Ejay Yatco

Whispers, Pulses, and Power: A Baptism of Fire at the Proscenium’s Black Box
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Mar 3, 2026

The season opens not with a whisper, but with a heartbeat. With its 2026 curtain-raiser, The Sandbox Collective delivers a charged staging of 'Spring Awakening'—the Tony Award–winning phenomenon that once jolted Broadway and now electrifies Makati City

The Sandbox Collective Expands Beyond the Proscenium
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Mar 1, 2026

This season, The Sandbox Collective is expanding the experience far beyond the proscenium—into speakeasies, classrooms, and vibrant community spaces—inviting both seasoned performers and curious newcomers to step into the spotlight.

PHOTOS: First Look at The Sandbox Collective's SPRING AWAKENING
by Oliver Oliveros - Feb 17, 2026

The Sandbox Collective launches its 2026 season with a raw, radical revival of the 2006 Tony Award-winning rock musical 'Spring Awakening.'

In Rehearsal: Peek at The Sandbox Collective's SPRING AWAKENING
by Oliver Oliveros - Feb 3, 2026

The Sandbox Collective officially kicks off its 2026 season with the Tony Award-winning rock musical 'Spring Awakening.'

Review: SHREK is a Triumph of Filipino Artistry, Skill, and Theatrical Vision
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Dec 13, 2025

Newport Performing Arts Theater has been transformed into a fantastical swamp teeming with color, laughter, and heart.

Lea Salonga's Son Nic Chien Joins Philippines SPRING AWAKENING Staging Cast
by Gillian Blum - Nov 16, 2025

The Sandbox Collective announced the cast for its production of Spring Awakening in the Philippines, including Lea Salonga's son Nic Chien as Moritz, with Omar Uddin as his alternate.

Photos: First Look at SHREK at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre
by Oliver Oliveros - Nov 12, 2025

Newport World Resorts’ production of 'Shrek the Musical,' based on the Dreamworks animated film, has officially launched with a sold-out opening weekend and delighted audiences on its official gala night.

SPRING AWAKENING Opens The Sandbox Collective's 2026 Season
by Oliver Oliveros - Aug 27, 2025

The Sandbox Collective, under the new artistic direction of Sab Jose-Gregorio, will launch its 2026 season with a highly anticipated production of the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical 'Spring Awakening,' opening in February 2026 at the Black Box in Rockwell Center, Makati City.

SIDE SHOW Opens this Weekend, July 26
by Oliver Oliveros - Jul 22, 2025

The cult Broadway musical 'Side Show' is set to open in Manila this week, with The Sandbox Collective presenting a brand-new staging of the 1997 original Broadway production and known for its poignant exploration of the lives of real-life conjoined twins and Vaudeville stars, Daisy and Violet Hilton.

PAROKYA NI EDGAR Musical Plays Last Two Weeks at Newport Performing Arts Theatre
by Oliver Oliveros - Jun 10, 2024

How can Newport World Resorts top its biggest original Pinoy musical hit, ''Ang Huling El Bimbo'? Work around the music catalog of another beloved OPM band, Parokya ni Edgar.

Hit Musical PINGKIAN Plays at GSIS Theatre this Friday, April 12
by Oliver Oliveros - Apr 9, 2024

Tanghalang Pilipino’s latest hit musical, “Pingkian: Isang Musikal,” a compelling narrative inspired by the 'Brains of the Katipunan' of the Philippine Revolution, Emilio Jacinto, will extend with another two performances at a new venue.

Parokya ni Edgar Musical to Feature All-Female Leads
by Oliver Oliveros - Dec 6, 2023

Newport World Resorts (NWR), through theatrical producer Full House Theater Company, has announced the all-female lead cast for its newest original Filipino musical, 'Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical.' Its principal cast includes Kyle Napuli Marynor Madamesila, Tex de Leon, and Natasha Cabrera.

Video: CAROUSEL Cast, Musical Director Take Opening Night Bows
by Oliver Oliveros - Nov 27, 2022

Repertory Philippines, one of the country’s pioneering theater companies, officially opened its 85th season with a reimagined production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic 'Carousel' on November 26.

VIDEO: Cast of NEXT TO NORMAL Perform Excerpts; Show Opens This Fri, 6 Mar
by Oliver Oliveros - Mar 2, 2020

IT'S GONNA BE GOOD! Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal, which features the book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, closes Ateneo Blue Repertory's (BlueREP) 28th theatrical season.

VIDEO: First Look at BlueREP's NEXT TO NORMAL
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2020

To cap off its 28th season, Ateneo Blue Repertory (BlueREP) presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Next to Normal. The show plays at the Gonzaga Fine Arts Theatre, Ateneo De Manila University, from 6-22 March 2020, at 8 p.m. on all dates except Sundays, with additional 3 p.m. shows on weekends.

PHOTOS: First Look at Promo Shots for BlueREP's NEXT TO NORMAL
by Oliver Oliveros - Feb 13, 2020

To cap off its 28th season, Ateneo Blue Repertory (BlueREP) proudly presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Next to Normal. The show plays at the Gonzaga Fine Arts Theatre, Ateneo De Manila University, from 6-22 March 2020, at 8 p.m. on all dates except Sundays, with additional 3 p.m. shows on weekends.

Photo Coverage: HIMALA: ISANG MUSIKAL Returns to Power Mac Center Spotlight; Show Runs Now Thru 20 Oct.
by Oliver Oliveros - Sep 28, 2019

The Sandbox Collective and 9 Works Theatrical are bringing back their highly acclaimed revival of Himala: Isang Musikal.

Video: 'Epilogue' to HIMALA: ISANG MUSIKAL; Show Runs Now Thru 20 Oct.
by Oliver Oliveros - Sep 21, 2019

The Sandbox Collective and 9 Works Theatrical are bringing back their highly acclaimed revival of Himala: Isang Musikal.

Photos: HIMALA: ISANG MUSIKAL In Rehearsal; Show Opens 20 Sept.
by Oliver Oliveros - Sep 11, 2019

The Sandbox Collective and 9 Works Theatrical are bringing back their highly acclaimed revival of Himala: Isang Musikal.

Photo Coverage: Monique Wilson, Arman Ferrer Lead MABINING MANDIRIGMA; Show Closes Sept. 1
by Oliver Oliveros - Aug 26, 2019

Probing the fusion of eclectic steampunk music elements, flip-top rap, and musical theater (Joed Balsamo, composer; Ejay Yatco, music director), side by side a rather traditional libretto in heavy Tagalog (Nicanor Tiongson, librettist) can be refreshing yet jarring. But Tanghalang Pilipino's original musical 'Mabining Mandirigma' is our story--a period of frustration and struggle that can't be ignored. It tells the Philippines' history (1898-1903), which, sadly, keeps repeating itself until today--unless we embrace change and move forward.