Truly, a composition of a talented pool of artistic team members

It was a pleasure walking the grounds of Ateneo de Manila once again. It has been years since I visited my old school. The short walk from the pedestrian gate (Gate 2.5) along Katipunan brought me back to the halcyon days of my undergrad years. 

And indeed, like clockwork, my feet remembered the way to the New Rizal Library, where the preview and press conference for the new musical by the Ateneo Blue Repertory (blueREP) will be held.

"Presented by Rizal Library, and Co-Presented by Areté, ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah the Musical... 'Yun Lang!’ is a cult classic comedy based on the graphic novel by Carlo Vergara, with music and lyrics by Vincent A. De Jesus, and stage adaptation by Chris Martinez," these are the word from the press release of the play.

I was a little taken aback by the word "cult classic," as I remember the time when the graphic novel first came out. I was in my second year of undergrad at Ateneo de Manila University, and it was indeed a groundbreaking work. It seems I have reached the point where the literary works of my youth are now considered a classic. C'est la vie.

While walking in my old school, musing about how things have changed, I realized that the spirit of this new adaptation of "Zsazsa Zaturnnah" is the same as what I am feeling with regard to this new Ateneo—they are both different, changed, but also very much the same.

There are new buildings at the Ateneo, some are repainted, also new pedestrian-covered walkways are everywhere, but the soul of the space, for me—the feeling, it was very much the same.

Same with "Zsazsa Zaturnnah." The graphic novel came out more than a decade ago. The gender and social issues then are not the same as it is now; but truly, the fight, the struggle of queer people in the Philippines, is still, sadly, very much apparent and the same.

"I don’t know if it was providence, or if it is just a coincidence, but the staging of ‘ZsaZsa Zaturnnah the Musical…’Yun Lang!’ is perfectly timed with the issues we have today here in the Philippines. With the new pushback of the SOGIE Bill and everything,” shared Philippine Theater Actors Guild (TAG) president and director of the upcoming musical Missy Maramara.

The show (same as the graphic novel and its succeeding adaptations) deals with otherworldly proportions about what it means to be queer in the Philippines. 

"Sometimes, in the end, it takes something out of this world to bring you the truth of who you are, the range of what you can do, and the love that's been right beside you this whole time."

"Zsazsa Zaturnnah the Musical… ‘Yun Lang!” is composed of a talented pool of artistic team members. Apart from Maramara, there’s also the musical direction of Music Composer and Writer Vincent A. De Jesus, Production and Costumes Designer Tata Tuviera, Choreographer Franco Ramos, Technical Director Adriane Ungriano, Lights designer D Cortezano, Graphic Designer Ralf Borja, and Illustrator Rio Reyes.

The show will run from March 17 to April 2, 2023, at the Doreen Fernandez Black Box Theater, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University. For ticket inquiries, please contact Dani Villa (09171394640), or send an email to [email protected]