Why we can't stop watching PETA's Rak of Aegis online

It will be a delight for OPM fans to get back to Villa Venezia and relive the story of Aileen, Ken, Mary Jane, Kiel, Jewel and the rest of their neighbors singing the songs of Aegis in Rak of Aegis, one of my most loved musicals from the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). Now, everyone will got the chance to see it as it will be streamed online on July 31, August 1, 7 and 8, 2021 via www.ticket2me.net.

This run is a fundraising drive to help PETA's community of dedicated artists survive that has been greatly affected by the pandemic. The lack of shows, events, workshops and the painful layoff of artists, staff, and crew made them decide to do this initiative in this trying times.

Rak of Aegis' story has a similarity in today's pandemic that Aileen (Aicelle Santos), Tolits (Pepe Herrera), Ken (Poppert Bernadas), Mary Jane (Isay Alvarez), Kiel (Robert Sena) and the rest of Villa Venezia who faced a challenge by helping each other during a calamity -- a scenario which is very similar today that needs to be addressed as everybody are struggling their ways to survive in the crisis brought by COVID-19.

Pepe Herrera (Tolits) and Aicelle Santos (Aileen)

Isay Alvarez (Mary Jane) and Robert Sena (Kiel)

Poppert Bernadas as Ken

It is also a celebration of OPM music, with the songs of rockband Aegis that crosses the borders of social class. This online show will feature subtitles, and yes, you can sing-along to the top of your lungs octaves higher than Luha, Halik, Sinta, Basang-basa sa Ulan and more. The drama, humor, music and messages of hope, resiliency, family and community will now be available to everyone who wants to see it around the world! 

Tickets are now ON SALE when you visit www.ticket2me.net and choose the following pay-per-view options:

• Livestream at Php 350 - 8:00 P.M to 11:00 P.M. (Philippine Standard Time)
• Video On Demand at Php 500 - 24-hours streaming from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. the next day (Philippine Standard Time)
• Video on Demand Premium at Php 1,000 - 24-hours streaming from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. the next day (Philippine Standard Time) plus exclusive access to the Rak with Aegis LIVE virtual concert on August 8, 8:00 P.M., featuring the Aegis Band and select cast of Rak of Aegis.

Get full Rak of Aegis experience with an Aegis concert! 

You can also help PETA and the artists and keep the arts alive by donating through their bank and Gcash accounts below:

For bulk tickets and partnerships, contact Mitch Go, mitchgo@petatheater.com, 0917-5391112. For more information, follow PETA’s social media pages: Facebook www.facebook.com/petatheater; Instagram @petatheater; Twitter @petatheater; YouTube www.youtube.com/petatheateronline or visit www.petatheater.com/rakofaegis.

*images courtesy of PETA

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PETA's RAK OF AEGIS to stream soon

Gawad Buhay's multi-awarded musical from the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) comes to your home screens soon!

Rak of Aegis will stream for pay-per-view on ticket2me.net on July 31, Aug. 1, 7, and 8.

Written by Liza Magtoto, the musical features songs by the rock band Aegis such as Sinta, Luha, Christmas Bonus, Rockin' in the Cities, Munting Pangarap, Halik, Mary Jane, Basang-basa sa Ulan and more. 

The musical follows Aileen who dreams of becoming famous by posting song covers online. As she pursues her dreams she also helps her perennially flooded urban community. The musical opened on Jan. 31, 2014 and its most recent run closed on Sept. 29, 2019.

Directed by PETA Artistic Director Maribel Legarda, with musical direction, arrangement, and vocal direction by Myke Salomon, principal cast members from the past seven seasons include Aicelle Santos, Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, Isay Alvarez Seña, Robert Seña, Kakai Bautista, Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, and Ron Alfonso.

The online stream is the banner project of PETA’s #TakePETAbeyondCOVID fundraising campaign.

