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Former MYX VJ Ton Vergel de Dios makes theater debut in ‘Si Faust’

Article (news)

Totel V. De Jesus

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764234777449585373569_1257539896393524_3050771633600172648_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Joseton Vergel de Dios as Faust in &#x27;Si Faust.&#x27; Arete/Facebook"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Joseton Vergel de Dios as Faust in &#x27;Si Faust.&#x27; <em>Arete/Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>Joseton Vergel de Dios, or Ton to friends, is playing the titular role in the much-talked about “Si Faust, after Goethe,” the rock opera using songs by Wolfgang now being staged at the Arete in Ateneo de Manila University and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2025/11/23/theater-review-si-faust-reimagines-goethe-with-wolfgang-s-score-1100">close observers said he nailed the role </a>as if he’s been doing theater all his young life. </p><p>“Si Faust” is co-written by Wolfgang vocalist-songwriter Basti Artadi and theater actor-director-playwright Nelsito Gomez , who also helms the musical.</p><p>“This is basically the first time I am acting in professional theater, a rock musical no less, and I am enjoying every minute of the experience,” Vergel de Dios told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>To think, he’s resigned to the “fate” that he would just be a regular guy maintaining a business, taking care of his family and singing occasionally for a rock band. </p><p>He’s done theater, attending summer workshops in Repertory Philippines from eight to 13 years old. The only lead character he remembered doing was playing Jack in “Jack and the Beanstalk”. </p><p>“That was for Rep’s summer workshop. Other plays and musicals I did were montage, not the whole productions that Rep staged in those years,” he said. </p><p>“My mom paid for me to be on those shows,” he added, laughing. “Even in school, I’ve never done theater. I never had the chance though I had a lot of friends back then who were into theater.”</p><p>He studied at Ateneo de Manila University, from prep to college, graduating with a communications degree. “It’s the easiest course for me because it has few math subjects. Isang taon lang ang math, muntik pa akong ma-kick-out,” he said, laughing again. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764234918770586395281_1260697769411070_2150394079445925340_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Joseton Vergel de Dios and Maita Ponce in &#x27;Si Faust.&#x27; Arete/Facebook"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Joseton Vergel de Dios and Maita Ponce in &#x27;Si Faust.&#x27; <em>Arete/Facebook</em></span></span></span></div><p>Asked why he didn’t audition for any school plays like those mounted by Dulaang Sibol, Ateneo BlueRep and Tanghalang Ateneo, he said, “I was focused in my studies and other extra-curricular activities. I was into football and sa pag-ba-banda.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>College bands</strong></div><p>He sang for two rock bands back in college. “I have this band called Hansom, a group my brothers and I formed back then. I still sing with them because I have no escape, they’re my siblings,” he said. </p><p>The second band is called Tonight We Sleep, which he formed with some friends. “I left the band in 2012 and up to these days, they still play,” he said.</p><p>“In both groups, we did originals. We played in bars and nearby venues in Ateneo. At the time, I live in the area, along Katipunan so it was easy for me.”</p><p>He is a rocker by heart and naturally, it follows he knows songs by Wolfgang. “Basti and (Wolfgang lead guitarist) Manuel Legarda are my idols. I have been seeing them perform since college. It’s amazing how nakikita mo lang dati sa stage and now I am singing Wolfgangs songs, something I never dreamt of,” Vergel de Dios said. </p><p>“Now only that, I collaborate a lot with Basti for this musical,” he added.</p><p>Prior to the opening of “Si Faust,” he said Artadi has been giving him pointers on the proper way to sing his lines. </p><p>“Even days before the opening, he sent me videos or recordings of this and that song, exercise drills for my voice and I’d study and apply them to my performance.