'Hanggang sa muli': Is this really the end of 'Sa Wakas'?

Totel V. de Jesus

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/05/29/sa-wakas-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Ebe Dancel (center) joins the cast and staff of &#x27;Sa Wakas&#x27; at curtain call during the musical&#x27;s closing show on Sunday. <em>Photo from the Facebook page of Sa Wakas</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- With a total of 105 shows, it’s goodbye for now for the hit musical “Sa Wakas,” which had its closing show last Sunday with composer Ebe Dancel and some cast members from its first two runs in attendance. </p><p>But if director and co-writer Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan had his way, it might have a fourth run but only in 2023 to mark its 10th anniversary. </p><p>“That’s what I want,” Pamintuan told ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview on Sunday before &quot;Sa Wakas&quot; ended its third and &quot;farewell&quot; run, which started on April 7. </p><p>The former Sugarfree front man composed all the songs that were arranged by Ejay Yatco for the original Pinoy rock musical that had its premiere back in April 2013. On Sunday night, Dancel profusely thanked Yatco, Pamintuan, and producer-creator Charissa Pammit and embraced the members of the cast and the production crew who were all called to the stage. To the delight of the full house, he also sang “Mariposa” and “Prom.”</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/05/29/sa-wakas-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Ebe Dancel hugs lead actor Victor Robinson III during the musical&#x27;s closing show on Sunday. <em>Photo from the Facebook page of Sa Wakas</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Intriguingly, he ended his speech with the phrase, “Hanggang sa muli,” sending speculations that there might just be a sequel to the story of Gabbi, Lexi and Topper. “Muli” is Dancel’s first single from his debut solo album “Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-Ibig” released in 2011 after Sugarfree disbanded. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Twl5kIDUHQ8?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="~//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="~//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Audience members were quick to guess if Topper, the lead character alternately played by Vic Robinson III and Pepe Herrera, would end up marrying his long-time fiancé Lexi, alternately played by Kyla Rivera-Soong and Cara Barredo or the woman who stole his heart, Gabbi, played by Justine Peña and Maronne Cruz. Or would he end up migrating to the US to join his Kuya?</p><div><strong>Makita silang muli</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, in their social media accounts, cast members continue to post memories from its first run in the summer of 2013 up to the present. Some gave hints of a new story being cooked up by the creative team.</p><p>Kyla Rivera-Soong, who has the sole honor of playing both Lexi and Gabi, the two female lead characters, wrote on Sunday afternoon: “Salamat sa inyo, my children Andrei and Charissa, and Ejay for hiring me then and now; for trusting me to do both Gabbi and Lexi; for making me part of this beautiful, unforgettable experience that is &#x27;Sa Wakas.&#x27; Look at what you have made, see how many hearts it has touched! Ilang tao ang nagsabi sa amin nung meet and greet na ‘Ito ang first play na napanood ko, ang ganda, congrats’—actually di ko mabilang, but THAT is what you have achieved with this work. I love you guys!”</p><p>She added: “And a big hug to everyone who has been involved in this show, since 2012 hanggang ngayon! Tapos kasi nitong gabing ito, wala na! Move on na. Ibang kwento naman. Thanks to everyone who watched this show. Para ito sa lahat ng naligaw o naliligaw, nalilito, naghahanap ng sarili; sa lahat ng nagkamali, nakasakit, nagpatawad, pinatawad; sa lahat ng naninindigan sa art nila, sa lahat ng nagmamahal.</p><p>“After tonight, Gabbi-Lexi: paalam na sa &#x27;yo.”</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/05/29/sa-wakas-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Victor Robinsons III and Kyla Rivera-Soong perform at the musical&#x27;s closing show on Sunday.<em> Photo from the Facebook page of Sa Wakas</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Yatco, the musical director who did all 59 shows without an alternate, posted a collage of images from the 2013, 2017 and present runs. He captioned it: “Paalam na sa yo. #sawakaslastshow Thank you to everyone who was part of this show since 2013.&quot;</p><p>Like Rivera-Soong, he has been part of the musical since its conceptualization in 2012.</p><p>Caisa Borromeo, who played Lexi in the 2013 and 2017 runs, posted on her Facebook wall: “Words cannot express how much I love this show and how grateful I am for this insanely beautiful journey which started 6 years ago. Every single person who was a part of putting this show together (in the 3 run-throughs it had) put their complete hearts and souls in it and now it’s time to end this chapter.</p><p>“Andrei, Charissa, Ejay and (costume designer) Jodinand (Aguillon) I love you all so much. Thank you for everything. Look what you’ve done!! Thank you to everyone who loved and supported Sa Wakas these past 5 years! Ebe, thank you. I feel so so lucky that I had the privilege so sing your gorgeous words and music so many times. My &#x27;Sa Wakas&#x27; loves, Break a leg on closing tonight!! I’ll be cheering for all of you in the audience! Ito na ang ating huling gabi... di na tayo bibitaw.”</p><p>Maronne Cruz, who played Gabbi in the 2017 and this year’s farewell runs, post on Monday morning, thanking Pamintuan, Yatco, assistant director and Aguillon and Pammit for “taking a chance on creating this beautiful show— and on me— for trusting me with Gabbi.”</p><p>“Thank you to the entire team for making this little-show-that-could soar to heights so unimaginable y’all gave this show nightly full houses, for three whole runs. You made a lot of Filipinos fall in love with the theater for the first time and that is something. Thank you to the audiences whose wholehearted support always surprised us and kept us going— both the new ones and the OGs that came back several times. Kami din hindi kami nagsawa sa show na ‘to ever. (Thirty) 30 shows for me but each one felt so different.