Dannyka Manangan

PETA's ‘Kislap at Fuego’ delivers a fiery tale of love and freedom in the era of revolution

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177001320575306CJ Navato and Kyle Napuli.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>After beginning as a bold experimental work under PETA’s <em>Control + Shift</em> in 2024 and later featured in the <em>Control + Shift: Changing Narratives Festival</em> in 2025, <em>Kislap at Fuego </em>now claims its place in the main theater stage, running from January 27 to February 7, 2026 at the PETA Theater Center. Part of a twinbill production with <em>Children of the Algo,</em> the play stands firmly on its own: being confident, intimate, and surprisingly playful despite its historical backdrop. </p><p>Written by Dominique La Victoria and directed by Maribel Legarda and J-mee Katanyag, with Filipino translation by Gentle Mapagu, <em>Kislap at Fuego</em> unfolds — an unexpected tale set during the Philippine Revolution against Spain. It asks how love survives in times of chaos, and what freedom truly means when it comes to sacrifice. </p><div><strong>A love story born in the forest </strong></div><p>At the heart of the play is Gabriela Delos Reyes (Felicity Kyle Napuli), a young woman who offers herself as payment for her father’s debt after he steals mangoes from the forest guarded by a Kapre (CJ Navato). Her decision is driven by fear for the life of her father, but at the same time reveals her courage as a daughter. Their meeting in the forest, tense and emotional, sets the tone for a story that balances danger with tenderness. </p><p>CJ’s Kapre, also known as Ezequiel when he was still a human, immediately grounds the play with quiet intensity. From the moment Gabriela turns herself in, there is love in his eyes – something he tries to conceal behind the bravado expected of a feared forest guardian. CJ plays this contradiction well, showing a mystical being bound by the laws of the forest yet deeply human in his emotions. </p><div><strong>Humor that bridges eras </strong></div><p>Providing much of the play’s comic relief are Nuno Sa Punso Leron (Ekis Gimenez) and Pipay (Carlon Matobato). Their duo injects humor into the play that feels unmistakably modern using gestures, timing, and jokes familiar to contemporary audiences. While this sometimes contrasts sharply with the Spanish-era setting, their wit consistently wins the crowd. There are moments when certain gestures feel a bit too rehearsed rather than spontaneous, but overall, their presence keeps the story light without undermining its stakes. </p><p>Even as they portray the role of the  Guardia Sibil, complete with exaggerated movements and enlarged guns, they drew some of the loudest laughs from the crowd. A scene meant to be thrilling turns delightfully absurd, reminding the audience that <em>Kislap at Fuego</em> is unafraid to make even its most powerful scenes ridiculous.  </p><div><strong>The Kapre and Gabriela’s chemistry and yearning </strong></div><p>One of the production’s biggest strengths is the chemistry between CJ and Felicity. The <em>kilig </em>scenes between the Kapre and Gabriela repeatedly sent the audience into cheers. Subtle gazes, careful touches, and Gabriela’s self-consciousness around the Kapre feel especially relatable to younger audiences. Despite the Kapre’s seriousness, the romance never feels stiff – it feels lived in, restrained, and full of longing. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177001324871203CJ Navato and Kyle Napuli.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>That yearning comes to a head in confrontation scenes where love and duty collide. CJ’s emotional breakdown during a pivotal moment, as the Kapre struggles to express his love within the strict laws of the forest, underscores his range as a seasoned actor. The audience could feel the pain of two characters on the verge of separation, pulled apart by responsibilities larger than themselves. </p><div><strong>Rizal’s work and heroism  </strong></div><p>Felicity’s vocal solo highlight Gabriela’s growth from a fearful daughter to a woman willing to risk everything. Her transformation is mirrored in the use of familiar melodies during key moments, especially those tied to her breakthroughs in saving her father. Her powerful vocals make her journey accessible and emotionally resonant. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177001331081304CJ Navato and Kyle Napuli.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>The play’s references to Jose Rizal&#x27;s <em>Noli Me Tangere</em> are particularly striking. The novel, often approached with respect and seriousness, is reintroduced in the play in a way that speaks directly to younger viewers. The Kapre’s discovery of the book becomes a shared moment of realization – for the character and the audience alike – that Rizal’s ideas on heroism and injustice remain relevant. Gabriela’s father, a simple farmer and revolutionary who risks his life to save the book from Spanish authorities, embodies a quiet, everyday courage that defines the revolution beyond grand battles. </p><div><strong>An immersive world of magic and sound </strong></div><p>Visually, <em>Kislap at Fuego</em> leans into the magic of its forest setting. The scenic design transforms the stage into a space of wonder and unpredictability, with entrances and arrangements that constantly surprise. The sound design deepens this immersion, making the audience feel as though they are part of the forest itself. </p><p>Memorable props – such as the Kapre’s dog puppet and the Guardia Sibils&#x27; oversized weapons – add to the sense of spectacle. These elements, paired with lighting and projections, keep the production visually engaging without overwhelming the story. </p><div><strong>Freedom and sacrifice in the era of revolution </strong></div><p>Beyond romance, the play invites reflection. Is freedom the solitude the Kapre has long known in the forest, or is it another form of loneliness? Gabriela’s willingness to offer herself not just for her father, but for history and future generations, challenges the audience to consider what freedom demands, especially in a patriarchal era. </p><p>The long-awaited transformation of Gabriela into a fairy, allowing her love story with the Kapre to continue, is met with celebration and <em>kilig </em>from the crowd. It also underscores the creative look into the power of a woman’s courage in shaping both personal and national destinies. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177001338379805CJ Navato and Kyle Napuli.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>The final moments of the Kapre and Gabriela embrace joy and extravaganza, culminating in a celebratory ending that highlights love, bravery, and self-sacrifice. While the use of fireworks in the backdrop may feel historically unrealistic for the era, it reads as a stylistic choice for the play – one that amplifies the laughter, warmth, and fire felt throughout the theater. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177001342965813CJ Navato and Kyle Napuli.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p><em>Kislap at Fuego </em>proves it knows exactly what it wants to be. It does not aim for strict realism; instead, it leans into feeling, imagination, and relevance. By blending folklore, history, humor, and romance, the production captures the spark of love and revolution, leaving audiences entertained, reflective, and very much alive to the questions it raises. </p><p><em>Kislap at Fuego</em> is currently playing at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City from January 27 to February 7, 2026.</p>

<p>PETA’s Kislap at Fuego steps into the spotlight as a bold theatre experience. Anchored by strong performances, humor, and immersive design, the production proves that even a love story between a kapre and a country girl can speak powerfully to questions of freedom, sacrifice, and courage.</p>

PETA’s Kislap at Fuego steps into the spotlight as a bold theatre experience. Anchored by strong performances, humor, and immersive design, the production proves that even a love story between a kapre and a country girl can speak powerfully to questions of freedom, sacrifice, and courage.

Theatre Review: PETA's ‘Kislap at Fuego’ delivers a fiery tale of love and freedom in the era of revolution

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Theatre Review: PETA's ‘Kislap at Fuego’ delivers a fiery tale of love and freedom in the era of revolution

Alyana De Guzman,

Push Team

Published February 02, 2026 02:25 PM PHT

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Kislap at Fuego

CJ Navato

Felicity Kyle Napuli

Theatre

Theatre review

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