Bring In The "Feels" With MANHID The Pinoy Supehero Musical

We love superheroes, whatever their powers are we can't deny their presence. And they usually come in the most dark parts of history where hope is nowhere to be found. Ballet Philippines "MANHID The Pinoy Superhero Musical" brings the world of the Philippine society with the integration of superheroes. Originally played in the 90's back in University of the Philippines, it has now leveled up into a bigger stage with still all of the favorite songs paired with action-packed choreography .

Set in a world where the dictatorship still reign and protesters were all killed, the children of the revolution acquired various superpowers which also shaped their own individual characters. Named after Filipino epic characters like Lam-Ang, Bantugan, Allunsina,  Radia Indarapatra,  Gawigawen, Urduja, Lagrimas, Sarimanok, Akasi, Malyari, Gonongleda, and Rasagadang. Most of them are quite familiar but other are quite hard to find their epic (even with google). The struggle to be free remains to be suppressed by all the corruption and greed that continues and can even turn superheroes into villains.

When it was first played in UP,  it was created by Kanakan Balintagos, with musical collaborators Vincent de Jesus, Carina Evangelista, and the Eraserheads. And for this run, Radioactive Sago Project  joins in to bring music to the loved musical. Ballet Philippines brought beautiful  and kinetic choreography which blended classical ballet maneuvers with the modern setting and superhero theme.  With the musical  being political in nature, it also added to plot as socially-moving performance.

Leading the cast are veteran stage actors and performers Sandino Martin, Regina de Vera, Teetin Villanueva, Gold Villar, KL Dizon, Jean Judith Javier, Ronah Rostata, and  Mayen Estanero. Ballet Philippines dancers also take on the challenge of portraying the roles of comic book heroes and villains. Featured are Jean Marc Cordero, Katherine Trofeo, Richardson Yadao, Earl John Arisola, Cyril Aran Fallar, Emmanuelle Guillermo, Timothy Paul Cabrera, Rita Angela Winder, Denise Parungao, Kazier Policarpio, Ma. Celina Dofitas, Victor Maguad, and Erl Emmanuel Sorilla.

Also with the big changes in technology throughout the decades, use of projectors and lighting gave mystical touch to their superpowers. The plot maybe blurry at start but they finally make sense when it came to the act 2. I was amazed with the prowess of the characters to sing, dance, and act all of the same time, with some even doing complicated ballet routines.

Every character is unique and makes you wonder if this would be the world that we live in today, what will be our future be? It also brings a lot of "hugot" lines which many of can still relate aswe are just weeks fresh from valentines and probably a little revolutionary with EDSA Anniversary within the play dates. I heard there is also a graphic novel that came along with the souvenir program, now I feel geeky!

“MANHID: The Pinoy Superhero Musical” shows are on February 20-22, February 27-March 1, and March 6-8. For bulk reservations, show buys, and inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003. For tickets, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.