Prophetic ethno pop rock zarzuela on floods and other disasters to surge onstage

It is indeed relevant that Frank G. Rivera’s zarzuela, “Ambon Ulan Baha” is restaged after three decades in the same venue at this time of catastrophes particularly typhoons, flash floods, landslides, glacier breakdown etc.

What are the lessons people should learn from the remounting of the play on September 26 and 27, 20026 at the Metropolitan Theater?

“What once seemed like a cautionary tale has become our present reality. We are no longer standing at the water’s edge. As Filipinos, we have found ourselves increasingly immersed in floods, both literal and metaphorical, that continue to devastate our communities, our livelihoods, and our everyday lives. ‘Ambon, Ulan, Baha’ reminds us that every act of progress carries a corresponding responsibility. When development is pursued without regard for ecological balance, even noble intentions can leave irreversible consequences. No one is exempt from the consequences of a wounded planet,” said CJ Andaluz, the director of the musical, also the Creative Director of Pixel Media Productions Co., the producer of the stage-play to be presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the MET.  

“Ambon Ulan Baha” tells the story of Nonoy (CJ Navato) and Inday (Thea Astley), two young lovers whose dreams become entangled in promises of progress brought about by a logging concession set in motion by the rich and powerful Don Calixto (Anton Juan) and his son Doctor Anton (Rendell Sanchez) in the fictional Barrio Magubat.

Other members of the cast: Kapitan Berto (Nazer Salcedo), Mang Pedro (Onyl Torres), Nana Ilyang (Shermaine Santiago) and Nana Maring (Sweet Buchanan).

One member of Taumbayan, the chorus, is Phil Panganiban.

Stage design is minimalist and visual storytelling with breathtaking theatrical styles.

Among other creatives: Pipo Cifra (Musical Direction), Anthony Cruz (Choreography), Ohm David (Production Design), Raqs Regalado (Costume Design), Charlotte Despuez (Lighting Design) and Roman Cruz (Technical Direction). (Toots Tolentino)