Ballet Philippines presents on its 45th Anniversary Season “Manhid: The Pinoy Superhero Musical”. Just in time for the EDSA People Power Anniversary which usually falls on the last week of February, the story is based on the premise of “What if the People Power failed?” Sounds like a dystopian musical to me.
Written and composed by Kanakan-Balintagos (a.ka. Aureus Solito to Cinemalaya fans) with Vincent de Jesus credited as co-composer, it is the story of a battle of two groups with superpowers – Maragtas and Tulisan ng Bayan. It was set in the present day so it’s up to you to guess any political figures alluded to upon seeing this work of art.
Maragtas is headed by tabloid writer Bantugan Buenaventura and activist Lam-Ang Panganiban. Bantugan’s gift of telepathy works whenever he is in a dreamy-like state. Lam-Ang, as her alter-ego name suggests, has the power to control the monsoon winds locally referred to as the Amihan and the Habagat.
| Maragtas Members | Alter-Egos |
| Bantugan Buenaventura | Tag-Inip |
| Lam-Ang Panganiban | Amihabagat |
| Allunsina Albano | Mura-Dugo |
| Lagrimas | Lunas-luha |
| Dilim | Itim-awit |
| Gawigawen Santos | Ang Babaylan |
| Sarimanok Cabalguinto | Bagwis-bighani |
| Urduja | Diwata ng Gabi |
Other members consist of Allunsina Albano who has the power to draw blood by screaming expletives; Urduja, goddess of the insects; Dilim whose vocal powers causes darkness; Lagrimas who can heal with the use of her tears; Gawigawen Santos, the resident shaman and Sarimanok Cabalguinto, a beautifully-winged man that can’t fly.
The Tulisan ng Bayan, on the other hand, was the band of misfits formed by the story’s main villain, Demonyita Mamalahim-ma, Minister of Humanity that is also in charge of proliferating the epidemic of “Kamanhiran” (Apathy). Their designated leader is General Apolaki Regalado, armed with a spear that induces fear on his opponents when struck.
| Tulisan ng Bayan | Alter-ego |
| Apolaki Regalado | Sibat-sindak |
| Radya Indarapatra Evangelista | Mata-balani |
| Malyari | Anino-nino |
| Gonongleda | Patay-pindot |
| Sidapa | Laway-lason |
| Rasagadang | Mangkukulam |
Other members of Tulisan ng Bayan consist of Radya Indarapatra Evangelista, gifted with the power to seduce by eyesight; Malyari, gifted with the power to control shadows and a skilled puppet master; Gonongleda, a psychic vampire that sucks the life force out of anyone she pokes; Sidapa, armed with poisoned darts and a blowgun and Rasagadang, the resident witch.
| Character | Cast | Alternate |
| Bantugan Buenaventura | Sandino Martin | Mark Anthony Grantos |
| Lam-Ang Panganiban | Regina de Vera | Teetin Villanueva |
| Allunsina Albano | Gold Villar | Kim Molina |
| Lagrimas | Ronah Rostata | |
| Dilim | Jean Judith Javier | |
| Gawigawen Santos | Victor Maguad | Erl Emmanuel Sorilla |
| Sarimanok Cabalguinto | Jean Marc Cordero | Kazier Policarpio |
| Urduja | KL Dizon | |
| Apolaki Regalado | Richardson Yadao | |
| Radya Indarapatra Evangelista | Fred Lo | Ricardo Magno |
| Malyari | Timothy Paul Cabrera | Earl John Arisola |
| Gonongleda | Denise Parungao | Katherine Trofeo |
| Sidapa | Cyril Aran Fallar | Emmanuele Guillermo |
| Rasagadang | Rita Angela Winder | Ma. Celina Dofitas |
| Demonyita Mamalahim-ma | Mayen Estanero |
Composers: Kanakan-Balintagos and Vincent de Jesus
Stage director: Paul Alexander Morales
Choreographers: Paul Alexander Morales and Alden Lugnasin
Music director: Francis de Veyra
Set designer: Zard Eguia
Costume designer: Victor Ursabia
Lighting designer: Roman Cruz
Live band: Radioactive Sago Project
“Manhid: The Pinoy Superhero Musical” will be staged on February 20, 21, 22, 27 and 28, 2015 and March 1, 6, 7 and 8, 2015 at the CCP Main Theater. You can buy your tickets at Ticket World by contacting them through landline or by logging into their official website. For further details, you may like their official Facebook page, Ballet Philippines, subscribe to their official YouTube page, BalletPH, and follow them on Twitter @BalletPH and Instagram @BalletPH.
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