Jaehwa Bernardo

Article (news)

Musical 'Rizal 3000' puts a futuristic spin on Jose Rizal story

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784524610479Official Poster (1).jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="633" alt="Musical &#x27;Rizal 3000&#x27; puts a futuristic spin on Jose Rizal story"/>Poster for &#x27;Rizal 3000.&#x27; Handout</div>An upcoming musical is set to offer a futuristic take on the life and legacy of the country&#x27;s national hero, Jose Rizal.Presented by the PhilStagers Theatre Foundation, &quot;Rizal 3000&quot; will be staged at St. Scholastica&#x27;s College Manila on August 8 and 9.Written and directed by Vince Tañada, who also stars in the production, &quot;Rizal 3000&quot; is set in the year 3000, when the Philippines is ruled by an authoritarian regime that has outlawed history, effectively erasing Rizal from public memory.The musical centers on Iosephus, the country&#x27;s last surviving historian whose lifelong mission is to preserve Rizal&#x27;s memory. Meanwhile, his son, Franchesco, uncovers a hidden diary that chronicles Rizal&#x27;s life and ideals.&quot;Blending science fiction, historical drama, and original Filipino music, &#x27;Rizal 3000&#x27; explores themes of memory, truth, identity, freedom and sacrifice,&quot; PhilStagers said in a press statement.&quot;At a time when discussions surrounding truth, identity and the preservation of Philippine history remain increasingly relevant, the musical reminds audiences that remembering the past is not merely an act of nostalgia — it is an act of nation-building,&quot; it said.Tañada and actor Vance Larena alternate in the role of Iosephus, while James Ramada, Peter Parker Tañada and Tobby Nicanor share the role of Franchesco. John Arcenas, John Rey Rivas and Ken Intano, meanwhile, alternate as Jose Rizal.PhilStagers, which also aims to be a &quot;national mobile theater,&quot; said it also envisioned &quot;Rizal 3000&quot; as a touring production.

An upcoming musical is set to offer a futuristic take on the life and legacy of the country's national hero, Jose Rizal.

An upcoming musical is set to offer a futuristic take on the life and legacy of the country's national hero, Jose Rizal.