PRESS RELEASE
Los Baños, Laguna – The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) proudly announces the upcoming production of Brilyante: Ang Kabogerang Baklaan Musical, a vibrant and heartfelt queer musical play brought to life by the talented BA Communication Arts students and co-presented by the UPLB Department of Humanities, UPLB Gender Center, and UPLB Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA). Directed, produced, and musically arranged by Aldrin Bula, and written by Sam Albert Medina and Angelica Joy Camacho, this original musical explores themes of self-expression, identity, queer empowerment, and Catholic Christian devotion through a compelling and colorful narrative set in the contemporary urban landscape.
Starring stage actors Jessie Huyo-a (Harley), Meg Guiang (Happy), Rem Tanael (Gemma), and Ickzy Bael (Cheska), the musical tells the story of a young baklang kanal’s journey of self-discovery as they grapple with their local beauty pageant cancellation due to religious backlash. It asks—how do queer people break free from the shackles of internalized homophobia, is there space for a wholehearted Catholic Christian devotion that is unapologetically queer—and other such challenging questions, but through a comedy musical infused with the infectious energy that is the signature of the Filipino queerness. Brilyante spotlights the voices and stories that have long been the beating heart of Filipino popular culture, but remain to be marginalized in Philippine society: the baklang kanal.
Brilyante: Ang Kabogerang Baklaan Musical will be staged by UPLB ComArts students from March 13 to 15 at the DL Umali Hall. Image from the Brilyante Facebook page.
Set to be staged at the historic D.L. Umali Hall, this remarkable show invites audiences to experience a musical experience like no other. With set design by Roy Padrid, stage
management by Zeril Manaois, dramaturgy by John Patrick O. Bernabe and Bernie Planco, movement and choreography by Gabriel Nafura, Red Cortez, Shania Pajarillo, Jessie Huyo-a, and Ickzy Bael, costume and makeup design by Enzo Nadonga, graphic design by Jefferson Macaraig, lighting design by Ju Petalver-Rivera, sound design by Diane Inocencio, audio engineering by Ton Wagan and Elijah Torio, and technical direction by Marielle Apurado. The band is composed of Aldrin Bula and Isaiah Cordilla on keyboard, Carl Kristoffer Hugo on guitar, Marie Fraulein Rojas on bass guitar, Giulz Cantar on drums, and El Win Paglingayen and Matt Alarcon on the violins.
The production’s live music, show stopping performances, and lionhearted story will leave viewers with eyes shining, perhaps from tears or from laughter, likely both.
The play has five showdates:
● March 13, 7:00 PM
● March 14, 2:00 PM
● March 14, 7:00 PM
● March 15, 2:00 PM
● March 15, 7:00 PM
Brilyante, Ang Kabogerang Baklaan Musical is a celebration and a protest of the Filipino queer and women community towards a more inclusive society and for the passage of gender-responsive legislations such as the SOGIESC Equality Bill, and the creative team behind the show invites everyone to be part of this groundbreaking moment in UPLB’s cultural history.
Get your tickets now!
For media and ticket inquiries, please contact Sales Manager Dy Jimenez via email at
[email protected] or via text at 0967 436 3555.