Adrian Lindayag, Ian Pangilinan cross over from Blue Rep to 9 Works' 'Rent'

Adrian Lindayag and Ian Pangilinan in 9 Works Theatrical's production of 'Rent.' Handout

MANILA -- Actors Adrian Lindayag and Ian Pangilinan once acted in the university-based theater company Blue Repertory of Ateneo de Manila University's production of "Rent" in 2018. Now, both found themselves reunited in the same musical, but this time in a professional staging of the same show by 9 Works Theatrical.

Lindayag was Angel, while Pangilinan was Roger back then. In the ongoing run of this rock musical by Jonathan Larson, Lindayag reprised his role as Angel, with Pangilinan as Mark this time.

The two narrated how they ended up with their roles.

"I auditioned with songs from The Script actually because [initially] Roger was the character I was being called back for," Pangilinan said. "So being cast as Mark was such a cool surprise to me.

"Mark as a character is more the goofy, funny friend archetype, which isn’t the usual role I get. I’m very excited to play around with the character and [really] find the human side to this goofy guy, as well as find the unique take I can give him."

Lindayag was at RCBC Plaza when he watched the closing of "Tick, Tick... Boom!"

"When 9 Works and their cast announced 'Rent' as their next prod, my jaw dropped because I am not only a huge fan of the show -- I have dreamt of playing Angel in 'Rent' once again [but on a bigger stage]. I went up to Robbie (Guevara), introduced myself, and told him I’d be his next Angel," he said.

He revealed he sang "Alone" by Heart and "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson during his auditions.

Understanding their characters

As Angel, Lindayag pointed out, "Doing this show with a different cast gives me a different and fresh understanding of my character (and the show as a whole) each time!

"And I love that. It keeps everything organic and new each time. I’ve always looked up to Angel, her strength, and her love that overflows. It has been the greatest honor to portray her."

He added that revisiting his character brought back so much. "Because the message of the show and the character remain relevant today. HIV is an even bigger epidemic, and yet we do not talk about it enough. This show will hopefully empower and educate the younger ones about sexual health, the struggles/realities of life, navigating relationships, choosing to live as an artist and so many more," Lindayag said.

"This time around, I’d like to believe that I carry with me more wisdom and understanding about life, love, and relationships. It has been six years. So much has happened and I carry all of those with me in this portrayal."

For his part, Pangilinan said: "The main thing that we discovered with all our characters throughout the rehearsal process is allowing them to [really] experience all the different emotions that they can.

"Oftentimes, when we think of characters, we think of archetypes, stereotypes, or boxes by which characters are supposed to behave. The goofy friend is always nice, the mean friend is always cruel, etc. But 'Rent' is ultimately a story about the imperfections that make humans human.

"So we allow all our characters to be what they need to be given whatever happens in the story and we don’t judge them for it. If they are hurting, they are allowed to be mean to each other, if the “villain” has moments of sympathy, let him."

Another character that resonates with Pangilinan is Collins, who is played by Garrett Bolden.

"I feel like in the same way he felt like Angel was on a timer, as I grow older, it feels like the reality of parents growing older becomes all the more real. Collins made it so that above all else, he valued the small moments of happiness he could share with friends and loved ones. In the limited time we have with parents, or anyone really, I kind of want to adopt the same mindset," he said.

From university-based to professional acting

From a university-based theater group, it is the first time for both Lindayag and Pangilinan to work with 9 Works Theatrical.

For Pangilinan, he found it very collaborative.

"We create the characters together and mold the story with each other. That way, it felt more organic when we show up on stage and go through the character journeys," he said.

Lindayag agreed: "I love the collaborative environment that we have. I love how we are all on the same page in creating this show together. It’s been home. We’ve built quite a family."

After years of acting for TV, film (his last one was with 2023 Metro Manila Film Fest entry "Becky and Badette"), and stage, Lindayag has something to share with aspiring actors.

"Communication and time management are keys," he said. "It’s not easy. It’s physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding but I am just so grateful that I get to do what I love so I really cannot complain!"

Prior to reprising Angel, Lindayag channeled his character as he walked amid the cold in New York City during one of his vacations there. "I can’t imagine going through winter without heat or proper clothes," he said.

"Also, how paying rent is still very much a big issue in New York (like everywhere) as it remains to be the world’s most expensive city to live in, and yet people, especially artists like me, still choose to live there despite the struggle.

"I also walked around the Lower East Side and Alphabet City a lot, imagining the characters. I walked around New York in my Angel costume too in the middle of winter, during the Christmas holidays!"

Pangilinan also could identify well with his character Mark. "I think the concept of Mark feeling like he films his friends to capture the moments he has left with them has helped me view things in a similar light. Work, especially in the entertainment industry, often gets suffocating," he said. "Mark reminds me that doing it all for the ones you love is worth it."

Apart from acting, his other passion is his dog and laughs hard after blurting it out.

"But really, it is my dog. She brings me happiness like no other. She brings me back to earth when life gets a little too much sometimes," he said.