On October 4, BGYO members JL Toreliza, Akira Morishita, and BINI Jhoanna Robles discussed their journey from PPOP to ‘Tabing Ilog: The Musical.’
At the media conference for ‘Tabing Ilog: The Musical,’ which LionhearTV covered, BGYO JL recounted how he prepared for his role as Rovic in the upcoming musical of the beloved ’90s teleserye.
“Ako po, katulad po kay Vivoree, nanonood po ako ng mga clips na before kami, mag-audition pa lang, nanood na agad ako ng mga clips ng Tabing Ilog and ‘yun nga, na-feel ko ‘yung marami kang kaibigan.
“‘Yung parang dati lang na ang saya dati, hindi pa uso ‘yung cellphone. So naglalaro lang kami sa labas. Parang ‘yun ‘yung safe space mo talaga. So ‘yun ‘yung na-feel ko ng pinanood ko ‘yung mga clips ng Tabing Ilog. At ‘yun pinanood po namin noong 2019 ‘yung play po ng Tabing Ilog.”
BGYO Akira noted that he asked his Mom, a fan of the series, about the TV show to dive into his character formerly portrayed by John Lloyd Cruz.
“Nanood po kami ng 2019, ako naman po hindi ako nakanood (ng mga clips) pero nagpakwento po ako sa nanay ko. Kasi nanonood ‘yung nanay ko dati, ‘Naalala mo ‘yung tabing Ilog?’ ‘Ay, ano ‘yan, sila Kaye Abad, si John Lloyd, sila Baron.’
“So parang for me, napanood ng nanay ko dati, sinubaybayan niya, so parang ang sarap sa feeling na makasama ngayon sa cast po ng Tabing Ilog in a modern version kumbaga. So very happy at very blessed po na nabigyan ng ganitong klaseng project, so gagalingan namin, we will do our best po.”
BINI Jhoanna revealed the sacrifices she and the BGYO members made with their schedules to explore theater acting.
“Actually, kinausap na po kami ng aming mga mothers po and ni Direk Lauren po na may igi-give up po talaga kaming mga ganap ng BINI at BGYO po para maka-attend ng rehearsals. Kasi hindi po biro ‘yung rehearsals po pagdating sa theater, kailangan talaga ‘yung disiplina mo, on time ka palagi, bawal late. ‘Yung stamina mo dapat nandoon. So, ang hirap lang pagsabayin kasi magkasabay sila halos ng training po sa PPop, pero kinakaya pa naman po ngayon.”
‘Tabing Ilog: The Musical’ opens at PETA Theater starting November 10, 2023, and runs until December 17, 2023.
The theater production features Andi Abaya, Kiara Takahashi, Jordan Andrews, Kobie Brown, Anji Salvacion, BGYO’s Akira Morishita, JL Toreliza, BINI’s Jhoanna Robles, Sheena Belarmino, Vivoree, and Benedix Ramos.
Joining them are Omar Uddin, Chaye Mogg, Drei Sugay, Vino Mabalot, Earvin Estioco, Jude Matthew Servilla, Miah Canton, Teetin Villanueva, Neomi Gonzales, Lance Reblando, Red Nuestro, and Joann Co.
Theater patrons may purchase tickets online at ‘KTX.PH’ and through Justin Castillo at 09176373655 and email tabingilogthemusical@gmail.com for special rates.
