Musical "Liwanag sa Dilim" features Rico Blanco's songs

The jukebox musical "Liwanag sa Dilim" showcases the popular songs of Rico Blanco. The challenge for the creators was choosing the right songs to match the musical's message. Writer and director Robbie Guevara began writing in 2018, but after delays and changes in the political landscape, the production was reworked. Guevara explained that the story focuses on Elesi, an orphaned adult finding his identity, who joins forces with Cris to support the underprivileged. The cast includes Khalil Ramos, Anthony Rosaldo, CJ Navato, and others. The musical features 40 of Blanco’s hits from his Rivermaya years, such as "Kisapmata" and "214." The team collaborated with Blanco to decide on the songs, respecting his preferences but also allowing flexibility in creative decisions. They paid attention to the current political climate and aimed to resonate with younger audiences, involving younger staff in the process. "Liwanag sa Dilim" runs until April 13 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati.