Newly Renovated Metropolitan Theater To Present ‘Lapulapu’ Musical

MANILA, Philippines — The newly renovated Metropolitan Theater will present the musical “Lapulapu, ang Datu ng Mactan,” its first after 25 years, on Sunday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.

The musical explores “how history — and what people choose to be the lessons from it — contribute to the cultural identity and to the strength of any nation.” It will focus on the Quincentennial-related events observed this year, which includes the Victory at Mactan in 1521, as told from Lapulapu’s perspective; the circumnavigation of the world, as told from Juan Sebastian Elcano’s point of view; and the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, as seen through the eyes of Reyna Juana. The presentation is part of the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, the Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors and the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month.

Written by the award-winning poet and lawyer Nicolas Pichay, the play will be directed by University of the Philippines professor Dexter Santos, who also directed the musical “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “Orosman at Zafira.”

Theater actor Arman Ferrer will play as Lapulapu. The cast include Andre Tiangco as Ferdinand Magellan; Red Nuestro as Rajah Humabon; Cara Barredo as Reyna Juana; Natasha Cabrera as Babaylan; Paw Castillo as Enrique de Malacca; Robert Barbers as Juan Sebastian de Elcano; Al Gatmaitan as Antonio Pigafetta; and Ivan Niccolo Nery as Papa Alexander XI and Padre Pedro de Valderrama.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and public historian Xiao Chua will also take part in the said production.

“Lapulapu, ang Datu ng Mactan” will be streamed on The Metropolitan Theater’s Facebook page.

The MET was closed in 1996.