 

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RAK: 4th run and it's still fresh

Rak of Aegis makes its fourth run starting tomorrow, June 17 at the PETA Theater Center and it gives new additions to the 11-time awardee at the recently concluded Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards.

Director Maribel Legarda keeps experimenting on the show that really doesn't disappoint viewers show after show. In fact, each show is never the same as the previous one that also keeps the audience coming back and getting surprised with the cast's ad libs. I love how each one of them can inject humor but still catch the essence of the musical.

The family of Rak grows bigger and bigger with new cast. And PETA is proud to announce the inclusion of OPM icon Renz Verano as Kiel in the cast. A newcomer in the theater industry, hope that he'll give you more electrifying rendition of Aegis songs. He replaces Robert Sena and alternates with theater actor Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano. Adding more powerhouse cast, The Company's Sweet Plantado makes her role as Mary Jane replacing Isay Alvarez-Sena and alternates with Kalila Aguilos. New Tolits will be played by Benj Manalo, and the ensemble is joined by thespians Teetin Villanueva, Via Antonio, Raflesia Bravo and Roi Calilong.

Renz Verano plays Kiel in Rak of Aegis

They're also featuring Sayang Na Sayang, another high-pitched song from Aegis and I am really curious on how they are going to insert it in the repertoire. I'm guessing that it will be on Kiel and Mary Jane's exchange. If you're not familiar with the song, here it is in videoke version:
Para Kay Aileen is also featured in the musical. Is this intentionally made for the musical? Cool.

Rak of Aegis plays tonight until August 16 from Tuesdays to Fridays (8PM) and Saturdays and Sundays (3PM and 8PM). Totalling 62 shows for this run only, adding to the 100+ shows from the previous run, only at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City.

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Rak is Back and nominated for 17 Gawad Buhay Awards

2014 Aliw Awards Best Musical Rak of Aegis gets another run starting from June 16 - August at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. The show that gets a standing ovation and sold out runs brings back the story of Aileen who searches for fame online to get to the Ellen show in order to help her family in a community submerged in flood.

The show continues to make more than 130 shows from the previous 3 runs. In this run, new cast were added for a bigger family picture and they will now feature Sayang na Sayang as an additional song. Shows are scheduled at Tues - Thursday (3PM) and Fri - Sun (3PM and 8PM)

As we enjoy the repeat of Rak, the company is also rejoicing in the 17 nominations in the upcoming PhilStages Gawad Buhay Award. 2 of which were automatically won because of being the lone nominee in such category. Congrats guys!

Outstanding Original Libretto - automatically won
Liza Magtoto, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Musical Direction
Myke Salomon, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Choreography for a Play or Musical
Gio Gahol, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Costume Design
Carlo Pagunaling, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Sound Design
Myke Salomon and Happy Constantino, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Set Design
Mio Infante, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Female Lead Performance in a Musical
Aicelle Santos, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)
Joan Bugcat, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)
Kim Molina, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Female Featured Performance in a Musical
Kalila Aguilos, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Male Featured Performance in a Musical
Pepe Herrera, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)
Jerald Napoles, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)
Myke Salomon, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)
Juliene Mendoza, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical
Maribel Legarda, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical
“Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Original Musical - automatically won
“Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

See the complete list of nominations here.

For ticket inquiries and show buying, you may contact the PETA Theater at 725-6244 / 410-0821 / 0917-5765400. You may also email petatheater@gmail.com or visit www.petatheater.com.

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2 Aileens back in December RAK OF AEGIS!

Aicelle Santos and Kim Molina back-to-back in the December rerun of PETA's blockbuster theater hit, Rak of Aegis. The show begins December 5 until 14 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. The two ladies play the roles of Aileen, a young promodizer caught in the knee-deep flooded streets of Villa Venizia, thinking she can make it big by recording herself singing amidst the floods and uploading it on Youtube, hoping that she will be discovered by Ellen Degeneres and making it to stardom.

