The actors of ‘Liwanag sa Dilim’ urge us to revisit the past to make sense of the present
We have a rich history. With how fast-paced life has become, along with the rise of disinformation and historical revisionism, we often forget the importance of looking back at our past to guide us in making a better future. Liwanag sa Dilim, a new original Filipino musical with book and direction by Robbie Guevara, features the nostalgic music of Rico Blanco to retell our history and remind us that we hold the key to our future.
The musical follows Elesi (played alternately by Anthony Rosaldo and Khalil Ramos), an orphan trying to discover the secrets of his past. The rest of the musical is best kept under wraps; while it’s a story we’ve known since childhood, it’s best enjoyed when uncovered along with Elesi.
As the musical approaches its final weekend, Young STAR sat down with seasoned theater performers Nicole Omillio, CJ Navato and Anthony Rosaldo to talk about Liwanag sa Dilim and how it impacts how we look at our past and future. Newcomers Lucylle Tan, Denzel Chang and Brianna Bunagan also share how their past has impacted their theatrical debut.
(NOTE: Contains spoilers for Liwanag sa Dilim.)
The leads bringing history to life
YOUNG STAR: What was the experience like, getting to tell a familiar story through the contemporary music of Rico Blanco?
NICOLE OMILLO: It’s amazing how stories and songs, even from completely different times, can come together so naturally, almost as if they were made for each other. There’s something magical about music. No matter the situation, it always seems to find a way to resonate with what you’re feeling or what the story is going through.
CJ NAVATO: Since the story has been told time and time again, I took it as a challenge to put my own refreshing take on Crisostomo Ibarra and how he was written for this play. It’s Rizal in the flesh: (he put) himself into a story, into a character, and I feel very honored to be chosen to play this role.
I couldn’t help but be amazed at how appropriate the songs of Rico Blanco were for telling the story. His songs were given such a different light in this play, but the story did not deviate; the songs helped tell the story more. His songs are filled with so much passion, patriotism and heart. That’s what helped me bring out this vulnerability, this humanity, this love for country and realness out of Crisostomo Ibarra whenever I’m onstage. That’s what we, theater actors, really ride on—that realness, it helps us relate to our audience. It makes everything worthwhile. It makes the acting much more passionate and fulfilling.
ANTHONY ROSALDO: The experience was truly fun and fulfilling. From workshopping the script to discovering the rhythm of the music arrangements, every step brought something new and exciting. Building the character was a journey in itself! But what made it even more special was getting to perform the songs of Rico Blanco. His music is a soundtrack to many of our lives, and having it as part of the show made everything feel deeply personal.
Has working on the musical helped shape how you see the role of history in helping us understand the present?
NICOLE: Working on the musical deepened my understanding of how history helps us make sense of the present. Noli Me Tangere reveals the roots of many issues we still face today, like corruption, inequality, and the ongoing fight for freedom. Our play was adapted in a way that modernizes the story by pairing it with Rico Blanco’s songs, which are raw and emotionally honest. His music brought those themes to life in a way that felt both real and urgent. It made me realize that history isn’t just something we read about; it’s something we live through, and through art and music, we’re able to connect with it on a deeper, more emotional level.
CJ: I’m a firm believer that history repeats itself. Unless we learn from the mistakes of the past, we are doomed to suffer the same consequences of our actions. This applies even to our individual lives; there are a lot of clues in our past. We, people of the present, are no different from the people of the past. They have experienced the same things that we are experiencing today, and it’s really important to look back.
ANTHONY: What struck me most was how the material spoke truth to power. Knowing the facts, understanding history, and standing by what has actually transpired hold so much weight today. It reminds us to stay vigilant, to seek truth, and to live by it.
What is the relevance of telling this story now, especially as we near our midterm elections?
NICOLE: History isn’t distant. It’s alive in our stories, our struggles, and even in the music we listen to. It made me reflect on how much of our present we could better understand if we really listened to the past.
CJ: The play talks about love, loss, and finding your true purpose. I think it’s the perfect time to be a part of the change, not just to our country, but to our lives—do something, to take control of our lives. That’s what’s really relevant: putting your hands on the wheel of your own life.
ANTHONY: Liwanag sa Dilim mirrors the lives of so many: those who fight for justice, those searching for clarity, and those simply hoping to find the light. It’s more than just a show. It’s a reflection of real people and real stories. That kind of storytelling matters.
