Resorts World Manila's Bituing Walang Ningning: The Second Run

Opening act of Bituin Walang Ningning musical.

With notable upgrades on set, music, script, and cast, the return of Resorts World Manila’s Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical onstage Newport Performing Arts Theater on October 8, 2015 is definitely worth watching over and over again. Back due to popular demand since it first opened in June, the musical awed audience with more highlights that proved to be more entertaining than its initial production.

I'd be honest with you: I have never watched an original Filipino musical until two nights ago. Watching the musical version of Bituing Walang Ningning is new to me, and even if I have seen its original movie and its teleserye version, I tell you, the musical is more than the famous 'you're nothing but a second-rate trying hard copycat!' line. I couldn't help but to still be in awe during the two hours of the musical. It was refreshing to see Antoinette Taus, performing at Newport Performing Arts Theater as Lavinia Arguelles. Nonetheless, the musical was a success! No wonder it's on its second run due to popular demand.

Audiences welcomed the one-of-a-kind musical with great fervor and applause after witnessing the spectacular performance of new cast member Antoinette Taus who plays pop star diva Lavinia Arguelles in lieu of original cast member Cris Villonco who will be back in the show later in the year.

The second run made good on its promise to further incorporate major modifications that would really bring out the production’s world-class qualities in both creative and technical aspects. Among the noticeable upgrades are more songs used as a medium for the story’s narrative, added special effects and costumes for the musical productions plus improvements in dialogue that seem tailor-made for the entire cast making the scenes all the more engaging for audiences.  

Other notable additions to the cast include versatile actor Epy Quizon who will be playing the role of Jon Santos’s Auntie starting November, premier all-male vocal group PRIMO who has also added musical firepower to the performance, and a total of 11 new members of the 22-man ensemble.

Reprising their roles for the second run are Mark Bautista who plays leading man Nico Escobar, Monica Cuenco who earned the lead role of Dorina Pineda via nationwide auditions, Cris Villonco who also takes on the role of Lavinia Arguelles, Jay Roa as Zosimo Blanco, Jon Santos as Auntie, John Nite as Kuya Germs, Michael Williams as Larry Calma, and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Edith.

“It’s pretty much a new show they’re going to see. Based on the feedback from the first run, we redefined the script and will now present pretty much an improved version of it, which is really the way it’s done,” shared First Lady of Philippine Musical Theater Yulo who is also the artistic director for Full House Theater Company. 

Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical brings to life a story that has transcended Philippine entertainment. Originally told over a serialized comic strip by fictionist Nerissa Cabral, the story was made into a blockbuster movie in 1985 and was then re-made into a hit television series in 2006.

Newport Performing Arts Theater

Backstage access! With the bituin (Monica Cuenco as Dorina Pineda) and the in-between lol

The production marked the first time a contemporary drama has crossed over multiple media, from print, cinema, television, and finally on stage. Bituing Walang Ningning was initially introduced by Nerissa Cabral via serialized comic strip, and later adapted to film by director Emmanuel Borlaza eventually becoming one of the most popular Filipino movies to date. The tale was then adapted into a TV drama series in 2006.

This time, the drama’s theater foray is told along with the timeless music of the great Willy Cruz and other memorable OPM hits, which is scored by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar with veteran stage director Freddie Santos at the helm.

Pursuing its advocacy to champion the Filipino, RWM continues to showcase the best of what local entertainment can offer. "Our vision is to establish an avenue for a new genre of original Pinoy performing arts that will open doors for next generation thespians, playwrights, and producers to explore," Yulo added.

Tickets are now available at all TicketWorld and TicketNet outlets and at the RWM Box Office at Php1,000 for Bronze, Php1,400 for Silver, Php1,900 for Gold, Php2,500 for VIP, and Php3,300 for SVIP seats. 

Catch more of this one-of-a-kind musical at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until October 25 and continuing on with December and January dates.

For more about Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical, including cast and complete show schedules visit their official website.

RWM is the first one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination in the Philippines that features recreational thrills, world-class performances, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options.

Conveniently located across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, RWM is an instant gateway to world-class Philippine hospitality and is home to three international lodging brands, (MAXIMS Hotel, MARRIOTT Hotel Manila, and REMINGTON Hotel), a three-story convention center housing the country’s largest hotel ballroom (Marriott Grand Ballroom), and two more hotels (SHERATON Hotel Manila and HILTON Manila Hotel) currently under construction. 

Also home to RWM is NEWPORT Mall which features international luxury brands, state-of-the-art movie theaters at Newport Cinemas, an award-winning, ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT), and a cozy, 24/7 entertainment hub at Bar 360. Dine in one of almost 50 restaurant outlets offering a diverse selection of local and world cuisine, prepared by top Filipino and foreign chefs and paired with a wide selection of the finest wines and popular liquors.

Resorts World Manila— Nothing Compares.