Johnrey Rivas (Facebook)

At just 12 years old on March 24, 2011, Johnrey Rivas first saw a stage play at Tondo High School—his first brush with theater. A young boy from a public school in Tondo, Manila, filled with dreams of song and stage, he watched in awe as Vance Larena delivered a stirring performance in 'Ako Si Ninoy', playing its namesake role. “Nung nakita ko si Vance Larena, sabi ko sa sarili ko, gusto ko maging katulad niya. Gusto ko maging ako-siya. One day, maging ako siya. Magiging katulad niya ako,” Johnrey would remember, his voice shimmering with aspiration.

Before that moment, Johnrey had been a familiar face in every amateur singing contest in Brgy-Barangayan, Bulacan, and Tondo. “Singer ako. Lumalaban ako sa mga amateur singing contests… Minsan nananalo, pero madalas ako nagiging runner-up, kase bata pa ako.” His high, youthful voice won hearts—until puberty arrived and shifted his vocal range, sending him into the awkward silence of dormancy as his parents urged him to prioritize school.

But the spark was lit. That first performance became his north star. He applied to Philstagers’ workshop, determined to cross the threshold into the world that beckoned him so fiercely. On March 30, 2011—his 13th birthday—he pleaded for inclusion in the top 200 workshop slots. “Today is my birthday (March 30, 2011), that’s why I’m wearing red. And I want you to give this slot to me as a gift.” His charm and tenacity paid off—he was in.

The workshops were grueling, singing, acting, dancing, and personality development over several weeks. Yet, Johnrey embraced it with unwavering resolve. Ensemble roles led to deepening dreams. By age 16, he was serving as an usher—earning the title of 'best usher' for selling over a hundred programs with cheeky flair. “Buy one-take kiss,” he joked, masterfully marketing both himself and the show.

Shortly after, he returned to the stage—but this time in the title role, Bonifacio. “Nag-360 degree turn. From walang role to the title role.” He threw himself wholly into his craft. “My mindset was—lahat gagawin ko para makamit ko ang pangarap ko.”

Today, Johnrey is more than a performer. He is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Philstagers, a Bachelor of Library and Information Science graduate, and a tireless advocate for both artistry and organization. He balances reviewing for his board exams with the demands of running a company, acting, and marketing. “I don’t know (how I manage). Maybe … my course … how to manage my time well … delegation of work to other people.”

In the pandemic’s upheaval, he became Philstagers’ lifeline—earning through livestreaming on Kumu. He paid for utilities and helped pivot the theater company into Philstagers Films and Philstagers Digitals, producing Boys’ Love series that reached millions of online viewers. “Ako ang nagsilang ng digital aspect ng Philstagers at ng buong kumpanya… I have more than a million followers on Kumu and more than a million followers on TikTok as well.”

Yet, he remains grounded: “My mindset is always maging magaling lang ako. Gusto ko sarili ko lang ang kalaban ko palagi.” He strives, not to outshine others, but to outdo himself.

Philstagers & Vince Tañada has established a legacy of education, art, and innovation.

Philstagers—formally the Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF)—was co-founded by Atty. Vince M. Tañada, a lawyer turned theater stalwart. Driven by a vision that theater could educate, entertain, and elevate, he built PSF into a mobile theater company with a heart for outreach and a reputation for bold, socially resonant productions .

Under his leadership, Philstagers produced powerful works like 'Katips', 'Ako si Ninoy', and 'Hero Z', reaching hundreds of performances across the nation. These musicals didn’t just entertain—they provoked thought, exploring martial law, heroism, and social issues .

Vince’s unwavering dedication to the theatrical arts earned him numerous accolades—from Aliw Awards to FAMAS and Palanca, affirming his artistic excellence and societal impact .

He was often described as a 'bad boy of Philippine theater'—a perfectionist, bold, business-savvy, and unapologetically driven . Yet, he remained deeply committed to inclusivity, mentoring countless young artists, offering free summer workshops, and ensuring that talent could flourish beyond any socioeconomic barrier .

This year, Philstagers is celebrating its 25th anniversary, launching a free arts program, open workshops, and a theater festival—continuing the legacy of nurturing new talent .

From gawking at a high school show to helming a theater powerhouse, Johnrey Rivas’s story is a soft crescendo of grit, growth, and grace. He carries forward Vince’s legacy—but with his own lyrical truths, digital edges, and organized soul.

He continues to honor Philstagers’ mission—to educate through art, to reach across screens and stages, to uplift voices from communities often overlooked. And he does it with heart.

He is not just an actor or an administrator. He’s a storyteller—of his improbable beginnings, of the nation’s heroes, and of theater’s power to transform lives. It's a journey that reminds us, sometimes, that small voice on stage—singing, stumbling, yet striving—becomes the voice of a generation. (Contributed by Jemuel Cainglet Salterio)