Mangingibigs, UNITE! In exactly five days, the PETA Theater Center will be opening its doors once again and welcoming us back with Walang Aray!
A contemporary adaptation of Severino Reyes’ classic zarzuela Walang Sugat, the production returns with sharper satire, deeper emotional stakes, and bold new interpretations. Blending humor, romance, and political commentary, Walang Aray continues to resonate with audiences as it explores the intersection of love and resistance.
Directed by Ian Segarra, Walang Aray is PETA’s flagship production for its 58th season, themed Love and Power. The show promises a more comedic, more subversive, and bolder and biting Walang Aray while retaining its heartwarming core.
If you’re still on the fence about seeing Walang Aray, here are my top five reasons why you should come to the theatre and watch it AT LEAST ONCE!
THE OUTSTANDING CAST
If I were to be a little cheeky I’d say my top five reasons would be Gio Gahol, MNor Madamesila, Johnnie Moran, Neomi Gonzales, and Gerard Dy, AKA cast members from their last run who really made an impact on me. But honestly, you can take any cast combination from their stacked roster, and I am confident you will still enjoy the show.
PETA has always been known for their great ensemble work (Rak of Aegis, CareDivas, 3 Stars and a Sun, etc), and it’s no different in Walang Aray. Each member of the cast is utilized in many creative ways, and you should watch out for the big vocal numbers because it’s always such an experience. (And in a small theatre like PETA where the acoustics are always so good? You might just have an out of body experience.)
For this particular run I am so stoked to see my 90s lodi Jolina Magdangal take on her first onstage role! *screams in chuva choo choo* I’m very excited to see what she brings to the table as Juana, the main character Julia’s mother. I’m also curious about how Ice Seguerra and Lance Reblando will add their own touch to Don Tadeo and Julia respectively, so curious that I quickly bought tickets to their show as soon as I got the chance!
THE CATCHY MUSIC
Musical director Vince Lim put so much flavor to the music in this production, it’s hard not to get addicted to his hooks. After the first time I saw the show in 2023, I went home with a severe case of last-song-syndrome, singing (probably with the wrong lyrics) Pangako ‘Yan, Ma, and Alkohol at random and wishing I could listen to them on repeat on Spotify. Thank goodness there was that Rappler Jam episode, by the way. I’ve been making it my whole personality.
Anyway, whether or not you’re a fan of pop music, I believe you are likely to leave the theater humming a song or two. And wishing you could jam to the songs while you’re in the shower or washing dishes or something. I’m no music expert, pero pramis, iba ang amats ng mga kanta rito, so if you’re a music enjoyer, I suggest you give it a try!
THE IRREVERENT HUMOR
May pi-Pinoy pa ba sa pagjo-joke tungkol sa mga pinaka-nakakalecheng bagay na nangyayari sa buhay natin? One thing about PETA productions is they keep their material fresh and don’t hold their punches, so whether you’re a chronically online person or just someone who stays on top of current events, you will find a well-placed jab or two in this show’s script.
The script has a way of making things light even in the midst of dark moments, which is also so Filipino it almost kinda hurts. But all of this is part of the Walang Aray experience that you’ll be taking home with you and lingering in your chest for days (even weeks! months!) after.
THE BEAUTIFUL SET DESIGN
In my years of watching as many theatre productions as I can afford, I’ve always appreciated smartly done stage designs that also help tell the story. Walang Aray’s stage is A STAGE. Literally, a zarzuela stage. And my favorite thing about it is how detailed and charming and functional things are on that stage. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who’s yet to see the show, but one of my favorite moments that highlighted both stage functionality and movement was the opening number (Front Act). Ang taba ng utak ng nakaisip nun! I was so happy seeing that for the first time, and every time I saw it was no less magical.
I know that they’ve tweaked the stage design for this run, so I’m excited to see what they’ve done to it. I can assure you though that it’ll be enchanting. Tatak PETA yan eh!
THE HAPPY ENDING
Oops, did I spoil that for you? Nah. The title of the show itself says Walang Aray, right? Because just as J-Mee Katanyag, PETA’s Artistic Director, said, “In today’s world full of aray, we need Walang Aray pa more!” FELT SO MUCH. Especially as a romance author and enjoyer who craves happy endings, this show was IT for me.
Yes, there’s tragedy, yes there’s heartbreak — Filipino history is rife with that — but in the end, there’s hope and joy because there’s LOVE. For family, for friends, for a beloved. And most of all, for country.
Not a fan of happy endings? Damn, who hurt you?
But seriously. I wouldn’t have loved this show as much if it ended in tragedy, and it’s not only because I’m a fan of happy ever afters. The world is so full of shit right now (kahit wag na nga world eh, Philippines na lang), and if I’m out looking for an escape, I need something that’ll make me forget reality even just for two hours. So YES, GIVE ME THAT DAMN HAPPY ENDING! Inject it in my veins!
Walang Aray runs at the PETA Theater Center from August 29 to October 12, 2025. Get your tickets now at Ticket2Me, or follow PETA’s social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram) for showbuyer information. Kitakits sa teatro!!!
