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Alex Diaz, Nacho Tambunting

Jude Cartalaba

<p>In The Sandbox Collective’s opening production for its 2026 theater season, Alex Diaz and Nacho Tambunting take turns in playing Melchior Gabor, the intellectually defiant student at the center of &quot;Spring Awakening&quot; — a role that challenges authority, questions silence, and mirrors the actors’ own coming-of-age reflections.</p><p>The coming-of-age rock musical with music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater and set in late 19th-century Germany, tells the story of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of adolescent sexuality, </p><p>Diaz and Tambunting took time to express their thoughts about the musical, the issues presented, and how they view it as individuals.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Remembering their younger selves</strong></div><p>The two actors admitted that they see parts of Melchior’s traits in them when they were still at school.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:655px;display:block" width="655"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770077073605Full Body - Alex.png" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="655"/><span class="fr-inner">Alex Diaz. Handout</span></span></span></div><p>“As a schoolboy, I’d describe myself as somewhat rebellious, opinionated, and very much a dreamer. I often didn’t see the value in certain subjects, so I found myself daydreaming a lot. But underneath that, I was deeply curious. I was always asking why — why things were the way they were, why adults treated us the way they did, why certain rules existed without explanation,&quot; Diaz revealed.</p><p>“I’ve never been comfortable being told what to do unless it made sense to me, and that’s where I really relate to Melchior. His rebellion isn’t loud or reckless — it’s intellectual. It comes from questioning authority and refusing to accept ignorance,” he added.</p><p>For his part, Tambunting said, “I deeply identify with Melchior’s philosophical temperament — his curiosity, his hunger for understanding, and his instinct to question rather than blindly accept. What I admire most about him is his confidence in his own intellect. That’s something I had to grow into.&quot;</p><p>&quot;As a schoolboy, I wasn’t outwardly rebellious. I was observant, thoughtful, and often quietly questioning the world around me. Only in recent years have I begun advocating for myself more openly and speaking up to authority. My rebellion isn’t loud — it’s intentional. I don’t seek confrontation for its own sake, but I’ve learned that difficult conversations are often necessary for growth,” Tambunting recalled.</p><p>“Where we differ is that Melchior leads primarily with logic and the pursuit of knowledge, whereas I was more of a feeler growing up,&quot; Diaz added. </p><p>“I was driven by emotion and sensation, by wanting to feel my way through the world rather than understand it intellectually. In preparing for this role, I had to do the opposite of my instinct — quiet the emotional side of myself and lean into logic — because Melchior is someone who truly craves knowledge.”</p><p>Tambunting noted that he was &quot;fortunate to attend a very progressive high school where critical thinking was encouraged. We were taught not just what to think, but how to think, how to analyze, question, and arrive at our own conclusions. That foundation shaped me. Education is something no one can take away from you, and in that sense, knowledge truly is power.&quot;</p><p>“Like Melchior, I believe that questioning norms is essential. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s right. We’re gifted with intellect; it would be a disservice not to use it,” he said.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:655px;display:block" width="655"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770077095083Full Body - Nacho.png" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="655"/><span class="fr-inner">Nacho Tambunting. Handout</span></span></span></div><div><strong>Melchior’s open-mindedness</strong></div><p>In &quot;Spring Awakening,&quot; Melchior understands that the society in which he lives is hiding information from its youth. He takes after his mom, Fanny Gabor, who is vocal about her liberal views. Thus, being an atheist and intellectual, he understands sexual reproduction and rejects the idea that sex is shameful.</p><p>Tambunting agrees with his character&#x27;s views on sex education. “Absolutely. Young people deserve education about their bodies in every time period, not just ours. How can anyone make decisions in their best interest without access to accurate information?</p><p>“Sex is primal. Desire is human. There is nothing inherently shameful about either. When these topics are treated as taboo, ignorance fills the gap, and ignorance is where harm begins,&quot; he stressed.</p><p>“&#x27;Spring Awakening&#x27; shows us the devastating consequences of silence.&quot;:</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770077387543dblack 2026-01-08 173202.416.jpg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>“While these conversations can be uncomfortable, discomfort is a small price to pay for safety, autonomy, and informed choice. Education empowers young people; it doesn’t corrupt them,” he continued.</p><p>Diaz also gave his views on the matter. “Yes, I do believe young people today need to be educated about sex — responsibly and age-appropriately. I think the earlier that education happens, the more young people are armed with truth rather than fear or confusion.