VIDEO: Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros now a musical

MANILA, Philippines –  Multi-awarded film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros is now a musical, featuring 30 original Filipino songs.

G Tongi reports.

I’m here at Philippine Educational Theater Association for an exclusive peak at the rehearsal process for Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.

Adapted from the 2005 film directed by Aurelios Solito, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros tells the story of an adolescent gay boy in Sampaloc, Manila. The film won awards both here and abroad. Now the acclaimed story hits the stage as a full length musical. William Elvin Manzano, one of the musical composers, says original Filipino works like Maxie enriches our culture and language.

WILLIAM ELVIN MANZANO, MUSICAL COMPOSER FOR MAXIE: THE MUSICALE: It’s my story, it is your story, no matter where you live, no matter what your social status is, as long as you are Filipino, you will understand and you will feel. I think we should have our own things that are going on for us, something that we can actually sing with our language.

Jayvot Galang plays Maxie in the Musical. Galang joined a talent contest for a local TV show and his video went viral. Maxie the Musicale marks his first work in theater.
He says he shares similarities with the character Maxie.

JAYVHOT GALANG, MAXIE IN MAXIEL THE MUSICALE: Halos yung kwento po ni Maxie, kwento rin po ng buhay ko. Ang pagkakaiba lang po naming, sweet sya. Kasi po sa amin, pag masaya po ako, masaya rin po ang family ko, tangap rin po ako sa family namin na ganito ako, maaga po ako nakapagladlad. (My story with Maxie is somewhat like my life. The only difference is that Maxie is sweet. Where I am from, I’m always happy and so is my family. They accept me for what I am. I “came out” early.)

The musical features over 30 original Filipino songs with book and lyrics by Nicolas B. Pichay and music by Manzano and his co-composer Janine Santos and JJ Pimpinio.

Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros is opening this weekend on November 9 and runs to December 8, 2013 only. Be delighted through song and dance asMaxie shares his life and trials in Sampaloc Manila on stage at PETA.
G Tongi, Rappler Manila.  – Rappler.com