Vincent A. DeJesus’ New Musical ‘What We Don’t Say’ Sets December Staged Reading
Composer and playwright Vincent A. DeJesus, known for his work on Himala: Isang Musikal, Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal, Care Divas, Skin Deep, and Changing Partners, is presenting a staged reading of his new musical, What We Don’t Say, this December.
The musical follows a guarded writer whose breakout miniseries has finally been greenlit. As he begins to experience professional success, he finds himself navigating family responsibilities and unspoken romantic feelings for his best friend.
What We Don’t Say is a musical about ambition, family, love, sacrifice, and the price of being the strong one. Through songs that express feelings often left unspoken, it explores the challenges of being there for everyone while questioning who will offer that same support in return.
Developed through National Artist Ricky Lee’s scriptwriting workshop, the musical combines musical theater with elements of grunge rock, drawing inspiration from bands such as Temple of the Dog, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam.
The staged reading is directed by Rem Zamora, with a minimalist approach that emphasizes the characters’ emotions and vocal performances.
The cast features Kokoy De Santos, Esteban Mara, Vic Robinson, and Stella Cañete-Mendoza, alongside Nour Hooshmand, Yani Villarosa, Rendell Sanchez, Migs Almendras, Dyas Adarlo, Celine Lordan, and Andrey Shin.
DeJesus has been composing original Filipino musicals since 1985 and teaching musical theater since 1989. An alumnus of the UP College of Music, he established the Musical Theater elective class at Ateneo de Manila University in 2014.
He has received six Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards from eight nominations and is a two-time Palanca Memorial Award for Literature winner. In 2025, he was also recognized with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) SUDI National Music Award.
What We Don’t Say is produced by Astral 88 Productions and 901 Studios, following the film festival runs of Agapito and Lip Sync Assassin, and the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Bar Boys: After School.
The staged reading will take place on December 5 and 6, 2026, at Sinepop Cubao, Quezon City, with performances at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at ₱1,200 and are available through the group’s Google Form.
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