Review: Parokya ni Edgar Musical Hits the Right Beats

(SPOT.ph) Nothing can prepare you for the Parokyaverse, not even if you’re a ’90s kid or hardcore fan who masters the lyrics and backstory to every Parokya ni Edgar track. If you think you can predict the plotline of this Filipino jukebox musical, you better get ready for a big surprise.

Also read: Parokya Ni Edgar Posted a Throwback Pic From the '80s And It Isn't What You'd Expect

Synopsis of Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical

Based on the same tongue twister album title that the Filipino pop-rock band released in 1997, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical is the 10th major theatrical offering from Newport World Resorts, and their most expensive Filipino production to date.

At the center of the story are four different women who find themselves at a crossroads—high school student Aiza (Kyle Napuli), matron Norma (Tex Ordoñez-De Leon), scavenger Jen (Marynor Madamesila), and security guard Girlie (Natasha Cabrera). All born on the 6th of December, the play follows them as they have the strangest birthday of their lives.

With a mysterious rhythm pounding their ears, the four women run away from the real world and find themselves entering a portal—in the form of a portalet—that takes them to the surreal world of Parokya. There they meet peculiar characters, including the Bigotilyos—Noel Comia Jr. as Tikmol, Pepe Herrera as Mr. Suave, Nicco Manalo as Mang Jose, and Jasper Jimenez as Tito Ralph. In the fantasy world of Parokya, the four women face their demons, unravel the mystery of the drums, and undergo personal transformations.

The Amazing Parokyaverse

After a dark and broody introduction, the four female leads are transported to the bright, psychedelic world of Parokya. As playwright Rody Vera admitted, this is a nod to the long acid trip that is Hair (the ’70s American tribal love-rock musical).

Imagine combining the nostalgic and comic elements of the Filipino barangay into a fantasy world that’s equal parts Broadway, cabaret, Pinoy sitcom, and theme park magic. Welcome to Parokyaverse.

The Taglish script uses a mix of musical numbers, straight dialogue, and sung-and-rapped-through lines, which some may think alludes to the Hamilton-style of musicals, but is actually a signature Parokya ni Edgar style, where they parody other genres—including hip-hop—and create nonsensical, gibberish lyrics.

Not a single space on the Newport Performing Arts Theater stage was put to waste. Scenic designer Lawyn Cruz, video projection designers GA Fallerme and Joyce Anne Garcia, and Lights Designer Meliton Roxas Jr. created a high-budget, multi-layer set that’s filled with audio-visual action from start to finish, whichever part you lay your eyes on.

Parokya fans will be delighted to find many easter eggs hidden in the musical. We won’t spoil anything, but here’s a clue to help you get started: Look at every intricate detail of the costumes, props, video projections, and stage design, and then listen to every single line. See how many Parokya ni Edgar references you can spot. Even the names of each character, such as Buloy and Mang Jose, come from Parokya songs.

What we think of Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical

We attended the Gala Night of the musical, one week after it officially premiered. On top of Vera’s creation of the world of Parokya, we were amazed at how he, director Dexter Santos, musical director/arranger Ejay Yatco, and the entire production crew put together a whopping 47 songs of Parokya ni Edgar (from several albums, not just Buruguduy, and a mix of full songs, excerpts, and reprises) into one cohesive script.

What a strong cast, down to every member of the triple-threat ensemble backed by the 14-piece Manila Philharmonic Orchestra! Standout characters include Tex Ordoñez-De Leon as the matron Norma, who stars as the typical rich Tita that we both loathe and love, and Pepe Herrera, whose costume and styling are exactly how we imagined Mr. Suave to be. They were made for these roles.

Kyle Napuli, who started in musical theater as a kid, is now grown up as she portrays high school student Aiza, while Marynor Madamesila as scavenger Jen and Natasha Cabrera as lady guard Girlie bring their own nuances to their characters. Dog lovers will gush at the appearance of Deevo, the trained Belgian Malinois, as Aiza’s protective dog, Murlock.

Not even Parokya band leader, Chito Miranda himself, could predict how this musical would turn out. He credits the production with As he said in his Instagram post after opening night:

"Akala ko nga nung una, parang kalokohan lang yung narrative eh. 

...pero if twisted yung utak mo, tulad nung mga tao behind the musical (the story, the script, everything...), sasabog yung utak mo on how dark and messed up the story is."

Dissecting The Drums

We finally understood after watching why not much information about the plot is given beforehand. It’s best to experience this musical without knowing how the story will go, even if you have your own predictions.

On the surface, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy is a show about the nuances of Filipino life—from the struggles of different socio-economic classes to the barangay and tambay culture—and it manages to draw you in with all its flashy numbers, sexual innuendos, references to folklore, and Pinoy sitcom humor.

But at the helm are topics that Filipinos need to finally embrace and discuss instead of laughing off with another Tito joke or in-denial quip. With perfect timing in Act 2, you will not only learn what Buruguduystunstugudunstuy actually means, but you’ll also get struck by the powerful message of this musical.

Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical runs until May 31, 2024, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport World Resorts. Tickets, priced from P1,105 to P5,525, are available through TicketWorld, SM Tickets, HelixPay, and Newport World Resorts Box Office.