'Pingkian: Isang Musikal" returns for Tanghalang Pilipino"s 39th season this September

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Following a sold-out debut and sweeping wins at the 2024 Aliw Awards—including Best Musical—Tanghalang Pilipino’s "Pingkian: Isang Musikal" is set to return to the stage this September for the company’s 39th season. 

The powerful production once again brings to life the brilliance and bravery of Emilio Jacinto, the young revolutionary known as the "Brains of the Katipunan."

The musical opens on September 12 and will run until October 12 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Pasay City. 

Written by Palanca Award-winner Juan Ekis, with music by Gawad Buhay-recognized composer Ejay Yatco and directed by theater stalwart Jenny Jamora, "Pingkian" delivers a riveting portrayal of Jacinto’s passion, ideals, and ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of Filipino freedom. The musical explores the complexities of youth, leadership, and nationhood in the final years of the Philippine Revolution and the early stages of the Philippine-American War.

At the heart of the musical is actor Vic Robinson, reprising his critically acclaimed role as Emilio Jacinto, also known by his nom de guerre “Pingkian”—a Tagalog term for a flint that sparks fire. Through a series of dreamlike flashbacks and fevered hallucinations, audiences witness Jacinto confront his past, his beliefs, and the ghosts of revolutionaries who shaped the nation's history.

Joining Robinson is a stellar ensemble: Gab Pangilinan as Catalina de Jesus and Florencio Reyes, Tex Ordoñez-De Leon as Josefa Dizon, Kakki Teodoro as Jose Rizal, and Paw Castillo as Andres Bonifacio, with Almond Bolante, Joshua Cadeliña, and Marco Viaña rounding out the principal cast. The ensemble also features standout performers from the Philippine theater scene, bringing dynamic energy and movement under the choreography of Jomelle Era.

Visually and sonically, the production is a feast. The design team includes Carlo Villafuerte Pagunaling (Production Design), D Cortezano (Lighting), GA Fallarme and JM Jimenez (Projection), and TJ Ramos (Sound). The technical ensemble, led by Kiefer Sison, ensures the seamless fusion of historical narrative and modern theatrical storytelling.

"Pingkian" stands out not only for its artistic excellence but also for its deep cultural resonance. The musical celebrates Jacinto’s intellect and revolutionary contributions, including his authorship of the Kartilya ng Katipunan—the seminal manifesto of the movement, which emphasized liberty, equality, and moral conduct. One of the youngest leaders in the Katipunan, Jacinto became a general at 17, shaping the ideological core of the revolution with pen and sword.

This revival aims to ignite a deeper connection with today’s audiences, especially younger generations, reminding them of the cost of freedom and the power of youth to shape history. It is a timely homage to a hero whose short but meaningful life continues to inspire patriotism and critical reflection on Filipino identity.

Tanghalang Pilipino’s "Pingkian: Isang Musikal" is more than just a historical retelling—it is a bold, urgent call to remember, resist, and reimagine the nation's path forward.

Theatergoers can secure their seats through TicketWorld and Ticket2Me.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News