Mula sa Buwan Bids Farewell, Announces Final Extension
The 2024 restaging of Mula sa Buwan opened on August 16 with critics and audience members saying that it's the best version yet—and we agree. Director Mikko Angeles delivered on the production's promise to highlight the defiance in the narrative. After almost four weeks of sold-out shows, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative is proud to announce that Mula sa Buwan is having two additional shows on September 14, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati. The supposed last three shows (September 7 to 8) were already sold out as early as September 5.
Pat Valera, the show's co-creator and former director, previously announced that Mula sa Buwan is not expected to return to the theater in the near future. The all-original Filipino musical has been around for almost eight years now since it was mounted for a limited run at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater of Ateneo de Manila University in December 2016. This was followed by reruns in February 2017 at Irwin Theater, November 2018 at Areté Ateneo, and August and December 2022 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
2024 Restaging of Mula sa Buwan, directed by Mikko Angeles
The 2024 staging, which opened on August 16, is likely its last with mainstay Mula sa Buwan cast members Myke Salomon (as Christian in 2018; and as Cyrano in 2022 and 2024), Gab Pangilinan (as Roxane in 2018, 2022, and 2024), MC Dela Cruz (as Maximo in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022; and as Christian in 2022 and 2024), Phi Palmos (as Rosanna in 2018, 2022, and 2024), and Jillian Ita-as (as Gabriel in 2022 and 2024) taking their final bows.
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Reaching Dreams and Finding Home in Mula sa Buwan
Gab Pangilinan: Mula sa Buwan was a dream come true. It was the first original Filipino musical that gave me a chance to be a "lead." Roxane was my first big Filipina role. I have grown so much as an artist and as a person through Roxane, and through this musical. It’s opened doors for me, and it’s allowed little girls to dream bigger—of the kind of woman and artist they want to be. I’ve told others that I think Roxane walked so that Young Joy could fly. And I wouldn’t be the same person I am today without her.
Myke Salomon: Ang Mula sa Buwan ay tayo, bawat taong nasa loob ng tanghalan.
MC Dela Cruz: Mula sa Buwan is actually HOME for me kasi dito nagsimula ang journey ko as a theatre actor. 'Yung tipong kahit anong shows na ang nagawa ko, MSB pa rin ‘yung uuwian ko.
Phi Palmos: Mula sa Buwan is a milestone. It is a milestone in Philippine theater but more so in my career and advocacy. Mula sa Buwan will always be that show that a role traditionally played by a woman was given to a queer person and it made perfect sense. And I am so happy and proud that I found the courage to ask Pat [Valera] to audition for the role of Rosanna when on paper, it can’t happen. Opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community were pushed further and widened. A glass ceiling was shattered. Mula sa Buwan is one prime example of LGBTQIA+ representation. That during the war, we exist. Nandun kami at hinding-hindi mabubura.
Jillian Ita-as: Mula sa Buwan is just this familiar piece of hope that you keep coming back home to—whether you are an audience member, a production member, or a cast member—it’s just this timeless, classic story that people love coming back home to again, and again, and again.
Phi Palmos as Rosana
Leaving Behind Years' Worth of Telling Stories
Pangilinan: I will miss telling this story with the fools, dreamers, and misfits who love telling the story just as much. Mula sa Buwan means so much to so many, and I’m so proud to have been a small part of the big picture.
Salomon: Lahat ng magigiting na bumuo ng palabas na ito. At lahat ng tumawa, [umi]iyak at pumalakpak sa kwentong ito
Dela Cruz: Maliban sa mga cast members na nakatrabaho ko since 2016. I'll miss Maximo and Christian the most, because sila ang mga karakter na nagturo sa akin magbigay ng tiwala sa kakayahan ko bilang aktor.
Palmos: I will definitely miss how, almost effortlessly, when you are part of Mula sa Buwan, all of you become close. And not just close like there's a group here and there, but when you’re really together, everyone genuinely cares for each other. And I believe that’s the reason the effect of the musical is like that because our closeness and camaraderie indeed translate onstage. And I'm so glad that now that I'm leaving the moon, someone will experience that when the time comes, we are ready to go back to the moon.
Ita-as: Ano ba ang mamimiss ko, aside from the beautiful costumes, the set, and music? It’s really the people. I don’t use the word 'family' lightly, but honestly, everyone in Mula sa Buwan, whether it’s the 2022 or 2024 run, has always been like family to me. Para kaming mga classmate na buong school year magkasama, that’s really how deeply I feel for each and every one one of them, and it’s really the people and their company that I will miss the most.
Myke Salomon as Cyrano, Gab Pangilinan as Roxane
Myke Salomon as Cyrano, MC Dela Cruz as Christian
Final Message of Mula sa Buwan Cast to Their LaBuwans
Pangilinan: Sa iyo na may buhay pa—habangbuhay natin dalhin ang mga aral at mga salita na nadulot sa dulang ito. Sanlibong salamat sa puso, sa sakit, sa panahon, sa luha, sa pagmamahal. Tuloy lang ang ating pagkuwento at paglikha. Lagi’t lagi, pag-ibig ang mananaig. Hanggang sa muli. Paalam at salamat.
Salomon: Sana ay nakaukit na sa buhay ninyo ang liwanag ng Mula sa Buwan. Maaring balikan, maaring itahan, pero alam nating lahat na ito'y nakatupi sa loob ng ating puso, kupas man ang mga letra kahit may patak ng dugo at luha.
Dela Cruz: Salamat, kaibigan.
Palmos: SANLIBO AT ISANG SALAMAT HANGGANG SA WALANG HANGGANG BUKAS LABUWANS! Hindi sapat ang sanlibo sa laki, puspos, at nag-uumapaw ninyong pagmamahal sa akin, sa amin at sa lahat ng Kabataang Makulay. Lagi at lagi babaunin ko mula sa maliliit na lamukot ng aking puso, salamat. Kita-kita sa buwan!
Ita-as: At dahil it’s also going to be my last run in Mula sa Buwan, I’m feeling equal parts senti and sad but also special. And I have no words, just deep gratitude for this opportunity to be a part of Mula sa Buwan. Sa lahat ng LaBuwans (and inmates) who have been sending love our way, especially for Binibining Gabriel, and for both Tato and Gabriel, I have nothing to say except thank you, and sanlibong salamat, and kita-kita sa buwan for the very very last time!
Mula sa Buwan's last two shows are on September 14, 2024, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketworld.
Quotes courtesy of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative.
