MANILA -- Way before James Reid and Nadine Lustre made it their theme song for their latest movie “Never Not Love You,” Sugarfree’s “Prom” served as the bittersweet finale of the groundbreaking original musical “Sa Wakas,” which made its debut back in 2013 at the PETA Center.

Five years later, the wildly successful indie musical that brilliantly uses the songs of Ebe Dancel and Sugarfree continues to draw crowds in its third and farewell run at the Power Mac Center Spotlight at Circuit Makati. “Sa Wakas” has undeniably made a strong emotional connection with audiences that it has confidently set a lengthy run of nearly two months (it closes on May 27) with performances six days a week (except Mondays).

Its story of a love that goes astray is hardly new. Topper, a struggling artist-photographer, and Lexi, an ambitious resident doctor, are in a comfortable live-in relationship, when he meets Gabbie, a magazine editor-writer, falls in love with her and carries on an affair.

Its main gimmick is that this story is told backwards, like Broadway’s “The Last Five Years,” from end to the beginning of the end.

But as I noted in my review of its original run, its creators — led by young director and co-playwright Andrei Pamintuan — chose a setting that is not usually represented in local theater – that “urban playground of middle to upper middle-class single Pinoy twentysomethings who find beauty in the lit-up Makati skyline at dusk, attend art exhibits and watch John Lloyd Cruz movies, while staying focused on building a career.”

Perhaps this is why it resonates deeply with its predominantly millennial target and not just among regular theatergoers and loyal fans of the disbanded group. Five years later, it remains relatable, authentic and raw. And despite repeated viewings, it still hurts, bringing up personal regrets of what might have been.

SETTING THINGS RIGHT

During its second run last year, after persistent petitions to have it restaged, its creators, in an effort to keep it current, introduced some tweaks that unfortunately changed the complexion of “Sa Wakas.” The casting of Pepe Herrera, then coming off his sidekick role in “Ang Probinsyano,” somehow made these changes a bit more palatable, thanks to his self-deprecating humor. But just like its leads, something definitely was lost along the way and “Sa Wakas” ended up as just another story of infidelity.

The good news is that Pamintuan and company were able to fix these problems for this farewell run and ensure a fond legacy for this musical. For one, the new steel and concrete set designed by Ed Lacson Jr. with Edison bulbs immediately suggests the hipster cityscape inhabited by its characters that is at once stylish yet cold, intimate yet lonely.

While the tandem of Herrera and Repertory Philippines regular Cara Barredo still had that down-to-earth charm that worked well last year, the new pairing of original cast members Victor Robinson III and Kyla Rivera-Soong (who now plays Lexi) with Maronne Cruz as Gabbie is as good as it gets.

Cruz brings to Gabbie that same carefree and artsy spirit that earned her a Gawad Buhay nomination for last year’s production of “Hair.” With Cruz, Gabbie becomes more of a muse and less of a third-party temptress. She understands and inspires Topper as a photographer, and at the same time, he also helps her rediscover her own artistic interests.

Meanwhile, Rivera-Soong makes Lexi less intimidating yet determined, equally passionate about her dreams for her and Topper. (Musically, her powerful pipes are also an ideal match for Robinson's effortless pop tenor.)

MORE MATURE

Given this kind of dynamic, Topper’s struggle becomes more real and his choices less clear-cut.

Robinson truly grew into this role over the last five years. He originally brought to Topper an easygoing charm and a killer Dancel-like vocal quality that was perfect for the Sugarfree score. The voice still has that effortless quality but the singing now was more deeply felt. This was a more mature performance and Robinson was able to clearly delineate the differences between two relationships and make the audience understand and perhaps even empathize with the character's dilemma.

“Sa Wakas” isn’t just about a relationship that turns sour brought about by wrong choices but an adulting journey of three people trying to find their place in the urban jungle and the sacrifices they have to make. This ultimately is why it connects with a young audience, who are still on this trek or have been through a similar situation.

And as we muddle through the heartaches, there are the Sugarfree songs like “Burnout,” “Kuwarto” and “Kandila” that capture all the feels with stinging lyrics and hummable melodies to bring us comfort and hope like a wise old friend on a drunken Saturday night.

Finally we can move on... at least until the group's next musical "Muli."

“Sa Wakas” runs until May 27 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit, Makati.