, “Ang Sabi Nila” might blend into a roster of sad musical songs talking about lost loves. Grief rooted in constant worry and waiting for the shoe to drop might not translate well into music without knowing Roxane’s journey, and the same goes for all the other songs in the soundtrack. For better or for worse, the songs in Mula Sa Buwan are deeply tied to the story the play wants to tell.

Captivating Performances

Photos from Kyle Venturillo

I’ve only seen Myke Salomon on stage twice, the first time in his role as Jamie for Barefoot Theater Collaborative’s adaptation of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years, and the second time in his role as Cyrano in Mula Sa Buwan. I can safely say that he has more than surpassed expectations.

As Cyrano, Salomon portrays a Filipino cadet with an uncharacteristically long nose, but his performance makes you disregard the fact that his prosthetic nose might not look as unnatural as it ought to be. He is the star of the stage, stepping into the shoes of a 1940’s soldier who loves theater and performing as if it’s the most natural role in the world to play.

Not to say that his fellow leads, Gab Pangilinan as Roxane and MC Dela Cruz as Christian, were forgettable. Pangilinan portrays Roxane with a fierceness that’s suitable for Cyrano’s childhood friend and love, while Dela Cruz brings out a vulnerable side to Christian’s kind-hearted nature. Together, the three keep the audience at the edge of their seats, unsure if the next line will leave them laughing at the top of their lungs or crying their hearts out.

A Dynamic Dialogue

Photos from Kyle Venturillo

The play takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions, from the highest of triumphant highs to the lowest of depressing lows, and it’s the dialogue that captures these moments in perfect clarity.

The lines shared between actors is the light of this bleak war-torn setting, never feeling stagnant as it guides the story along, showing that despite the destruction that the war has brought upon us, the people continued with their lives. Jokes continued to be told, gossips were still whispered, songs were still sung, passions prevailed, and love lived on. And as cliché as it is at this point, this resilience is exactly what we Filipinos are made of.

An Uncommon Ensemble


Photos from Kyle Venturillo

The charm of the show lies in its ensemble—cast of misfits and dreamers command the stage, forcing its audience to look beyond their oddities and embrace their passion. They are every kind of artist the world has ever seen: hopeful, passionate, and relentless. They will sing at the top of their lungs and fight for the abundance of love they have in their hearts. They color the stage in rainbow with their costumes and energetic choreography. If you blink, you’re bound to miss a wonderful moment of brilliance that’s truly cathartic to watch.

Mula Sa Buwan is a testament to the significance of Philippine theater. Just as the character’s love for theater lives on, so does Philippine theater. Just as Cyrano’s love for Roxane continues to persist, so does the plight of Filipino thespians. Just as Mula Sa Buwan continues to bring in audiences, so will Filipino theater continue to thrive despite every problems thrown at us.

SEA Wave rates Mula Sa Buwan a 4 out of 5 waves.

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