Ang Huling El Bimbo Delivers a Punch

OJ Mariano, Gina Magdangal and Jon Santos in **Ang Huling El Bimbo**. Photo Courtesy of Resorts World Manila

Resorts World Manila together with its production outfit Full House Theater Company brings together a formidable team of actors and theatre experts in Ang Huling El Bimbo an original Pilipino musical written by Dingdong Novenario using the songs of one of the most iconic bands in the country Eraserheads.

Ang Huling El Bimbo tells the story of three friends Hector (Gian Magdangal), Emman (OJ Mariano) and Anthony (Jon Santos) who have drifted apart in adulthood until fate brought them back together to confront their past.

Playing their younger counterparts are Reb Atadero (Hector), Boo Gabunada (Emman) and Topper Fabregas (Anthony). Also in the cast are Tanya Manalang and Menchu Lauchengco Yulo as the young and older Joy respectively, Sheila Francisco as Tia Dely, Bibo Reyes who also plays the young Hector at certain performances, Jamie Wilson as Arturo Banlaoi, Yanah Laurel as Mylene and a cast of triple threats who are just a joy to watch.

There is no doubt the music of the Eraserheads composed of Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro defined the OPM sound of the 90’s with mega hit songs such as “Ligaya”, “Pare Ko”, “Magasin”, “Alapaap”, “Overdrive”, “With A Smile” and “Ang Huling El Bimbo”. The daunting task of creating and staging an original work was left in the hands of playwright Novenario, Director/Choreographer Dexter Santos and Musical Director Myke Salomon along with creative masters Gino Gonzales (Scenic Designer), Monino Duque Lighting Designer), GA Fallarme (Projections designer), Marlon Rivera (Costume Designer) and Lauchengco-Yulo (Associate Director).

The end result of this collaboration of creative minds and talent is a gripping tale of friendship, love, loss and redemption. A clear depiction of how society was back in the 90’s to the present time. What made me love this show even more was that it was unapologetically real.

Majority of the Eraserheads fans might expect to hear the songs in full but the beauty about this show is that they used parts of the songs to drive the narrative just like in the scene Tindahan Ni Aling Nena, which incorporated one of my favorite songs from the Eraserheads “Tikman” along with other songs from their songbook.

Tickets to Ang Huling El Bimbo are available at the RWM Box Office and ticketworld.com.

A special request! Please do not sing a long with the cast, I know it is hard no to but trust me you will enjoy the show even more when you let the story unravel before your eyes quietly.

Have fun at the theatre!