bet168 Mixed emotions abound in Rep’s Christmas musical

Featuring intertwining stories of different Filipinos at the airport, “Going Home to Christmas” is all at once cute, touching, endearingbet168, and preachy

Repertory Philippines (Rep) debuts its first ever original Filipino jukebox musical, “Going Home to Christmas,” featuring the hits of Pinoy Christmas icon Jose Mari Chan. 

While Chan’s music may bring us all sorts of warm holiday memories, Rep’s interpretation departs slightly from the festive sparkle and twinkle that often marks the season, instead bringing us into the hazy chaos that is an airport in the holiday rush.

The musical features intertwining stories, from a father and son navigating memories of loss as they return to their hometown for the holidays, a pair of best friends finally taking the leap to level up their relationship, and a middle-aged couple rekindling their romance to a long-distance relationship held together by role-play video calls, grandparents teaching their grandson Filipino traditions, and airport cafe baristas trying to shoot their shot with pretty flight attendants. It’s a medley of personalities, backgrounds, and contexts that converge and intersect at the accurately recreated airport on the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium stage.

With an impressive cast and ensemble, Chan’s beloved discography is given a burst of new energy, thanks to Ejay Yatco’s musical direction. As a whole, the attempt at this musical concept is cute and commendable; if anything, the flurry of activity lends itself to transitioning the scenes. But the challenge here, as in any production that aims to string together various storylines, is to make each story solid, with an arc that flows and makes sense while still being cohesive with the rest of the show. Some of the stories in “Going Home to Christmas” were built well but unfortunately, some also fell short.

Most of the play revolved around romantic relationships over what may be deemed more quintessentially Filipino—that is, the family.

Raya (Justine Narciso) and JD (Neo Rivera)’s adorable friends-to-lovers development is optimistic (very “sana all”), a welcome sprinkling of youthful, carefree kilig to the otherwise more serious matters involving the other airport transients. 

Neomi Gonzales and Lorenz Martinez playing middle-aged couple Josie and Arnie on their second honeymoon has the most satisfying and clear-cut arc in that it is full and takes us through their background, motivations, conflicts, and resolution. 

Carla Laforteza and Noel Rayos, portraying the challenges of the long-distance marriage between Pat, the flight attendants’ supervisor, and Richard, a pilot, had a heartwarming and sweet reward at their story arc’s conclusion but was a bit lacking in proper buildup. The idea of the long-distance couple role-playing to keep the spark alive was an interesting choice but could have been executed with more care as the setup of their arc almost made it seem like Rep was delving into territory that was neither Christmasy nor family-friendly. If anything, Laforteza’s “Hahanapin Ko” solo redeems the arc.

Meanwhile, JR (Floyd Tena)’s unexpected encounter with old flame Em (Mayen Bustamante-Cadd) had some interesting tension, but the development of their reminiscing, catching up, and reconciliation ended with a feeling of being preached upon. 

Alaska will also assume about $900 million in Hawaiian debt. Alaska says it will keep Hawaiian as a separate brand, eliminating the need to repaint planes.

SFC+ on Wednesday said its mobile app was currently available for select users, but it would be available for download via the Google Play Store and App Store by Oct. 15.

It’s not all happily ever afters though, which adds a tinge of realism to the play. Barista Chris (Davy Narcisco)’s subtle, awkward attempt at courting flight attendant Mona (Krystal Kane) is a welcome foil to the other coffee shop romance unfolding between Raya and JD. 

While JR and JD, and Em and Raya are essentially family, along with the married couples, the only more traditional image of a family we see presented are Lola, Lolo, and Kevin (Carla Martinez, Gary Junsay, and Basti Santos), who are balikbayans for the holidays. Throughout their transit, the grandparents give their apo a briefer on the various Filipino holiday traditions. Their story arc is subtler compared to the other stories around the airport, which lessens the impact. This is especially considering the other group of people at the airport, the carolers, who are also given their own story and scenes but doesn’t feel as substantial compared to the rest. 

Rep’s “Going Home to Christmas” may paint us an emotionally accurate picture of the Filipino holidays. There is an attempt at finding and spreading joy despite the hiccups and mishaps, a testament to Filipinos’ enduring (and overly romanticized) resilience in all things; there’s definitely a celebration of love in all forms, which seems to be the most significant point the musical has made; and, in today’s context, the musical also appears to be a plea to remember “the true meaning of the season.” 

“Going Home to Christmas” runs until Dec. 15 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Directed by Jeremy Domingo, musical arrangement and direction by Ejay Yatco, written by Robbie Guevara, Luna Griño-Inocian, and Joel Trinidad. Starring Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Lorenz Martinez, Noel Rayos, Neomi Gonzales, Floyd Tena, Mayen Bustamante-Cadd, Neo Rivera, Justine Narciso, Carla Martinez, Alfritz, Roxy Aldiosa, Allan Dale, Johann Enriquez, Naths Everett, Juancho Gabriel, Sean Inocencio, Rafael Jimenezbet168, Gary Junsay, Krystal Kane, Sheena Lee, Davy Narciso, Pappel, Maron Rozelle, Basti Santos, Julia Serad, Zid Yarcia, Mika Espinosa, Onyl Torres.