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Theater review: A star is born in APO musical - Danny Javier's son Jobim

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Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/08/09/20180809-theater-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>&#x27;Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!&#x27; is about a a musically inclined college barkada in Manila 1975. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Globe Live! and 9 Works Theatrical promised a trip down memory lane and that’s exactly what theatergoers got with “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!,” which has been getting standing ovations since it opened last Friday at the Maybank Performing Arts Theatre in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.</p><p>Set in 1975 about a musically inclined college barkada hoping to make it big by joining a TV songwriting contest, “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” is inspired by and features songs from OPM icons APO Hiking Society. It’s the fourth OPM jukebox musical to have opened this year, following “Sa Wakas” (Sugarfree), “Rak of Aegis” (Aegis), and “Ang Huling El Bimbo” (Eraserheads), with the last two still playing to full houses at the PETA Theater Center and Resorts World Manila, respectively.</p><p>“Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” is pretty much the APO musical we have always imagined (with apologies to the 2012 star-studded movie “I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nApo sila”). Danny Javier, Jim Paredes and Buboy Garrovillo will forever be remembered for catchy pop songs about camaraderie and friendship (“Awit ng Barkada”), music (“Love is for Singing”), and of course love (“Nakapagtataka”) — which is what this musical is basically all about.</p><p>Writer and director Robbie Guevara admitted in interviews that the musical is based on stories told to him by Garrovillo years ago. It&#x27;s not clear what parts of the libretto is real and what&#x27;s not but with main characters named Jaime, Donnie and Bobby, plus friends Rick (Segreto?) and Butch (Dans?), “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” seems to suggest that this is an origin story. And this guessing game is an essential part of its appeal, particularly to music fans of a certain age. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/08/09/20180809-theater-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>&#x27;Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!&#x27; is inspired by the APO Hiking Society. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Guevara also made sure that the group’s name was never mentioned although he also provided many cues, both visual and aural, so audiences can make that connection. In this sense, “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” seems more in line with “Jersey Boys,” which tells the story about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, than the “Mamma Mia”-type of jukebox musical. </p><p>There were also nods to other Broadway shows like “Grease” and “Rent” (both staged previously by 9 Works) but these were well incorporated into the show that they felt more like Easter eggs to die-hard 9 Works fans, another piece of nostalgia, if you will, in a musical teeming with references to ‘70s pop culture from party lines and red pay phones to Love Bus and Vonnel. Even younger audiences would smile at the mention of a traffic-less EDSA or an undeveloped and “boring” Boracay.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/08/09/20180809-theater-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Remember those red pay phones? <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>The middle- to upper-class setting of “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” (the APO members studied at the Ateneo de Manila University) is also a perfect fit for 9 Works’ target demographic. Guevara has created a universal story about pursuing dreams that should appeal to passion-conscious millennials. </p><p>“Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” opens at the start of a school year and the announcement of a songwriting contest that excites the seven-member barkada of Rick, Ray, Butch, Sonny, Jaime, Donnie and Bobby. Rick (Mark Bautista) is the group’s designated lyricist, while Sonny (Alfritz Blanche) is in charge of the melody and Ray (Jon Philippe Go) does the vocal arrangement. </p><p>But while they try come up with the perfect song, other problems arise. Sonny’s girlfriend Jane is moving to the US, while Rick’s girlfriend Anna (Rita Daniela) is complaining that he doesn’t have time for her anymore. Butch (Jobim Javier) realizes first-hand that “mahirap magmahal ng syota ng iba,” while Ray’s parents disapprove of his interest in music. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/08/09/20180809-theater-4.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>One of the musical numbers in the show. <em>Jeeves de Veyra </em></figcaption></figure></div><p>These typical college problems are set against the backdrop of Martial Law, so curfews, the Metrocom and the Marcoses regularly come up in conversations. Guevara did include a scene showing state brutality but this didn’t overshadow the musical’s light tone, and even gave way to the musical’s emotional highlight, a dramatic reworking of the song “Pag-ibig.”</p><p>By putting the focus on this group and their creative journey, Guevara truly sets the stage for APO’s music, which is definitely the strongest point and the biggest come-on of this musical. “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” features the group&#x27;s best songs -- from early hits like &quot;Pumapatak na Naman ang Ulan&quot; to later songs like &quot;Saan Na Nga Ba.&quot; Guevarra also included not too familiar tracks like &quot;Suntok sa Buwan&quot; but also made some puzzling omissions like &quot;Anna&quot; (lyrics from that song made it to the dialogue, though). </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/08/09/20180809-theater-5.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>One of the musical numbers in the show. <em>Jeeves de Veyra </em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Bautista, who played Ferdinand Marcos in “Here Lies Love,” is the best known star in the cast, an energetic bunch of young men and women who capture the zeal and burgis affectations of the ‘70s upper-class. Not surprising, Bautista was given the show&#x27;s best ballads — “Di Na Natuto” and “Nakapagtataka” — which he delivered with pop star perfection. </p><p>Chorus veteran Blanche finally gets the spotlight to show off his pipes and charm. Although their couple story seemed stretched, Blanche and Marika Sasaki share a natural chemistry that makes you want to root for them. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/08/09/20180809-theater-6.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Alfritz Blanche and Marika Sasaki. <em>Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Interestingly, the musical focuses more on the characters who left the group and the remaining trio (Jef Flores, Jon Abella and Vyen Villanueva), while given the final bows, didn&#x27;t really leave a strong impression aside from the running gag about Jaime&#x27;s Amboy attempts at Tagalog. </p><p>But it feels right and probably providential that “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” will be remembered for the breakout performance of Jobim Javier, the son of APO member Danny Javier. His voice has a more soothing R&amp;B flavor and as the group’s resident playboy, he exudes a naughty, confident, vintage Rico J. Puno swag that’s perfect for the period. There’s an air of authenticity about his performance that allows him to tower over everyone else. While it remains to be seen if his is a case of perfect casting, Javier definitely has arrived and we can’t wait to see what’s to come for this next-generation APO.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/08/09/20180809-theater-7.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Jobim Javier in a musical number.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Design-wise, “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” captured the period flavor without going overboard. Set designer Joey Mendoza used groovy geometric patterns for the simple set, while Eric Pineda&#x27;s costumes had the right details and silhouettes and looked authentic instead of mere retro chic.</p><p>“Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” is undoubtedly a solid original work that could prove to be a game-changer for the local theater scene. That’s because 9 Works has long been staging popular Broadway musicals and now has finally come up with an original work that is just as entertaining — and hopefully as profitable. </p><p>“Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” still has 9 Works’ DNA all over it and its success could pave the way for more original work in the future — not just from Guevara and company but from other theater groups as well. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/08/09/20180809-theater-8.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>The cast at curtain call.<em> Jeeves de Veyra</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Eto Na! Musikal nAPO&quot; runs until August 26 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theatre, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.</p>

<p>It feels right and probably providential that “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” will be remembered for the breakout performance of Jobim Javier, the son of APO member Danny Javier. </p>

It feels right and probably providential that “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” will be remembered for the breakout performance of Jobim Javier, the son of APO member Danny Javier.

Theater review: A star is born in APO musical - Danny Javier's son Jobim

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Theater review: A star is born in APO musical - Danny Javier's son Jobim

Vladimir Bunoan,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 09, 2018 06:57 PM PHT

Read More:

theater review

9 Works Theatrical

Eto Na Musikal nAPO

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APO Hiking Society

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