Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) Rak of Aegis is a stage musical that shows Filipino fighting spirit in the midst of adversity set to the birit of pop rock band Aegis. Currently in its sixth season, Rak of Aegis has had over 200 shows, a testament to the popularity and the longevity of the classic songs of Aegis, a theme close to the Pinoy hearts, a witty script, and an ensemble of talented actors. The powerful performance of makes it worthy to be watched multiple times. I do not usually watch anything more than once but I have seen Rak of Aegis four times, and each show has been a delight to watch. Hindi nakakasawa at sintamis ng wine.
For my review of PETA’s Rak of Aegis, please read this.
Here are ten reasons why I love PETA’s Rak of Aegis:
- Tolits
Tolits the boatman with washboard abs is my favorite character in Rak of Aegis. I have watched Pepe Herrera, Jerald Napoles, and most recently, Joshua Bulot portray Tolits. I fell in love with Tolits the first time he uttered his hugot line in the original run. The bubble scene with Aileen in the rerun and onwards just killed me with kilig.
True Story: Months after the original run Rak of Aegis, my high school friends and I were in CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) to watch a show. A blurry vision of Pepe Herrera exited the side door of CCP, and this happened.
Me: Tolits! (waving frantically)
Pepe Herrera looked back and smiled.
Me: I love you!
Pepe Herrera laughed and continued to walk with his friends (some of whom performed in the show we just watched).
A few minutes later, I found myself in the same restaurant where Pepe Herrera and his friends were dining. Virg, the ever supportive friend, prodded me to go up to him and ask for a photo (I went home right after their Rak of Aegis show. This was pre-wanderingbakya.com Roselee. I did not ask to have photos of anyone except Rey Evangelista.), but I was too embarrassed.
Fast forward to Rak of Aegis rerun and the show I watched had Jerald Napoles (who I also lovelovelove) in it. The blog was already running, and I wrote about the play. I shared it on Facebook, and through Virg and by extension, Anj, Pepe Herrera saw my post and liked it. I made a comment telling him of our encounter in CCP, which ended with me saying something like, maybe you thought I was crazy. 🙂 He replied. I forgot what it was, but I remembered that I became a true and genuine Tolits fan at that instant. Now, I am immortalizing this story on my blog.
- Robert Seña
For the longest time, I have had a crush on Mr. Robert Seña. He was one of the reasons why I continued to watch PETA plays. Haha. Mr. Seña’s Mang Kiel was just too good for words. His air guitar scene was todo bigay and evoked power instead of cheesiness.
- Joel/Jewel
The only Joel/Jewel actor I can recall is Jimmy Marquez. Jimmy Marquez is like an angel who came down from heaven to spread happiness to the residents of the deplorable Barangay Venezia. Joel/Jewel, garbed in his colorful attires that sometimes match from head to toe, remains positive throughout the play and provides the shoulder to cry on for Kenny, an ear to listen to Kapitana Mary Jane, and the beshie to Aileen. On top of his propitious qualities, Joel/Jewel has the voices (yes, I wrote voices) to entertain the most discerning audience.
Joel/Jewel doble cara number is captivating. He switches between man and woman voices with ease. Towards the end of his solo number, he switches between two personas every other word and he does it perfectly! Bravo!
- The ensemble
These triple threat performers give another layer of depth to Rak of Aegis. They are the townsfolk, the basketball teammates, the flirty girl, the barkada, the co-workers, the mannequins, the bodyguards, and the reporters, among others. They split on wooden planks, sunbathe on stairs, and walk on stilts in water, without batting an eyelash or breaking a sweat. They switch from one role to the next, with costume changes in between, like whirlwinds. Such pros!
- The flood
If Sex and the City had New York as its fifth lady, Rak of Aegis has the knee-deep, dirt-infested, and ever-present murky water as one of its main characters. Its pivotal role is felt from the alpha to the omega moment of the play. And who knew that one could find love in knee-deep, dirt-infested, and ever-present murky water?
- The gimiks
I may be wrong, but I cannot recall anyone drinking the Baha Joss in the original run of Rak of Aegis. In the succeeding runs of the show, the Baha Joss, a bottle of floodwater that could cure illnesses, makes its appearance, and someone from the crowd is asked to drink the colored water. Also, a member of the audience is invited to join the cast and is encouraged to have a groupfie and jump shot with a couple of performers, on a seemingly precariously narrow wooden plank. Those invited gamely perform the acts and live to tell the tale. 🙂
- Mary Jane
Among the women characters, Mary Jane is the one I like the most. It must be her generosity and putting her barangay’s welfare over her own that make her so attractive to me. When Mary Jane and Kiel have their ex-lovers’ quarrel moments, I low-key ship them. I know that they will not get back together, but I cannot help cheering for Miss Isay Alvarez and Mr. Robert Seña. They are like Kate and William of PETA.
- Mang Kiel
One word. Guwapo.
- The announcements
Rak of Aegis’ musical director (and my favorite Kenny) Myke Salomon’s voice over to announce theater etiquettes is hilarious. I cannot remember the exact words, but it includes something like, eating, drinking and smoking are three rhyming words and those who dare sing along to Aegis songs like they know the lyrics better than the actors will be punished: ilulubog sa baha por tin sikands.
- The shoes!
Barangay Venezia’s main source of income is shoemaking. Mary Jane and Mang Kiel are the main drivers of this industry, but look again! Joel/Jewel’s shoes are also making a splash (not literally). Joel/Jewel’s multicolored tights and boots are showstoppers, so are his stileptos and sapatsinelas!
Book your Rak of Aegis tickets now!!!
Rak of Aegis runs for 2 hours and 20 minutes with a 10-minute interval between acts.
The sixth season of Rak of Aegis will rock our world and our sanity from June 20, 2018 to September 2, 2018.
*Rak of Aegis tickets. Ticket prices (may vary):
VIP – P2,000.00 (US $37.55)
Orchestra Center – P1,800.00 (US $33.80)
Orchestra Side – P1,500.00 (US $28.16)
Balcony Center – P1,600.00 (US $30.04)
Balcony Side – P900.00 (US $16.90)
*US $1.00 = P53.26
For enquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at (02) 725 – 6244 or Ticketworld at (02) 891 – 9999.
For more information, please visit http://petatheater.com/shows/rak-of-aegis-rerun/ or ticketworld.com.ph.