Daven Tamayo

Musical 'Ambon, Ulan, Baha' returns to Metropolitan Theater in September

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<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/1787201463940CJ Navato-Thea Astley 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">CJ Navato and Thea Astley lead the cast of the 2026 restaging of &#x27;Ambon, Ulan, Baha.&#x27; <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>The environmental musical &quot;Ambon, Ulan, Baha&quot; is returning to the Metropolitan Theater (MET) in Manila, where it was staged more than three decades ago, bringing with it a message that remains relevant today.</p><p>The production written by multi-awarded playwright Frank G. Rivera, described as an &quot;ethno-pop-rock modern zarzuela,&quot; will have its homecoming at the MET on September 26 and 27.</p><p>&quot;Ambon, Ulan, Baha&quot; follows Nonoy and Inday, two young lovers whose dreams become intertwined with promises of progress brought by a logging concession in the fictional Barrio Magubat. </p><p>As the forests are gradually stripped of their trees, nature strikes back through devastating floods, forever changing the lives of the community&#x27;s residents.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787201519299Ambon Ulan Baha Official Poster_As of Aug 20.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>CJ Navato and Thea Astley headline the cast as Nonoy and Inday, respectively, alongside Anton Juan and Rendell Sanchez who portray the wealthy and influential Don Calixto and his son Anton.</p><p>The cast also features Nazer Salcedo, Onyl Torres, Shermaine Santiago, and Sweet Buchanan, alongside an ensemble that includes Beng Jordan, Jerome Ferguson, Joseph Sy, Jonathan Montes, Lian Silverio, Peachy Dumaya, and Phil Panganiban.</p><p>Completing the company is the Koro (Chorus), composed of members of Tanghalang Bagong Sibol, with lead dancers JM Ursula and Joch Bucacao.</p><p>Apart from Rivera serving as the playwright and principal composer, the production team also includes CJ Andaluz (Director), Pipo Cifra (2026 Musical Arrangement and Direction), Anthony Cruz (Choreography), Ohm David (Production Design), Raqs Regalado (Costume Design), Charlotte Despuez (Lighting Design), and Roman Cruz (Technical Direction).</p><p>The new staging also shines the spotlight on indigenous Filipino culture through traditional chants and musical elements, including the participation of Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasure) Rosie Godwino Sula, known for her mastery and preservation of T&#x27;boli epic chanting traditions.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787201544379Manlilikha ng Bayan Rosie Godwino Sula.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>In a statement, Andaluz reflected on the production&#x27;s continued relevance.</p><p>&quot;What once seemed like a cautionary tale has become our present reality. We are no longer standing at the water&#x27;s edge. As Filipinos, we have found ourselves increasingly immersed in floods, both literal and metaphorical, that continue to devastate our communities, our livelihoods, and our everyday lives,&quot; Andaluz said.</p><p>&quot;&#x27;Ambon, Ulan, Baha&#x27; reminds us that every act of progress carries a corresponding responsibility. When development is pursued without regard for ecological balance, even noble intentions can leave irreversible consequences,&quot; he added.</p><p>First written and staged as &quot;Kaingin&quot; in 1976, the work was expanded into the full-length zarzuela &quot;Ambon, Ulan, Baha&quot; in 1978.</p><p>The musical was staged at the MET in 1992 under Rivera&#x27;s helm as founder and artistic director of Teatro Metropolitano, the MET&#x27;s resident theater company. It eventually became the last production staged at the MET before the venue closed in 1996.</p><p>The 2026 production is presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Metropolitan Theater, and produced by Pixel Art Media Production Co.</p>

<p>The environmental musical 'Ambon, Ulan, Baha' is returning to the Metropolitan Theater in Manila, where it was staged more than three decades ago, bringing with it a message that remains relevant today.</p>

The environmental musical 'Ambon, Ulan, Baha' is returning to the Metropolitan Theater in Manila, where it was staged more than three decades ago, bringing with it a message that remains relevant today.