Daring play 'Walong Libong Piso' goes to the big screen
Published Oct 16, 2025 10:09 am
Team 'Walong Libong Piso' at the Manila Hotel on Oct. 15. From left: actor Jhon Mark Marcia, producer Engr. Benjie Austria, of BenTria Productions; actors Paolo Gumabao, Drei Arias, and newcomer Jorge Guda; and writer-director Dante Balboa. (Image by Rodel Fernando)
The bold and provocative stage play "Walong Libong Piso" is set to make its cinematic debut.
This exciting announcement was made by producer Engr. Benjie Austria, of BenTria Productions, and director-writer Dante Balboa during a media conference at the Manila Hotel on Oct. 15.
"This project was really intended for the movie. This project is really a movie, but we decided to launch the project through a stage play. It's like we're hitting two birds with one stone," said Dante during the media conference.
Dante said the stage version came first so that the actor could memorize the lines in the film version. Even the cinematographer needs to learn how the movie was shot without cuts.
"Walong Libong Piso" was filmed as a one-character movie in a single sequence lasting 1.5 hours. It stars Paolo Gumabao in one of his most daring characters. "It was shot in one setting and one location." "Walong Libong Piso" opens in theaters nationwide on Oct. 22.
Dante said, "I told Sir Benjie to make the stage version first so that the actor will be well-equipped by the time we shoot the movie version. Walang cut ang movie. Napakagaling ni Paolo rito. (The movie has no cuts. Paolo is good at it.) It is so hard to find an actor who's as good as Paolo.)"
Engr. Benjie said he's excited for the movie, which received an R-16 rating from the MTRCB. "I was thinking the film version would be given R-18, but I am thankful for the R-16 rating."
The R-16 rating means that the movie is restricted to viewers who are 16 years old and above. On the other hand, an R-18 rating requires viewers to be 18 years or older to be admitted to the theater.
Dante believes that turning Filipino stage plays into movies would also set a trend in the country.
"Ang daming stage piece or pieces na pwedeng i-convert into movies. Pero ang dami ring play na mahirap talagang gawin bilang pelikula. Hopefully, ang 'Walong Libong Piso' will set trend," the writer said.
Benjie added, "I believe so (it will set a trend). For our part, the budget is lower, so it's an advantage."
Paolo discussed the challenge in making the film version of the play.
"Ang pinakamalaking challenge for me is finding my way in theater to movie acting, which I learned from director Dante. He was there every step of the way. He made sure that my acting was meant for movies, not for the theater," the actor said. "In theater, you need to extend your character over the duration of the play, unlike in the movies. The director can cut your character in a few minutes."
Drei Arias, Paolo Gumabao, Jorge Guda, and Jhon Mark Marcia
The repeat
Due to insistent public demand, "Walong Libong Piso" will have a rerun at Teatrino in Greenhills on Nov. 29, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, and Dec. 14. There will be two shows for every play date: 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Pageant King Drei Arias thanked those who supported the play when it ran in August.
"Kabado po ako talaga noon sa stage play because noong ginagawa namin ito, hindi ko alam ang magiging feedback ng mga tao. Hindi rin ako sure sa target market namin before. But I am so happy and relieved that there will be a rerun on stage. (I was really nervous about the stage play because when we were doing it, I didn't know how people would react. I wasn't even sure about our target market before. But I am so happy and relieved that there will be a rerun on stage)," the actor and pageant king said.
Jhon Mark Marcia said he is thrilled about the rerun of the stage play. "Masaya ako na may rerun kami dahil nai-relay namin ang gusto naming ikwento sa inyo. Pinaghirapan ko talaga yung pagiging daring ko sa play para gumanda ang mga eksena. Salamat po at na-appreciate nila ang play namin. (I'm happy that we have a rerun because we were able to relay what we wanted to tell. I really worked hard on my daring scenes in the play. Thank you for appreciating our play."
Joining the "Walong Libong Piso" rerun is showbiz newbie Jorge Guda, a member of the all-male group Magic Voyz. At the same press conference, Jorge said he is ready to go daring.
"I will do my best to be at par with my fellow actors in the play," said Jorge, when asked how far he would go daring in the play.
Jorge said he has seen the stage version with four different characters.
"At first, I wasn't told that I would be part of the rerun. Watching it, I told myself I want to explore that kind of project," he also said.
This will be Jorge's first daring role in showbiz. His previous projects in the industry included modeling, singing, and dancing, but he has never acted before.
He shared his preparations. "In terms of my build, I go to the gym to make my build look leaner. I memorize my script by recording my lines. There's pressure, but it's good pressure."