By Dulcinea Zulueta
The newly renovated Metropolitan Theatre will be graced by a Lapulapu musical called Lapulapu, Datu ng Mactan this August 30.
Makeup by Kim Roy Opog (@kimroymakesart) | #HAIRBYMYCKE | Assisted by Sophia Esmiller (@sophia_esmiller)
The National Cultural Commission and Arts Chairperson Arsenio Lizaso selected Huling El Bimbo's Dexter Santos and Nicolas Puchay to be the artistic director and playwright of the production.
The NCCA partnered with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for this production as part of the National Quincentennial Commemoration.
The lead role goes to Arman Ferrer (Mabining Mandirigma, Binondo), a respected tenor and theatre actor.
Ferrer said the role is a challenge for him, both as an actor and a singer, as he has to carry a tune while standing almost half-naked on stage in the glare of the stage lights. With regular workouts (see his Instagram and TIKTOK!), he practises the high notes with gusto.
Ferrer will be opposed by Tarek El Tayech (Macbeth, BuyBust), a multi-platform actor who will play the role of Magellan.
Starring roles will be played by the following talented and respected actors: Nelsito Gomez, Randy Villarama, Red Nuestro, Cara Barredo, Natasha Cabrera, Teetin Villanueva, Shalee Madelaine Vicencio, Paw Castillo, Ivan Niccolo, Jourdan Bartolome, Mark Anthony Grantos, Francis Gatmaytan, John Paul Ortenero, Tim Cabrera, Louise Grace Meneses, Liway Gabo, Janine Arisola, Jan Lloyd Celecio, Marveen Lozano, and Kare Adea.
Due to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19, the production was originally scheduled to run on April 27, 2021 but was eventually rescheduled for August 30 and will air live on PTV 4 and on the NCCA and MET Facebook pages at 6pm on August 30.
