Ricky Lee’s ‘Para Kay B’ to be Adapted for the Stage in March 2025
Produced by LA Production House and Fire & Ice Live, National Artist Ricky Lee’s bestselling novel, Para Kay B, is set for a theatrical adaptation this March 14 to 30, 2025 at the Doreen Black Box Theater, Ateneo de Manila University.
Though originally published in 2008, Para Kay B remains one of Lee’s bestsellers, alongside Trip to Quiapo. Lee says, “Talo niya maski iyung mga bagong libro ko. I suppose iyung mga nagbabasa, gusto nilang nasasaktan. Sa pag-ibig, kapag sobrang happy, hindi sila natutuwa eh. Parang lahat sila may mga hugot; bubog sa loob. Kaya kung mas masakit at mahapdi iyung kuwento ng pag-ibig, I think mas dala dala nila sa loob nila.”
Para Kay B revolves around Lucas, a writer who believes in a controversial theory: in every five people who fall in love, only one will find happiness. To explore this idea, he writes five love stories, each revealing different facets of love, loss, and longing—yet all ultimately reflecting his unresolved feelings for Bessie, also known as B.
Book to Stage Evolution
Playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc began working on the adaptation as early as 2011. Originally written for an acting class at UPLB, the script has undergone numerous revisions over the years. Deldoc recalls, “Sinulat ko iyung script highlighting iyung love stories lang, hindi iyung buong novel kasi for acting class lang siya. Sobrang fortunate namin na nagpunta si Sir Ricky doon sa show at tuwang-tuwa siya sa naging output.”
In 2018, Deldoc revisited the play and expanded the script to include all six chapters, as part of the entry for the Manila and Laguna-based theater group Tabsing Kolektib’s participation in the BGC Arts Center Festival. For its 2025 staging, Lee challenged Deldoc to refine the adaptation further, with a focus on the play’s deeper intention: to serve as a tribute to writers.
“It’s about love, but actually in the end, it’s a tribute to writing and to writers,” Lee explains. “It’s about how writers write, how stories evolve, just using love stories. And ang hirap i-blend ‘nun. And you have five stories in one play. Hindi siya linear, so mahirap talaga siyang isulat.”
When asked if Lucas is autobiographical, Lee reveals, “Iyung buhay ni Lucas as a character iyung buhay ko rin. Namatay iyung parents nang maaga, sinasabi ng auntie na nag-ampon na hindi ka makapagsulat, lumayas, naamoy ang kahirapan sa Maynila, naging messenger, etc. All the way, buhay ko until na-meet si Bessie. Fictional na iyung portion na iyun. But before Bessie, halos lahat exact.”
For Modern Times
Deldoc also notes that the script has been updated for the 2025 audience but assures that the adaptation remains true to the novel, both in content and form. “…almost two decades na iyung dumaan, so iyung mga mahi-hit na issues ‘nung novel, like gender issues, even politics, language, kung paano ginagamit ng writer iyung language ay kailangang up-to-date din. Kay sir din mismo nanggaling iyung paalala na iyun, na maging maingat tayo, i-update natin iyung kailangang i-update, i-consult iyung mga actors, offensive ba ‘to, katanggap-tanggap pa ba ‘to.”
Lee hopes that audiences will recognize how difficult, complex, and deeply personal the act of writing can be—just as Lucas experiences in Para Kay B. He also wants the play to open hearts, creating space for all kinds of individuals. ”…tao man o tauhan man, bakla man o tomboy man, nagkasala man o nagkamali, o nakulong man o hindi, totoong tao man o gaya rin sa Maldiaga na fantasy na lugar, na sana maging mas malaki ang puso nila para magkaespasyo para sa lahat ng klase ng tao dahil iyan, I think, ang pinakamahalaga ngayon– pagiging makatao, at hopefully, iyun iyung isang mensahe na mapararating ng play.”
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The cast features Nicco Manalo as Lucas, Ava Santos as Bessie, Liza Diño and Olive Nieto alternating as Ester, Matel Patayon and Sarah Garcia alternating as Sandra, Martha Comia as Irene, and Via Antonio and Yesh Burce alternating as Erica.
Joining them are Gold Aceron, AJ Benoza, Vincent Pajara, Esteban Mara, Kath Castillo, Gino Ramirez, Jay Gonzaga, Divine Aucina, and Aldo Vencilao.
Helming the production is director Yong Tapang Jr., with Nicco Manalo serving as assistant director (and dramaturg) alongside Raflesia Bravo. Joining them in the creative team are Raven Ong (costume designer), Hershee Tantiado (associate costume designer), Julia Pacificador (set designer), Army Dimaculangan (sound designer), and Joyce Garcia (video designer).
Tickets are priced at P2,500 and P2,000, which are available through Ticket2Me.
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