Julia Christine Botin

Paolo Gumabao tries theater in sexy play ‘Walong Libong Piso’

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ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749425317347image3 (1).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA -- From television and movie sets, Paolo Gumabao has expanded on to theater with &quot;Walong Libong Piso,&quot; a new stage play directed by Dante Balboa and produced by BenTria Productions.</p><p>Gumabao, who has established himself in many Kapamilya projects such as &quot;Darna,&quot; &quot;Huwag Kang Mangamba,&quot; &quot;MMK,&quot; and &quot;Batang Quiapo,&quot; arrived at the press conference in a black sexy ensemble as an ode to his character Dante, which Balboa created based on his own life story, revealing certain harsh realities about being a &quot;Seiko&quot; baby.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749425360487image6.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/></div><div><br/></div><p>When asked about his preparations for the stage play, which will premiere in August, the actor answered, “Siyempre, since ikaw lang ‘yung kaisa-isang artista sa stage, kailangan mo maghanap ng ways para hindi magkaroon ng dead air. So, importante, lalo na mag-isa ka sa stage, every moment, every nuance, dapat maipakita mo, ma-express mo nang maayos sa audience. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-challenge is how to make it not boring for an hour and 30 minutes and how to play it in a way na captivating.”</p><p>He then discussed the significance of knowing the stage and the audience, stating that an actor should be able to express a message effectively on stage by practicing the blocking.</p><p>“‘Yung stage natin, pa-letter L ‘yan. So, andoon lagi sa isip mo dapat na, ‘Wait lang, andito ‘yung audience ko. Kailangan dito ko ibato ‘yung linya na ‘to at dapat ‘pag binato ‘yung linya na ‘to, kita ng lahat.’ So, ‘pag sa pelikula kasi, sa serye, hindi mo na iniisip ‘yung ganoon kasi ‘yung camera na ‘yung nag-a-adjust. Pero rito sa teatro, responsibilidad mo bilang aktor na i-cater ‘yung lahat ng nanonood. Kasi pantay-pantay lang nang binayad sa ticket. Sabi ni Direk Dante ‘yun,” he shared.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1749425373105image4 (1).jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, Balboa, the play&#x27;s director, explained the rest of the plot.</p><p>“It’s a psychological play that also touches on sexual disorders like hypersexual disorder. It’s not just a sexy drama. It’s a commentary on identity, morality, and survival,” he said.</p><p>As a new director, he assured the audience that the play would be worthwhile due to its concept, script, actors, and depth.</p><p>“I know my capabilities. I’m not doing this for fun. I’m an artist through and through. Acting, writing, directing — these aren’t hobbies. They’re part of my system, innate to me,” the director told the reporters. </p><p>He added, “May maiiwan sa audience na katanungan: sino ang nanloko, sino ang naloko, sino ang nang-isa, sino ang nakaisa? So, to top it all, ang moral lesson ng story is do not trust too much. Huwag tayong magtiwala basta-basta.”</p><p>“Walong Libong Piso” will also feature sexy actors Jhon Mark Marcia, Drei Arias, and Juan Paolo Calma.</p><p>Produced by Benjamin Austria, it will run from August 22 to 24 at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater). </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L5pOIRu90hQ?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HTo2IBKRCDM?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>From television and movie sets, Paolo Gumabao has expanded onto theater with 'Walong Libong Piso,' a new stage play directed by Dante Balboa and produced by BenTria Productions.</p>

From television and movie sets, Paolo Gumabao has expanded onto theater with 'Walong Libong Piso,' a new stage play directed by Dante Balboa and produced by BenTria Productions.

Paolo Gumabao tries theater in sexy play ‘Walong Libong Piso’

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Paolo Gumabao tries theater in sexy play ‘Walong Libong Piso’

ABS-CBN News,

Text and photos by Josh Mercado

Published Jun 09, 2025 12:19 PM PHT

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