Save the Date: Tanghalang Pilipino's Mabining Mandirigma Returns for One Night Only
The steampunk musical heads to the Metropolitan Theater this June.
by Leana Vibal
Published on May 18, 2026
(SPOT.ph) Heads up, theater bugs: Tanghalang Pilipino is bringing back its multi-awarded musical Mabining Mandirigma for a one-night-only performance this June.
Just in time for Independence Day, the steampunk musical returns to the stage—this time at Manila Metropolitan Theater. The special 7 p.m. performance is now open for public ticketing via Ticket2Me, with ticket prices starting at P499 for students and P1,200 for regular-paying adults.
What is Mabining Mandirigma all about?
For the uninitiated, Mabining Mandirigma follows the life of Apolinario Mabini and how he used his intellect and unwavering principles to urge Filipinos to rise above class, regional divides, and self-interest in the pursuit of nationhood.
Originally staged in 2015, the musical went on to bag 12 Gawad Buhay Awards, including Outstanding Original Musical. The story traces Mabini’s journey from a young intellectual from Lipa, Batangas, to becoming one of the key figures of the revolution and an adviser to President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898, before culminating in his death at age 38 in 1903.
The play features an ensemble from the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, with Shaira Opsimar playing a gender-bent version of the late "Utak ng Himagsikan." It also stars Arman Ferrer as Emilio Aguinaldo, Tex Ordonez-De Leon as Dionisia, and MC Dela Cruz and Roby Malubay as the Ilustrados.
This is the third time this staging has been made available for audiences. Following its March 2026 debut in celebration of the musical's 10th anniversary, Mabining Mandirigma also had a one-night-only run in Iloilo back in April before returning to NCR for this Manila show.
Catch Mabining Mandirigma at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila this June 12. Tickets are available online at Ticket2me. For more information, visit Tanghalang Pilipino's Facebook page.
Also read:
Your Ultimate Guide To Theater Shows in the Philippines in 2026
PSA: Free Tours of the Manila Metropolitan Theater Are Now Available Starting This Month
Leana is Spot's go-to for Arts & Culture and Things to Do. On any given day, she’s either glued to her screen—or gliding underwater like the mermaid she swears she is. Contact: leana@spot.ph