Liwanag sa Dilim revolves around using the past to change the future. How do you think your past experiences molded your identity as an actor?
NICOLE: My past experiences have shaped me in ways I didn’t always realize until I started acting. Every struggle, every victory, every moment of doubt or growth, they all became part of the emotional toolkit I bring to each role. I see how my own journey—both the light and the dark—taught me empathy, resilience, and the importance of telling stories that matter. Acting became not just a craft, but a way of honoring everything I’ve been through and using it to connect more deeply with others.
CJ: I think my last two roles in particular, Popoy (from One More Chance: The Musical) and Crisostomo, really pushed me into examining what I went through to evoke emotions that the audience can relate to. I think there are no mistakes in life—we’re meant to go through what we need to go through to learn and grow as a person, and I think that’s what life has given me. Life has opened up my heart to telling the stories I want; it has given me opportunities to find out who I really am and show me what I can do. And now, I’m never gonna leave. I love theater and I love performing. That’s what life has shown me.
ANTHONY: This project reminded me of the value of staying grounded. As an actor, I’ve always believed that the best performances come from real experiences. I let those truths guide my choices onstage. And above all, I’ve learned that kindness and generosity remain an artist’s greatest strengths. I carry that with me in every role I take on.
The newcomers diving into theater’s waters
Congrats on your theatrical debut! Did working on this musical give you a glimpse of what your future will be like in theater?
LUCYLLE TAN: It made me realize how much I enjoy the hard work behind the scenes, the collaboration with other passionate artists, and the joy of telling meaningful stories onstage. I’m also very thankful to my co-actors, especially the veterans, because I learned so much from them throughout this production—essons and wisdom that I will carry with me moving forward. And of course, I’m very grateful to our director, Direk Robbie, for his guidance, trust and support. This experience made me even more excited for what’s ahead. I can’t wait to step into the shoes of different characters, and I feel even thirstier to learn, grow, and evolve as an artist.
DENZEL CHANG: Yes, it did. I know musicals will always hold a special place in my heart. Even though I spent most of my time in UP doing straight plays, I can feel myself slowly returning to the feeling that made me fall in love with theater in the first place. I truly hope the future shines brightly for me, both in musicals and straight plays. FINGERS CROSSED!
BRIANNA BUNAGAN: The experience was overall exciting, especially because this is my professional theater debut. Given that the story and the music were not only familiar, but iconic, I had the opportunity to be part of a reimagining—a twisted version of a familiar story and a different flavor in Rico Blanco’s songs so it really is such an honor and I’m grateful to have been part of bringing it to life on stage.
How do you think your past experiences molded your identity as an actor?
LUCYLLE: I believe everything I’ve been through—the struggles, the victories and the lessons—has shaped me into the actor I am today. Each experience has added depth to my understanding of characters and storytelling. Like Liwanag sa Dilim suggests, our past not only shapes our future, but it also allows us to better understand and connect with ourselves. Our real-life experiences—the emotions we’ve felt, the challenges we’ve faced—all become invaluable tools in building and portraying a character. Acting becomes more authentic and powerful when we draw from genuine feelings, whether they’ve been lived or deeply imagined.
DENZEL: It all began with a few school musicals back in high school. The little nerves before stepping onstage would always turn into a big wave of relief the moment I became someone else under the lights. It felt like skydiving: terrifying at first, but then incredibly freeing. In those moments, it filled a quiet emptiness I hadn’t even realized was there. That feeling made me certain this was something I wanted to chase for the long haul.
BRIANNA: Overall, everything that’s led me to where I am now career-wise has made me braver, and I think that in itself has helped me become a more versatile actor. That’s something I’ll always strive for. Though I still have a long way to go, I think I have come a long way from when I started.
When I was younger, it was my dream to be a performer. I always believed I had talent, but I felt held back by my shyness and stage fright, which I came to realize was from fear of rejection. To this day, that and self-doubt are still something I deal with. But through the years, I’ve learned to overcome these fears by treating every opportunity as a learning opportunity. Having this mindset has helped me chase my dreams fearlessly and actively work hard on my craft.
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9 Works Theatrical’s Liwanag sa Dilim will have their final shows this weekend, May 3 and 4 at RCBC Plaza, Makati. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me. For updates, follow @9workstheatrical on Instagram and Facebook.
