Review: Liwanag sa Dilim Is Missing the 'Rico Blanco Magic'

(SPOT.ph) You might've clicked this article thinking you'd finally know what Liwanag sa Dilim is about. After all, it has been notoriously kept under wraps ever since production was announced. But we're sorry to break it to you: even if we've seen the entire play, we can't reveal anything about the story just yet. 

Director and playwright Robbie Guevara took the stage during Liwanag sa Dilim's preview night and implored the audience not to share anything about the plot. This is an interesting ask, considering that most productions want their work to be discussed in detail. But Guevara repeatedly pleaded, saying, "Once you see the first few minutes, you will know why." Since he said, "Please," and we want you to have your own "oh, okay" moment, we'll keep spoilers to ourselves.

But here's what we can tell you: it's about an orphaned boy, Elesi, and his friend Cris, who go on a journey to figure out the former's parentage. It's a story we've all heard it before—too many times, if you ask me. But Guevarra remains convinced of its relevance, for why else would he rehash it for today's audiences, give it a 2025 razzle dazzle, larger than life projections and all? It's an attempt to breathe new life to a classic Filipino tale of class struggle, family, and friendship. And we're stopping there.

Trust us when we say this secrecy is all part of the experience. Knowing more before entering will not benefit you—it'll be like reading the end of the book before even starting the first chapter.

Also read: Guide to 'Liwanag Sa Dilim': Cast, Tickets + More

But what else is left to discuss if we can't talk about its story? A play or musical is, after all, only as strong as its plot. But Liwanag sa Dilim has another ace up its sleeve, the reason why even non-theater fans are excited to catch it: the songs of Rico Blanco.

Here's how Liwanag sa Dilim took Blanco's discography 

As any Rico Blanco fan would tell you, the guy's lyricism is next-level. He can convey the innocence of a crush in the same beautiful poetry as he tells the story of a long-term romance fizzling out. His songs take you on an emotional rollercoaster—navigating love, friendship, and even service to society through clever wordplay and melodies that shift effortlessly between light and dark. From innocence to heartbreak, youth to longing, and everything in between, each track pulls you into its own little world. Blanco's discography is a treasure trove of relatable material—relatability is at its core.

As a fan, I had high hopes that weaving together his different worlds would result in a universe held tightly by a cohesive narrative and an effortless progression, ripe with experiences that will resonate among audiences. I expected a tale in which viewers could find themselves in the characters and feel like they're a part of the play. I wanted to be Elesi and my friend's story to be that of Cris. But our stories weren't on stage. And Elesi, Cris, and the rest of the characters felt out of reach. Was it the nature of the source material or simply because there were too many things happening at the same time?

Liwanag sa Dilim could have mined the full potential of Rico Blanco's songs and their power to connect to people. It could have given audiences an immersive theater experience without trying too hard and without being too on the nose. It could've taken the cue from the songs and let the story sit and simmer instead of turning up the heat too high. 

But, Liwanag sa Dilim spent a lot of time (two hours and 45 minutes, to be exact) rehashing a story that didn't need another reboot this early—isn’t another reimagined version still on a streaming platform as we speak? It tried to offer too many things: social commentary, comedy, romance, and even create an alternate reality and alternate fictional endings. Plot points, dialogue, quips and what-nots could've been cut to tell a more cohesive and riveting tale. It's fanfiction that would've benefitted from an editor. It could have cut out all the noise so we could hear Rico's music. 

The few times, I heard the songs sing to me were when actor Boo Gabunada performed Balisong; and during the character Cris and the female lead's mash-up of Kisapmata and Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo. After much thought, I realized this was because these characters had the privilege of their stories being fleshed out in the source material. Everyone else's story felt rushed, a mish-mash of what-ifs in this musical's alternate universe. Thus, the songs they sang sounded forgettable and failed at creating an emotional connection. It lacked the Rico Blanco magic that made me want to see this musical despite not knowing the plot. 

Should you watch Liwanag sa Dilim?

Would I watch this again? Maybe, just to see how the other cast members approach their characters. But if it were just for the plot and the music, maybe once is enough. Liwanag sa Dilim leaves a lot to be desired. It does have its saving grace: the talents onstage. From ensembles to supporting roles to leads, everyone brought their A-game and deserved their time under the lights. 

The performance we caught was headlined by Anthony Rosaldo, CJ Navato, and Nicole Omillo, and these three were nothing short of endearing.

Rosaldo and Omillio respectively captured Elesi and the female lead's idealism slash naivete beautifully. Although I wish Omillo's vocals had been given more stage time, her two(ish) songs convinced me that the lady has got some pipes on her.

Meanwhile, if you ever needed proof that CJ Navato has left behind his Goin' Bulilit days, this is it. He carries himself with such dignity and bravado that it is easy to believe he is some gentleman from a bygone era, ergo perfect for the role. His character was the closest to a caricature, but somehow his portrayal had real humanity. And when he belts out a song, his voice is distinct and unapologetic. There was no denying his presence.

But hands down, the star of the show was Boo Gabunada who played the story's big baddie. I'm calling it: Gabunada was made for this role.

He perfectly captured the spinelessness, evil, and cunning needed for the part. Every time he was on stage, whether as a background character or the main speaker, Gabunada's expressions and movements, no matter how small and subtle, made you look. His portrayal of the character's desires lived in his sinister glances, snake-like movements, his haunting countenance. By the end of the performance, I had a moral dilemma: How is this villain my favorite character, hands down?

I guess the best way to enjoy Liwanag sa Dilim is to fully suspend your disbelief. Take the material as it is—obnoxious surprises included—and let it run its course. Enjoy the beautiful set design, the occasional witty banter, and superb acting and singing. Because how else do we make the most of a Rico Blanco musical that took the man's music and lyrics but left out the heart? 

Liwanag sa Dilim runs from March 7 to April 13, with shows every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza. Tickets start at P2,200 and are available online. For more information, visit 9Works Theatrical's Facebook page.

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