Kim Molina, known from her win as Senior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World in the 2009 World Championships of the Performing Arts had auditioned too from other productions like Atlantis' Tarzan apart from joining singing contests. She admires the discipline of theater actors. More so, getting the part in Rak made her sing her heart louder with Aegis' birit-songs. Confessed Aegis fan, she had her training when she was little.

"Siyempre nong bata kapag gusto kang bumirit ng tatay mo, kung hindi Regine, edi Aegis!" 

Kim was discovered by Aicelle playing a character in Ghost the Musical and comes back for another rerun of Rak.

"Coming from the first run, sobrang ganda diba? So at least mapantayan, that’s the pressure that I feel ngayon, the pressure na to give whatever I could.”

Much like the character she plays, Kim is a loving daughter and a dreamer; she relates to Aileen’s hopes of making it big and helping her family.

Also coming back in the cast are Abi Sulit, Gab Pangilinan, Gio Gahol as the members of the ensemble, Jimmy Marquez as Jewel, Oj Mariano as Kiel, Arnell Ignacio as Fernan. The cast still includes members from the original run, Kalila Aguilos, Kakai Bautista, Neomi Gonzales, Jerald Napoles, Pepe Herrera, Myke Salomon, Poppert Bernadas, Nor Domingo, Julienne Mendoza, Ron Alfonso, Phillip Palmos, Gold Villar, Gimbey Dela Cruz, Jet Barrun, Paeng Sudayan, Carlon Matobato and John Moran.

Rak of Aegis features the songs of Aegis like Basang Basa sa Ulan, Luha, Halik, Sinta and more. For ticket reservations go to www.ticketworld.com.ph, or call TicketWorld at 891-9999. You may also contact PETA at 725-6244 or 0917-5765400 or email petatheater@gmail.com.

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6 Things you didn't know about RAK OF AEGIS

If you're a super fan like I am, there are details that really caught your attention and be ready to catch these bits during the rerun of Rak of Aegis this December 5-14 at PETA Theater Center.

1. The Footwear - Since Villa Venizia supposedly gets their income in the shoe industry before the flood happened, you'll see Jewel's well-adorned designer boots. From the play to the curtain call, you'll have a fiesta of colors and style made by Maco Custodio who is a trained shoe engineer with a degree in Industrial Design from University of Sto. Tomas.
2. What is Baha Jos? Remember some impromptu moments when the cast gets random people from the audience? (I wish I was one of them) A sip from the bottle of Baha Jos adds more excitement when people assumed that it came from the flood water. It is absolutely clean and even QC Mayor Herbert Bautista gets to drink from it.
   
3. The cast is frequently seen at the lobby waiting for their cue. Take a short break in between acts and you'll see the cast roaming around. Sometimes, even Kenny grabs a bite at the food stalls.
4. Musical Director and Kenny, Myke Salomon voices these lines before the play and during break time.
   

   This is to remind you that EATING, SMOKING, and DRINKING are three RHYMING WORDS.

   The musical is not a sing-along dahil baka mas alam mo pa ang lyrics kesa sa cast. Edi sana, NAG-AUDITION ka nalang.

   Ang sino mang mahuhuli na lalabag ay ipupullout sa upuan at papakantahin ng HALIK o LUHA ng 3 OCTAVES HIGHER mula sa original key.

5. The flood water is clean. No worries about dengue outbreak after the show because the water is treated with chlorine to avoid mosquito breeding. PETA also set up a citronella garden adding a refreshing smell and protects us audience too.
   
6. No two shows are the same. Director Maribel Legarda gives the cast the liberty to give their own adlibs without compromising the story, to punch a funny line. This can be noticed by people who watched the show more than once.
   

Catch Rak of Aegis at the PETA Phinma Theater as your Christmas treat this December 5-14, 2014. For ticket reservations go to www.ticketworld.com.ph, or call TicketWorld at 891-9999. You may also contact PETA at 725-6244 or 0917-5765400 or email petatheater@gmail.com.

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