‘Pingkian’, ‘Gregoria Lakambini’, and ‘Mabining Mandirigma’ make up Tanghalang Pilipino’s 39th Season Lineup

‘Pingkian’, ‘Gregoria Lakambini’, and ‘Mabining Mandirigma’ make up Tanghalang Pilipino’s 39th Season Lineup

Tanghalang Pilipino has just revealed the productions that will be part of its 39th season lineup — Pingkian: Isang Musikal, Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical, and Mabining Mandirigma: A Steampunk Musical.

This season embraces the theme Ignite, celebrating stories that spark transformation. Through its productions, educational programs, and outreach projects, the company aims to sustain the flame ignited by the great minds of our nation’s heroes — Emilio Jacinto, Gregoria de Jesus, and Apolinario Mabini — who ignited revolutions of thought and action.

Pingkian: Isang Musikal, which debuted last year, is a full-length musical that follows the journey of Emilio Jacinto, the “Brains of the Katipunan” — a young revolutionary who navigates the complexities of leadership during the final years of the Philippine Revolution and the beginning of the Philippine-American War. The show is set to return to the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez this September, featuring both new and returning cast members.

Returning to the cast are Vic Robinson as the titular Pingkian/Emilio Jacinto, Gab Pangilinan as Catalina de Jesus/Florencio Reyes, Kakki Teodoro as Jose Rizal, Paw Castillo as Andres Bonifacio, Almond Bolante as Pio Valenzuela, Joshua Cadeliña as Lucio/Isyo, and Marco Viaña as Duktor. Joining the cast is Tex Ordoñez-De Leon as Josefa Dizon, a role previously played by Bituin Escalante.

Also returning to the ensemble are Roby Malubay, VJ Cortel, Paula Paguio, Roxy Aldiosa, Jam Binay, Laui Guico, EJ Pepito, Jonathan Tadioan, Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan, Mark Lorenz, and Sarah Monay. New to the ensemble are Heber O’Hara, Rey Correjado, Earvin Estioco, and Gelo Molina.

The musical is written by Juan Ekis, with music by Ejay Yatco, and direction by Jenny Jamora. Jomelle Era serves as choreographer, with Carlo Villafuerte Pagunaling as production designer, D Cortezano as lighting designer, GA Fallarme as projection designer, JM Jimenez as associate projection designer, and TJ Ramos as sound designer and sound engineer, with Jan Levi Sanchez as sound engineer for backing tracks. Kat Batara serves as assistant director and dramaturg, Kiefer Sison as technical director, and Rafa Sumilong as assistant lighting designer.

The show will run Fridays to Sundays, from September 12 to October 12, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.

Debuting this November is Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical, starring Marynor Madamesila in the titular role.

Told through the sound and energy of a P-pop girl group, the musical follows the journey of Gregoria de Jesus, from a spirited girl in Caloocan to the “Lakambini of the Katipunan,” standing beside Andres Bonifacio in both love and revolution. Oryang’s voice emerges with strength and clarity—once written in the margins of history, her story now leads the song.

The musical is written by Nicanor Tiongson and Eljay Castro Deldoc, with music by Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang, and arrangements by Flip Music. It is directed and choreographed by Delphine Buencamino, with Jan Matthew Almodovar serving as co-choreographer. Also part of the creative team are Mark Lorenz as set designer, Marco Viaña as costume designer, Earvin Estioco as lighting designer, JM Jimenez as projection designer, Sabrina Basilio as dramaturg, and D Cortezano as technical director.

Joining Madamesila in the cast as members of the ensemble are Sarah Monay, Heart Puyong, Anya Evangelista, Ynna Rafa, Sofia Sacaguing, and Murline Uddin.

The show will run Fridays to Sundays, from November 14 to December 14, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.

The season closes with the return of Mabining Mandirigma: A Steampunk Musical. First staged in 2015 with Delphine Buencamino as Apolinario Mabini, the role was later taken on by Liesl Batucan in 2016 and Monique Wilson in 2019. For its 10th anniversary staging, Shaira Opsimar takes on the titular role in what promises to be a bolder and more intimate staging.

This steampunk musical follows the life of Apolinario Mabini, who, through his intellect and principles, called on Filipinos to rise above class, region, and self-interest in order to build a nation.

Also featured in the cast are Arman Ferrer and David Ezra, returning to alternate as Emilio Aguinaldo. Tex Ordoñez-De Leon joins the company as Dionesia, along with the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company.

Mabining Mandirigma: A Steampunk Musical is written by Nicanor Tiongson, with music by Joed Balsamo and direction by Chris Millado. The creative team also includes Toym Imao as set designer, James Reyes as costume designer, and TJ Ramos as sound designer, co-arranger, and sound mixing engineer. Chino David and Emerzon Texon serve as co-arrangers, with Daniel Gregorio as associate costume designer.

The show will run Fridays to Sundays, from March 6 to 29, 2026, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.

Season passes worth P5,500 are now available for purchase through the company’s Google Form.