</p><p>“…iba ang nagawa sa’kin ng ‘Sa Wakas’. Lalo na itong pangalawa kong pagganap kay Gabbi. Lumakas ang puso ko. Naghilom ang mga sugat at hinanakit. At huli sa lahat salamat (Ebe Dancel). Thank you for your music. I grew up with Sugarfree’s songs — I’m SO lucky I have them in my life again in this way. I love this show and I don’t know how the tides of my life would have turned without it. Here’s to the end of an era. Andito na tayo Sa Wakas. ‘Di ko na kayang mabuhay sa kahapon, kaya mula ngayon, magpapaalam na sa’yo...”</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/05/29/sa-wakas-4.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Victor Robinsons III and Justine Pena perform at the musical&#x27;s closing show on Sunday. <em>Photo from the Facebook page of Sa Wakas</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Robinson is the enduring Topper from year one up to the farewell run. He posted on Sunday: “Breaking up with a show that I loved for 5 years.”</p><p>He followed it up on Monday with another more heartfelt post: “Paalam na sa&#x27;yo. Salamat sa limang taon, ‘Sa Wakas’. Ang dami mong naituro sa akin. Mahal ko lahat ng taong naging bahagi ng paglalakbay na ito. Patuloy ang buhay at paglikha. Topper, signing off.”</p><p>Some critics in the audience felt the last show was one of Robinson’s best performances not only as Topper but as an actor. His alternate, popular TV-film comedian Pepe Herrera, did his final two shows on Saturday. </p><p>Like Robinson, Hans Dimayuga was part of “Sa Wakas” since 2013, playing Topper’s older brother, simply called Kuya. He posted on Sunday: “Tonight I’ll be taking my final bow as KUYA. 59 shows done as we wrap up our farewell run — 100+ including the 2013 and 2017 runs. Sepanx is real, man.”</p><p>As part of the ensemble, Dimayuga played all the shows without an alternate. </p><p>“Out of all the productions I’ve done this is the one closest to my heart. From the story where most of us can relate to, to the beautifully written Ebe Dancel songs, to the people involved in the production — you guys are one of the most beautiful spirits I’ve ever come across. It’s been an absolute pleasure to get to know you all and work with you. Mahal na mahal ko kayo.</p><p>“Sad to close this chapter of my life but excited to open a new one (posting my June gigs sched soon, check me out!). Thanks to everyone who watched and supported original Filipino material and OPM! Wild talaga.”</p><p>He ended his post with: “You can stop calling me Kuya now.”</p><div><strong>Stress-free farewell run</strong></div><p>For its farewell run, the initial plan was to stage 45 shows but due to more requests, Pammit added more, eventually totaling 59 shows. With 12 shows in its 2012 debut staging, 34 in 2017 re-run and 59 for the farewell run, “Sa Wakas” logged in a total of 105 sold-out shows.</p><p>Prior to the last show on Sunday, Pammit told ABS-CBN News it’s all worth it. “It was actually a stress-free run,” she said. </p><p>In her post on Monday morning, Pammit said, “This was the very first show I ventured into on my own. With no network or studio to back me up, only people who believed in my vision. Now almost 6 years later, we&#x27;ve finally closed &#x27;Sa Wakas&#x27; after over 100 shows in total. Surreal.”</p><p>“While I&#x27;ve said most of my thank you’s personally to the people who have been with me on this journey, I&#x27;d like to show my appreciation to the people behind the curtains who have never been credited officially but have been instrumental in making this show possible.</p><p>“My former partner in crime, Ronald Rillo, who has generously lent his company Culture Shock Productions as my vehicle to produce the very first run. It was our first home and we will always be grateful.To my old friend Cathy Guevara, who was not only our first PR manager, but my spirit animal who made me believe in myself as an artist. We dreamed a lot of theater dreams together and look where we are now. @goodmadness and @paoiekins for being the kind of friends who will pull me out of my rut, even after they have seen all sides of me, good and bad. You&#x27;re my proverbial cheerleaders and I don&#x27;t know if I could have pulled off this show without you.</p><p>“And to my friends and family who invested and took the risks of an independent production along with me. This is as much your show as it is mine.”</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/05/29/sa-wakas-5.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Ebe Dancel (center) thanks the audience at the musical&#x27;s closing show on Sunday &#x27;Hanggang sa muli,&#x27; he said. <em>Photo from the Facebook page of Sa Wakas </em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Like Dancel’s goodbye speech on Sunday, she ended her post with: “Hanggang sa Muli.”</p><p>In a direct message to this writer, Pamintuan said, “It feels good. It’s been a good 5 years developing this piece. And getting to what is now.”</p><p>Using the compositions of Dancel, the independently-produced “Sa Wakas” has created a cult following in the local theater community and a fan base all its own. Critics lauded it as a landmark, breakthrough production, which has become part of the history of Philippine theater.</p><p>As for the the musical&#x27;s 10th anniversary, Pammit said, “If people still clamor for it and it&#x27;s still relevant to our society by then, I’ll consider it. But for now, it&#x27;s really time to move on.”</p>

<p>With a total of 105 shows, it’s goodbye for now for the hit musical “Sa Wakas,” which had its closing show last Sunday with composer Ebe Dancel and some cast members from its first two runs in attendance. </p>

With a total of 105 shows, it’s goodbye for now for the hit musical “Sa Wakas,” which had its closing show last Sunday with composer Ebe Dancel and some cast members from its first two runs in attendance.

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'Hanggang sa muli': Is this really the end of 'Sa Wakas'?

'Hanggang sa muli': Is this really the end of 'Sa Wakas'?

Totel V. de Jesus

Published May 29, 2018 06:31 PM PHT

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Updated May 29, 2018 08:55 PM PHT

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Sa Wakas

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Muli

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