</p><p>“The more we hide conversations about sex in the shadows or treat them as taboo, the more they tend to resurface in unhealthy or unsafe ways. </p><p>“Education gives people language, boundaries, and agency. It doesn’t encourage recklessness — it encourages responsibility, respect, and awareness.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Thoughts on two controversial issues</strong></div><p>Given that the musical confronts adolescence, identity, and societal pressure — alongside issues of sex education — it also engages with two particularly controversial subjects: abortion and suicide.</p><p>Diaz and Tambunting shared their perspectives on both.</p><p>When it comes to abortion, Diaz said, “My stance is rooted in autonomy and compassion. I don’t believe I — or anyone else — should have authority over a woman’s body.</p><p>“Women are not a monolith, and every situation is different. The person carrying the pregnancy understands their body, their life, and their circumstances best.</p><p>“I believe women should have the right to choose, supported by access to education, healthcare, and safeguards — not judgment or control. In cases where abortion is a shared decision between partners, that conversation should happen together, but ultimately, bodily autonomy matters. Society should focus on creating systems that support women, not dictate morality to them.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770077413524dblack 2026-01-08 173216.667.jpg" style="width:655px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Tambunting takes the same stance on the issue, “I am pro-choice. I believe women should have agency over their own bodies and their own lives. While faith can be deeply meaningful on a personal level, I don’t believe institutional religion should dictate public policy — especially in a country like the Philippines, where religious influence is intertwined with colonial history.</p><p>“Filipinos can honor their faith while still questioning the values imposed by institutions.</p><p>“Progress requires that we allow space for autonomy, critical thought, and compassion rather than letting dogma limit our collective growth.”</p><p>One of the characters in the musical commits suicide, underscoring a mental health concern that remains urgent both worldwide and in the Philippines.</p><p>“Suicide is an incredibly sensitive and heartbreaking subject. The idea that someone could feel so isolated or overwhelmed that they see no other option speaks to a deeper failure in how we address mental health. Mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as physical health,&quot; Tambunting pointed out.</p><p>“I believe strongly in therapy and support systems. I’ve personally struggled with my own mental health and have found therapy to be a vital tool in understanding and processing those inner battles. At the core of both issues, abortion and suicide, is the need for empathy, education, and care rather than judgment.”</p><p>Diaz added, “I think we need to look beyond prevention alone and examine what leads people there in the first place. Suicidal ideation rarely appears out of nowhere — it’s often preceded by isolation, disconnection, and a lack of support.</p><p>“Whether it’s financial struggle, social pressure, family dynamics, or a breakdown of community, there’s usually a gradual descent where someone feels unseen or unheard. I believe we can do more by fostering stronger communities, being more attentive to the people around us, and creating safer spaces to talk openly about mental and emotional health.</p><p>“Understanding the conditions that lead to despair is just as important as responding once someone reaches a breaking point.”</p><div><br/></div><div><em>&quot;Spring Awakening&quot; is the inaugural show at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater, Rockwell, Makati. Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan directs, and Ejay Yatco as musical director. The musical will run from February 13 to March 22, and tickets are now available on Ticket2Me.</em></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2025/11/15/lea-salonga-s-son-nic-chien-sheena-belarmino-join-cast-of-sandbox-collective-s-spring-awakening-2100" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lea Salonga’s son Nic Chien, Sheena Belarmino join cast of Sandbox Collective’s &#x27;Spring Awakening&#x27;</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/8/24/sandbox-collective-to-open-2026-season-with-spring-awakening-2214" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sandbox Collective to open 2026 season with &#x27;Spring Awakening&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><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/nxftevukRQE?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Alex Diaz and Nacho Tambunting are stepping into the role of Melchior Gabor, the cerebral and questioning student at the heart of '<i>Spring Awakening'</i>, as The Sandbox Collective opens its 2026 theater season with the rock musical’s return to the local stage.</p>

Alex Diaz and Nacho Tambunting are stepping into the role of Melchior Gabor, the cerebral and questioning student at the heart of ' Spring Awakening' , as The Sandbox Collective opens its 2026 theater season with the rock musical’s return to the local stage.

Alex Diaz, Nacho Tambunting take on the intellectual rebel in ‘Spring Awakening’

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Alex Diaz, Nacho Tambunting take on the intellectual rebel in ‘Spring Awakening’

Jude Cartalaba

Published February 03, 2026 01:03 PM PHT

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Spring Awakening

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