Tovic Salvador

Article (news)

Leah C. Salterio

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17587740905252-Composite (1) 17.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Christine Allado and Matt Blaker. <em>9 Works Theatrical/Facebook</em></span></span></span>MANILA — While &quot;The Bodyguard&quot; musical still pays homage to Whitney Houston’s unforgettable hits, director Robbie Guevara says the local staging is more than just a nostalgic trip. </div><p>By restoring the thriller elements of the 1992 film and weaving in contemporary touches like social media, the production promises a fresher, more layered experience that goes beyond the romance fans know from the West End version.</p><p>“I like to study the target market every time we do shows,” Guevara told ABS-CBN News. “That’s part of the research out there. For ‘The Bodyguard,’ the target market will be Gen X or older, obviously, those who know the music of Whitney who came out at that time. </p><p>&quot;However, the millennials are the bulk of the audience these days. Inevitably, we also want them to watch the show. We want to see how they will appreciate the show,” he said.</p><p>Guevara noted that the musical that played in London is more on the romantic side.</p><p>“But [scenographer] Mio Infante was pushing to put back the thriller-ness that is more or less equal to the romantic aspect of the show,” he said.</p><p>This new focus will make 9 Works Theatrical&#x27;s version of “The Bodyguard&quot; different from what premiered in the West End in 2010.</p><p>“Hopefully, that makes ‘The Bodyguard The Musical’ more interesting regardless of age, regardless of identifying with the songs per se,” Guevara said.</p><p>“Secondly, we really wanted to focus on the bodyguard, story-wise. At the end of the day, my priority is the story. When you say ‘The Bodyguard’ the movie, automatically, it’s Whitney and Kevin Costner is merely second although he plays the titular role.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758773423623520211074_1176047374570605_9065813672661114843_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>9 Works Theatrical/Facebook</em></span></span></span>“The title is ‘The Bodyguard,’ not ‘The Star’,” Guevara continued. “So I kind of shared my thesis that everybody in the show is a bodyguard. </div><p>There&#x27;s Sy Spector, played by Tim Yap, who is the PR manager of Rachel and whose job to protect her reputation. Tony Scibelli (Jasper Jimenez) is the original bodyguard before Frank Farmer gets hired. Her manager Bill Devaney (John Joven-Uy) is also Rachel’s protector somehow.</p><p>“Everybody is a bodyguard,” Guevara said. “The tragedy of the show happened and Rachel didn’t get a bodyguard and didn’t get protected. That’s the overall thesis. I like to say that this adds that dimension to the show.&quot;</p><p>Guevara admits that the movie -- and the musical -- can be &quot;very dated.&quot; The movie is already 30 years old, while the musical came out more than 10 years ago. In fact, the script only made mention once about Instagram.</p><p>“We found ways of modernizing the show without revising the script. We will make use of visuals that will really show social media today,&quot; he said, adding that even Rachel&#x27;s stalker is now high-tech. </p><p>“We are trying to make this more appealing and new-ish, despite the songs being classic. That’s the approach. It’s a given that the ones who will buy tickets are the ones who are familiar with the songs. We are hoping the younger generation will really appreciate this.”</p><p>Staging-wise, 9 Works&#x27; “Bodyguard” will not be as “bare” as the West End production. “Filipinos know how to make sets look realistic,” said Guevara. “At the same time, they are required to do the set semi-stylized. So some scenes are realistic, some are semi-stylized.&#x27;</p><p>In terms of attack, Guevara had to ask his West End leading man, Matt Blaker, who plays Frank Farmer, to do certain things and tweak some scenes a certain way.</p><p>“Although he didn’t overly resist, I would explain that the Filipinos will like it,” Guevara said. “I always remind him that the market, 99 percent or majority, will be Filipinos. I mentioned to him that we are very hard to please. We’re lucky that Matt is very open. This is one musical where the responsibilities of the performers are very defined.”</p><div><br/></div><div><em>“The Bodyguard The Musical” will be the inaugural show of Rockwell’s new 780-seater state-of-the-art Proscenium Theater. It opens on September 26 and runs until October 19 with 8 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.</em></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/7/18/west-end-star-christine-allado-to-star-in-ph-production-of-the-bodyguard-1024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">West End star Christine Allado to star in PH production of &#x27;The Bodyguard&#x27;</a></div>

<p>While "The Bodyguard" musical still pays homage to Whitney Houston’s unforgettable hits, director Robbie Guevara says the local staging is more than just a nostalgic trip.</p>

While "The Bodyguard" musical still pays homage to Whitney Houston’s unforgettable hits, director Robbie Guevara says the local staging is more than just a nostalgic trip.

‘The Bodyguard' musical promises new thrills, modern twists to classic love story

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‘The Bodyguard' musical promises new thrills, modern twists to classic love story

Leah C. Salterio

Published Sep 25, 2025 12:33 PM PHT

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The Bodyguard The Musical

Robbie Guevara

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