‘Silver Lining Redux’ Explores the Impact and Ripple Effect of Choices
Rockitwell Studios and MusicArtes, Inc. are set to restage Silver Lining for eight performances only, running from November 8 to 10 and November 15 to 17 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza. The show originally debuted in October 2023 with a limited six-performance run.
Now titled Silver Lining Redux, co-producer Jack Teotico of Rockitwell Studios—who also serves as the composer and lyricist—reveals that this version will feature a tighter script with added depth. Ricky Davao, who plays Leo, joins the team as line producer for this run.
Silver Lining Redux traces the journey of three high school friends—Leo, Anton, and Raul—as they experience the highs and lows of youth, from soirees and “bakuran” moments to class parties and inter-school “rambols.” Their story continues as they navigate the turbulent era of Martial Law during their time at UP Diliman and eventually transition into adulthood, raising families while pursuing their lifelong dreams
The cast includes Jamie Wilson, alternating with Davao as Leo, Raul Montesa as Raul, Jake Macapagal as Anton, Albert Silos as Young Leo, Jay Cortez as Young Raul, Drei Sugay as Young Anton, Gina Respall as Josie, Sarah Sicam as Young Josie, Krystal Brimner as Julia, Don Anthony as Rico, Dippy Arceo as Dalai, Johnnie Moran as Mart, Raflesia Bravo as Agnes, and Moi Gealogo as Chito. The ensemble features Rodel Pingol II, Nayr De Luna, Sam Marasigan, Misha Fabian, and Nadia Tuviera.
The Evolution of Silver Lining
In this updated version, director Maribel Legarda explains that they aimed to humanize the story further by adding more context to the characters’ decisions. Liza Magtoto, who joins Joshua Lim So in writing the additional book and lyrics, shares, “Jack Teotico always asks, ‘What’s the silver lining?’ So we tried to look into the redemption of each character—the journey they had to go through to reach that place of hope, closure, or whatever it is they have to deal with, now that they’re older.”
Musical director and arranger Vince Lim, who also contributed additional music and lyrics, notes that most of the original songs were retained, though they were edited to fit the new script. He also mentions that new songs were added to enrich the relationships between the characters. One example is Sa Baybayin, a duet between Young Leo and Young Julia, which delves deeper into their love story.
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“And because we had already done it last year, we had the opportunity to improve on it a little bit more, whether it’s in instrumentation, or the ensemble singing, or the solos,” he adds.
Legarda also points out that with half of the cast being new, the show will have fresh interpretations. “That alone will make it different,” she says. “In a way, para kaming gumagawa ng bago kasi nag-tweak talaga kami. I won’t tell you na lang what happens, but I think we’ve also tried to clarify what happens to Julia more. Surprise na lang.”
The Weight of Choices Across Generations
The narrative explores how choices made during college continue to haunt the characters in the present. Legarda highlights the historical context of the show: “The context is history—whether it’s the 70s, or whether it’s 80s, or whether it’s current, we live in a context of history. What we’re trying to look at now in this redux is, from that human eye, how a person makes choices—whether in a larger, political sphere, or on a personal level. Every choice has an effect.”
For Legarda, the story centers on people owning their actions, whether they’re in the highest echelons of power or whether they’re normal, everyday people. “We have actions, and they have effects. Can we recognize them? Not only our successes, but also our mistakes, and apologize so that we can have forgiveness and justice.”
She concludes by saying, “Hopefully it’s a life-giving show, para hindi lang [puro] problema ang mundo. There’s also good about it. You have to meet the problems, but also find strength in what’s good in it.”
Also part of the creative team are PJ Rebullida (choreographer), Charles Yee (set designer),Tata Tuviera (costume designer), Meliton Roxas Jr. (lighting designer), Joyce Garcia (video projection designer), Arnold Jallores (sound engineer), and Jethro Nibaten (associate lighting designer).
Tickets are available through Ticket2Me. You can watch the cast perform excerpts in the video below.
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