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Former MYX VJs</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764235037412Ton Vergel de Dios (leftmost) when he was VJ Ton on MYX Channel, shown here with other VJs..jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Joseton Vergel de Dios (leftmost) when he was VJ Ton on MYX Channel, shown here with other VJs. Cherry Pineda"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Joseton Vergel de Dios (leftmost) when he was VJ Ton on MYX Channel, shown here with other VJs. <em>Cherry Pineda</em></span></span></span></div><p>Vergel de Dios has known Gomez since he was a VJ for MYX Music Channel in the early 2010s. Gomez was VJ Nel and he was VJ Ton. </p><p>“I was the one who replaced him. I can say, I took his job once, now he’s giving me work, despite me taking his job before,” Vergel De Dios, laughing, told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>“But, seriously, I auditioned for the role. I wasn’t handpicked though Nel called me up to audition. He just told me it’s for a musical using Wolfgang songs. I told him, well, I can’t sing like Basti but I can try.</p><p>“Then the day came and I saw ‘yung mga kasama ko sa audition, ang gagaling, mga leading men talaga. When I saw their caliber, nagulat talaga ako,” he said. </p><p>“Among those who auditioned, the ones I recognized, they’re full-time professional actors. They were really good. The audition was a scary experience for somebody like me who’ve never acted in professional theater. Probably, Nel wanted a fresh approach, a new flavor. Well, I think he knows I sing for a rock band,” he added.</p><p>During the audition, he sang “Heaven Spent” and “Sanctified.” </p><p>“I thought I did bad during the audition, at least not in the same level as those professional actors na kasabay ko,” he said.</p><p>“Kasi nga, my background ko all these years is working in a gym, all the hanging stuff, that’s what I know. My wife and I have a business, a sports and fitness center called Sparta Philippines in Mandaluyong City. I do that, besides singing with Hansom,” he added. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764235135072Ton Vergel de Dios&#x27; &#x27;day job&#x27; is managing the family-owend business, Sparta Philippines Gym. Photo courtesy of Ton Vergel de Dios.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Joseton Vergel de Dios&#x27; day job is managing the family-owned business, Sparta Philippines. Courtesy of Ton Vergel de Dios "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Joseton Vergel de Dios&#x27; day job is managing the family-owned business, Sparta Philippines. <em>Courtesy of Ton Vergel de Dios </em></span></span></span></div><p>Sparta PH, based on its Facebook page, has an artificial grass door indoor football pitch and a home-grown calisthenics academy.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Rock to musical theater</strong></div><p>For six months since getting the part, he trained with “Si Faust” musical director and sound designer Kabaitan Bautista. </p><p>“Though I’ve been a fan of Wolfgang and I’ve been singing my whole life, doing musical theater is very different so Kabaitan gave me drills, exercises. Siya talaga nakatulong sa akin. All the musical theater workshop lessons. But Basti also has been a big help,” Vergel De Dios said.  </p><p>“Because the vocal technique, the phasing and all that, they are all different, from rock to musical theater. I have to learn all that,” he said. </p><p>Asked if he plans to do more musical theater after “Si Faust,” he said, “If there’s an opportunity and the role is good, why not? If another rock opera, di ba? I am doing this for my soul. I am happy that I have a business to go back to. This experience is really to enrich my soul.”</p><p>There have been talks that Gomez will do more musicals and rock operas, especially with Arete, the sole producer of “Si Faust.”</p><p>“Let us see. I love Nel. He’s a genius. His vision is modern. I have my pure trust in him,” Vergel de Dios said. </p><div><br/></div><div><em>“Si Faust” runs at the Doreen Black Box theater until November 29, Saturday, with 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows.</em> <em></em><br/></div>

<p>Joseton Vergel de Dios, or Ton to friends, is playing the titular role in the much-talked about “Si Faust, after Goethe,” the rock opera using songs by Wolfgang now being staged at the Arete in Ateneo de Manila University.</p>

Joseton Vergel de Dios, or Ton to friends, is playing the titular role in the much-talked about “Si Faust, after Goethe,” the rock opera using songs by Wolfgang now being staged at the Arete in Ateneo de Manila University.