Walang Aray Breaks All Barriers: You WON'T Believe Who's Playing Julia!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is bringing back its award-winning musical, Walang Aray, for a third run from August 29 to October 12, 2025, at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. This "fiercer and sharper iteration" of the musical, a reimagining of Severino Reyes’ sarsuwela 

Walang Sugat, serves as the centerpiece of PETA’s 58th season, themed "Love and Power".

A Timeless Story Reimagined

Walang Aray blends humor, romance, and political commentary to explore the intersection of love and resistance. This new production is described as more comedic, subversive, bolder, and biting, yet it retains its heartwarming core. PETA's new Artistic Director, J-mee Katanyag, emphasizes the musical's continued relevance, stating that it speaks to "every Filipino trying to live, love, learn, heal, and fight back in a world full of aray". The musical delves into how love and power intersect, examining how relationships are shaped and wounded by systems of control.

Director Ian Segarra, who reprises his role at the helm, reflected on the initial staging, acknowledging the risk of infusing a traditional form like sarsuwela with comedy, meta-theater, and commentary. He noted that Walang Aray became a bridge between the past and present, revealing that "the wounds of our history are still open". The creative team revisited scenes, questioned previous choices, and refined elements, adding new songs and revisiting old ones. Norbs Portales joins as Associate Director, bringing a "fresh pulse, insight, energy, and collaboration" to the production.

Revolutionary and Inclusive Casting

A defining element of this revival is its "revolutionary and inclusive casting," particularly in its central roles. PETA has made a deliberate artistic choice to broaden representation by featuring members of the LGBTQIA+ community in pivotal roles, redefining storytelling and challenging norms.

The cast features a blend of returning and new faces. Gio Gahol and Jon Abella return as Tenyong, while Shaira Opsimar and Marynor Madamesila reprise their roles as Julia. Notably, Lance Reblando, a multi-talented performer, takes on the role of Julia, a deliberate move by PETA to expand representation.

New cast members bringing their flair to beloved roles include:

Jolina Magdangal (in her theater debut) and Gold Villar-Lim as Juana 

Ice Seguerra as Lucas 

Rendell Sanchez as Miguel 

Divine Aucina as Monica 

Roi Calilong as Padre Alfaro 

The new ensemble members include James Lanante, MC Dela Cruz, Bomba Ding, Otep Madriaga, Miah Canton, Matel Patayon, and Zoe Damag.

Original cast members returning to their roles include:

Bene Manaois as Miguel 

Kiki Baento as Monica 

Carlon Matobato as Lucas 

Neomi Gonzales as Juana 

Gie Onida and Csairus Habla as Don Tadeo 

Johnnie Moran as Padre Alfaro 

The original ensemble includes Jarred Jaicten, Gerard Dy, Yeyin de la Cruz, Ayla Garcia, and Ada Tayao.

The press conference featured several song performances:

"Front Act" performed by MC Dela Cruz, Otep Madriaga, Ayla Garcia, and Miah Canton 

"Pangako 'Yan" performed by Gio Gahol and Lance Reblando 

"Papa" performed by Roi Calilong 

"O Bayan Ko" performed by Jon Abella and Marynor Madamesila 

"Tipo Kong Lalaki" performed by Shaira Opsimar and Gold Villar-Lim 

"B.O.R.T.A." performed by Rendell Sanchez 

"Walang Aray Finale" performed by the entire cast 

Artistic and Production Team

The artistic team behind Walang Aray includes:

Rody Vera: Playwright & Librettist 

Vince Lim: Composer, Additional Libretto, Musical Director, and Sound Designer 

Ian Segarra: Director 

Norbs Portales: Associate Director 

Gio Gahol: Choreographer 

Julio Garcia: Set Designer

Patrick Jusay: Props Designer

David Esguerra: Lighting Designer

Bonsai Cielo: Costume Designer

Happy Constantino: Sound Designer

A Call to "Tumindig at Umibig… pa more!"

Walang Aray is more than just entertainment; it is a call to action: "Tumindig at Umibig… pa more!" (Stand up and love fiercely… even more!) . The production advocates a non-binary way of looking at the world, celebrating identity and transcending conventional boundaries in love. The play's message of love and revolution urges audiences to fight for a world where everyone belongs and can love without fear.

This revival of Walang Aray is a "cultural moment," celebrating identities, calling for collective remembrance, and reminding everyone that "love will always be the most powerful revolution".

Walang Aray is produced by PETA in partnership with Indie.Go Media, with Metrobank as the official banking partner. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.net. For partnerships and inquiries, PETA can be contacted at publicrelations@petatheater.com or petatheater@gmail.com. Follow PETA's social media pages @petatheater for more information.

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