Stage Left Philippines Launches New YouTube Concert Series Featuring Homegrown Musicals

Stage Left Philippines Launches New YouTube Concert Series Featuring Homegrown Musicals

Stage Left Philippines has officially launched a new YouTube concert series that feels like a cross between Rappler Live Jam and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts—this time with a sole focus on Philippine musical theater. Instead of live instruments, the performances currently use minus-one tracks, with the cast of various Filipino musicals singing live.

The first installment spotlights three original Filipino musicals currently running or set to open within the next two months: PETA’s Walang Aray, Tanghalang Pilipino’s Pingkian: Isang Musikal, and Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s Bar Boys: The Musical.

Walang Aray, Pingkian: Isang Musikal, and Bar Boys: The Musical

The cast of Walang Aray—featuring Gio Gahol, Lance Reblando, Bene Manois, Rendell Sanchez, Gold Villar-Lim, Csairus Habla, Kiki Baento, Ayla Garcia, Yeyin De La Cruz, Otep Madriaga, and Jarred Jaicten—performed four numbers: Pangako ‘Yan, Papa, B.O.R.T.A., and the show’s finale. The digital concert is now available on Stage Left Philippines’ YouTube channel.

 

The Pingkian: Isang Musikal cast—featuring Vic Robinson, Gab Pangilinan, Paw Castillo, Paula Paguio, Almond Bolante, EJ Pepito, Mark Lorenz, Sarah Monay, Laui Guico, Jam Binay, Roby Malubay, and Joshua Cadelina—will also present four songs: Kartilya, Sapat ba ang Mga Salita, Ikaw ang Liwanag, and Pangarap Ko’y Kalayaan. It will be available on the channel starting September 21.

Rounding out the lineup, the cast of Bar Boys: The Musical—featuring Alex Diaz, Benedix Ramos, Jerom Canlas, Omar Uddin, and Gimbey dela Cruz—will perform three numbers: Ang Hirap Mangarap, Daan ng Pag-ibig, and Cross the Line. It will premiere on the channel starting October 5.

From Podcast to Digital Concerts

In a Facebook post on August 24, 2025, Stage Left Philippines announced:

“What started out as a dream, just wanting a place to learn more about the Philippine theater scene, we’ve now grown bigger and better! Please welcome, Stage Left Philippines – Your backstage pass to Philippine Theater! We’re cooking up something new and we can’t wait for you to watch it… LIVE!”

The project first launched in August 2018 as a podcast titled Stage Left Indios, later rebranded as Stage Left Podcast in 2025. Just yesterday, the podcast introduced a video format, marking its first step into visual media. Now, Esperanzate is further expanding the Stage Left brand into digital performances through this new YouTube venture. With this platform, Stage Left Philippines aims to spotlight the music and artistry of Filipino productions in a fresh, accessible way for both theater fans and newcomers.