Rody Vera

Review: INTO THE WOODS Weaves Timeless Tale in Philippine Setting
by Oliver Oliveros - Aug 20, 2025

Once upon a time, Stephen Sondheim's (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) 1986 musical 'Into the Woods' was written to appeal like a mashup of the Brothers Grimm's fairy tales—thus, the show's commercial allure. But we all knew Sondheim's creative mind was more complex than that; he dared to ask what happens after 'happily ever after.'

Video: Lea Salonga & Arielle Jacobs Lead INTO THE WOODS in Manila
by Joshua Wright - Aug 11, 2025

Get a first look at Theatre Group Asia's (TGA) first musical production, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre, Circuit Makati. It runs for a limited 24 performances only, and the run is completely sold out.

Photos: Lea Salonga, Arielle Jacobs, and More in Theatre Group Asia's INTO THE WOODS
by Oliver Oliveros - Aug 7, 2025

Billed as Theatre Group Asia's (TGA) first musical production, check out photos from Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's 'Into the Woods.' Learn more about the show here!

DELIA D. Announces Additional Performances
by Oliver Oliveros - Jun 4, 2025

Newport World Resorts’ (NWR) latest original Filipino musical, 'Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs by Jonathan Manalo,' adds performance dates: June 14, at 8 p.m., June 15, at 3 p.m., and June 28, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. (special encore shows).

NCCA, CCP to Honor Late National Artist Nora Aunor
by Oliver Oliveros - Apr 21, 2025

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) have set a necrological service for the late National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Nora Aunor. The event will happen at the Manila Metropolitan Theatre tomorrow, April 22, 2025, starting at 8:30 a.m.

Phi Palmos Leads DELIA D., A New Musical
by Oliver Oliveros - Jan 23, 2025

Newport World Resorts (NWR) premieres another original Filipino musical, 'Delia D,' featuring songs from Jonathan Manalo, songwriter, and music producer known for hit songs 'Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw,' 'Pagbigyang Muli,' and 'Pinoy Ako.'

Iza Calzado Stars in TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS
by Jude Cartalaba - Dec 5, 2024

TV film actress Iza Calzado is Sugar in the Philippine premiere of the play 'Tiny Beautiful Things,' produced by The Sandbox Collective, celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Elijah Canlas, Meryll Soriano Return to Theater in EMULSYON
by Oliver Oliveros - Oct 30, 2024

Arguably, two of the Philippines’ best TV-film actors, Elijah Canlas and Meryll Soriano, return to the stage in Apothecary Productions’ 'Emulyson.'

Alexa Ilacad, Khalil Ramos, and JC Santos are Nominees at 14th Gawad Buhay Awards
by Oliver Oliveros - Jun 17, 2024

The Philippine Legitimate Stage Artist Group has announced its nominees for the 14th Gawad Buhay Awards, an award-giving body for the performing arts. Only the productions staged by Philstage’s member companies from the past season are eligible for the nomination, chosen by an independent jury.

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.

Review: GOMBURZA's Fate Remains a Burning Protest
by Jude Cartalaba - Jan 31, 2024

Until Friday, February 2, films from different genres from the 49th annual Metro Manila Film Festival in the Philippines, will be screened during the inaugural Manila International Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard.

Exclusive: Cedrick Juan Clinches Biggest Role Yet
by Jude Cartalaba - Dec 21, 2023

'GomBurZa,' a film based on the lives of three Filipino priests deemed subversive during the Spanish colonial era, is the 'biggest project' for Cedrick Juan.

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 Excerpt: Gian Magdangal Sings 'If I Loved You' at the 13th Gawad Buhay Awards
by Oliver Oliveros - Apr 26, 2023

Gian Magdangal, actor and recording artist, won his second Gawad Buhay award--Male Lead Performance in a Musical--at the 13th Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards held April 25, 2023, at the PETA Theatre Center.

EXCLUSIVE PODCAST: KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad Sit Down with BroadwayWorld
by Oliver Oliveros - Apr 11, 2023

After that extended Holy Week break, the charming love team of KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad are back to starring in PETA’s post-pandemic first offering: the Gen Zers’ not-so-serious take on the classic zarzuela 'Walang Sugat,' via the musical comedy 'Walang Aray,' featuring the book and lyrics by Rody Vera and music by Vince Lim.

Video: KUNG PAANO NANALO SA KARERA SI ROSANG TABA Cast, Musicians Take Opening Weekend Bows
by Oliver Oliveros - Mar 27, 2023

Dean Francis Alfar’s short story for children, “How Rosang Taba Won a Race” (Kung Paano Nanalo si Rosang Taba sa Isang Karera), is now a one-act play with music, adapted by playwrights Rody Vera and Maynard Manansala, and produced by Dulaang UP.

Check Out Performance Photos from PETA's New Musical, WALANG ARAY
by Oliver Oliveros - Nov 29, 2022

Before media guests and prospective show investors, Philippine Educational Theater Association has just presented some photos from the company’s newest original musical comedy, 'Walang Aray,' a humorous, entertaining tribute to a classic favorite, Severino Reyes’ 19th-century zarzuela 'Walang Sugat.'

Video: PETA Welcomes KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad
by Oliver Oliveros - Nov 28, 2022

Philippine Educational Theater Association, which produced hit musicals 'Rak of Aegis' and 'Care Divas,' has officially welcomed young stars-singers KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad to its family. Estrada and Ilacad, both Star Magic contract artists, are set to lead PETA’s return to producing original Filipino musicals via 'Walang Aray,' a humorous and entertaining take on Severino Reyes’ 1898 zarzuela 'Walang Sugat.'

VIDEO: Dulaang UP Pays Tribute to Its Founder, Tony Mabesa
by Oliver Oliveros - Nov 7, 2022

Before the formal launch of Dulaang UP’s 45th season, comprised of “The Reconciliation Dinner,” a new one-act play by Floy Quintos, premiering on Nov. 18, and “Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba,” a stage adaptation by Maynard Manansala and Rody Vera, DUP paid tribute to its founding artistic director, the late Tony Mabesa, also National Artist for Theater.

Review: Uplifting, Harrowing Tales from Mindanao
by Oliver Oliveros - Oct 3, 2022

To say 'Anak Datu' is immensely personal and political is an understatement, and the uninitiated ticket buyer could find it rather deceitful at first. Pre-opening, TP’s marketers were masquerading the production as a play with music told in multi-universes than a multi-layered creative protest at the past Marcos Sr. regime.