Vlad Bunoan

Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban, and Vincent Pajara

Article (news)

Jude Cartalaba

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760524435611492909053_1118923486919218_6385978354420681177_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban and Vincent Pajara. IdeaFirst Company/Facebook"/>Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban and Vincent Pajara. IdeaFirst Company/FacebookWhen Jun Robles Lana’s &quot;Anino sa Likod ng Buwan&quot; returns to the stage this weekend, something remarkable happened behind the scenes: the understudies have stepped into the spotlight.</div>After supporting the original cast during the play’s first run earlier this year, Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban, and Vincent Pajara are now alternates for the lead roles of Joel, Emma, and Nardo in the acclaimed psychological drama.In theater, understudies often wait quietly in the wings, ready to step in only when needed. But this time, the wait is over. The trio — who previously performed the play only once during its first run — now get their full moment to explore, reimagine, and make these characters their own.Benosa, a singer who has recorded an album under Star Music, which includes the hit single &quot;Di Man Lang Nagpaalam,&quot; describes his character Joel as, “Ang laki na ng pagkakaiba.“Dati si Joel bilang sundalo, talagang walang ibang nais o hangad kundi ang imanipula ang dalawa na sina Emma at Nardo. He was a real soldier through and through,” he said.But in this upcoming rerun, according to him, Joel has evolved. “Joel was aggressive and too bad before, but this time, may puso siya. Mas malawak ang pupuntahan ng kuwento,&quot; Benosa said.Esteban, meanwhile, noted that her character Emma had &quot;so much hate in her.&quot;“I knew that Joel loved her, but hatred consumed her because a lot of people were involved. Even to the point of losing Nardo, her best friend,” she said.&quot;Anino sa Likod ng Buwan&quot; marked Esteban&#x27;s stage debut after being a Viva artist who has appeared in several movies on Vivamax like &quot;Kara Krus,&quot; &quot;Death by Desire,&quot; &quot;Star Dancer,&quot; &quot;Palipat-lipat, Papalit-palit,&quot; and &quot;Hiraya.&quot;Pajara is the more seasoned stage performer among the three. His stage credits include Dulaang UP&#x27;s &quot;Isang Panaginip na Fili,&quot; &quot;Ang Nawalang Kapatid,&quot; and &quot;Adarna&quot;; UP Dulaang Laboratoryo&#x27;s &quot;Lam-Ang&quot;; Virgin Labfest&#x27;s &quot;Macho Dancers&quot; and &quot;Wanted: Male Boarders&quot;; Black Box Productions&#x27;s &quot;Dekada &#x27;70&quot;; and the 9th Studio Creative Hub&#x27;s &quot;Once a Panahon&quot; and &quot;Collector&#x27; Item.&quot;“Bilang artistang lumalaban sa sistemang bulok at nagpapahirap, ang pag-unawa sa teksto ay naka-ungkat sa mga recent issues ng bansa kagaya ng flood control projects, Philhealth at pag-aaway ng ruling class,&quot; he said.“Mas naiintindihan ko ngayon kung gaano karahas, ka-walang hustisya ang pag-alis ng disenteng pamumuhay sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan dahil sa kasakiman at gutom sa kapangyarihan.” <div> </div><div>Stepping into the spotlight</div>Transitioning from understudies to alternates came with its own challenges.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1760524495923492191717_1119474540197446_7053724588707923430_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban and Vincent Pajara. IdeaFirst Company/Facebook"/>Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban and Vincent Pajara. IdeaFirst Company/FacebookFor Benosa, “Mas maraming layers. Mas malalim pero mas maganda ang pagsasalarawan ng kanyang katauhan. Kaya siya emotionally taxing.”</div>Esteban remembered how she had to temper her bad habits while performing.“First, di ko alam ilagay ng kamay ko. Heto lang ang kita. May mga mannerism,&quot; she said. “Yung boses ko galing lang sa leeg. Although naaral ko na naman siya. This time, galing na sa diaphragm.”For his part, Pajara said, “The biggest challenge is to be able to send the play&#x27;s message across each audience member&#x27;s heart and mind in every show, despite the fact that the play is not really a walk in the park.“It takes a lot of courage and internal energy to enter this world where there is no room for error, and one&#x27;s mistake may lead to a certain death. Intentional preparation is key!”Beyond the play’s intense drama and steamy scenes, violence is a central element that the actors had to confront as part of their roles. During the interview, they were asked whether such violence is truly necessary to drive reform or societal change — a question that seemed to catch both Benosa and Esteban off guard.Benosa paused, clearly gathering his thoughts before responding, while Esteban took a moment to reflect on the question.“It’s quite a tricky question. But I think violence is something that can’t be evaded when the situation calls for it,&quot; Benosa said. “Mahirap. Pero ang magpakita ng konting sindak or firmness is needed to stress a point is okay, perhaps. &#x27;Yun nga lang dapat, not out of control.”As she was raised in a Baptist household, violence is something unacceptable to Esteban. “Ipagpasa-Diyos ko na lang. Magkaiba kami ni Emma,” she said.As for Pajara said, “Para sa akin, maaaring gamitin ang karahasan kung may intensyong depensahan ang sarili o ang mamamayan. Kung ang gobyerno ay napakatagal nang ninanakawan ang mamamayan, tinatanggalan ng karapatan at disenteng pamumuhay at gumagamit mismo ng karahasan upang mangmanipula, marapat lang na lumaban ang mamamayan gamit ito.” <div> </div><div>&quot;Anino sa Likod ng Buwan&quot; returns on October 17 and runs until November 8 at the PETA Theater in Quezon City. Directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio and presented by IdeaFirst Live! Get tickets via <a href="https://ticket2me.net/AninoSaLikodNgBuwan">Ticket2Me</a>.  </div>

Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban, and Vincent Pajara take the lead in Jun Robles Lana’s acclaimed play, exploring complex characters and making the story their own onstage.

Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban, and Vincent Pajara take the lead in Jun Robles Lana’s acclaimed play, exploring complex characters and making the story their own onstage.

Understudies step into the spotlight as 'Anino sa Likod ng Buwan' returns

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Understudies step into the spotlight as 'Anino sa Likod ng Buwan' returns

Jude Cartalaba

Published Oct 15, 2025 06:41 PM PHT

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Anino sa Likod ng Buwan

Jun Robles Lana

The IdeaFirst Company

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