Cast of ‘Delia D.: A Musical’ featuring songs of Jonathan Manalo
‘Delia D.: A Musical’ featuring the songs of Jonathan Manalo goes on extended run until June 28 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, Pasay. Additional performances are on June 14, 8 p.m. and June 15 at 3 p.m., with special encore shows on June 28 at 3 and 8 p.m.
“This is not another jukebox musical,” Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, associate director, replies when asked what to expect from Delia D.: A Musical. “Instead, we’ve crafted a hybrid musical that celebrates Jonathan Manalo’s biggest OPM hits while introducing brand-new, original songs that audiences will hear for the first time.”
Delia D. is the newest production from Full House Theater Company (FHTC), Newport World Resorts’ production outfit. With the creative teams behind popular musicals Ang Huling El Bimbo and Buruguduystunstugudunstuy and music from the multi-platinum, OPM producer Jonathan Manalo, Delia D. is a musical for the whole family to look forward to.
The plot centers around Delia D., a drag queen, who wants to reach stardom like the divas she worships. With a talent for impeccable impressions, a lipsync assassin in a league of her own, Delia D. signs up for Idols of the Galaxy, a singing competition that would launch her to stardom. But the biggest obstacle that stands in her way is that she can’t sing!
Phi Palmos as Delia
The cast, which has a number of LGBTQ+ members, expresses their delight in seeing a character who is openly queer being the main character of a Filipino production. Though it’s not the first time a queer character is represented in Philippine theater, it’s still one more queer Filipino character added to a terribly short list.
Delia D. isn’t made out to be a comic relief or relegated to the role of the main character’s best friend. Rather, she’s three-dimensional, and goes through very human, relatable struggles. Phi Palmos, the lead, says how touched he was to play a character like Delia D., adding that he wants the titular role to be something that gay kids would aspire to perform—he had nothing like that for him when he was younger. “Audiences will see themselves in Delia—a drag performer who refuses to let obstacles dim her shine.”
Artistic director Michael Williams points out, “It’s campy, it’s comedic, it’s dramatic, but more than anything, Delia D. is about resilience, family, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.” The team stresses that the musical is for the whole family to enjoy, and there’s plenty for audiences of all ages to take away.
‘Idols of the Galaxy’ contestants played by Alfritz Blanche and Natasha Cabrera Cruz as Billy and Sheryn, Mogg, Palmos, Opsimar, and Uddin
D’ Divalettes
Having watched the musical, I now face the question: Is it worth the watch? Yes!—but….
This musical is family-friendly and feel-good. If you are looking for something grittier and darker, you should probably look forward to another production. It’s fun, electric, and engaging, and its opening number captures your attention. Watching it, I felt the excitement bubbling up within my chest. Phi Palmos’ runs and belting out were goosebump-inducing, and seeing a main character unapologetic about his queer identity was something I realized I had yet to see on such a large stage.
Tex Ordoñez-De Leon as Mamon and Shaira Opsimar as Kiki
Family and friends of Delia
The choreography is also a marvel. A stand-out moment is in Act 1, in the audition, where Delia D.’s drag mother, Mama Eme, and fellow drag sisters swing her around in cheerleader-like fashion. It feels like a uniquely Filipino moment; I believe you’d rarely see that in international musicals. There are more quirks of Filipino culture in the musical. Songs range from ballads to “diva-off” songs with high notes and long belting out.
For a Filipino GenZ like me to see an openly queer character as main character, and not simply reduced to a caricature, is monumental in Philippine theater
But at the center of it is its story of family love, friendship, and persevering through our mistakes and fears—all in a shiny pink diva package!
The only gripe I have is how certain characters and plot twists feel a bit off. Some portions feel underdeveloped—like we, as the audience, need to put in a little more work to fill in the gaps. Certain twists don’t settle right, given the show’s breezy pace or at times rather drawn out. But the songs more than make up for it every time I feel my attention wander (not often).
At the end of the day, though, I can hardly criticize the musical, as I now have a soft spot for Delia D. for its heavy emphasis on and celebration of queer culture.
Joann Yap Co and Joshua Cabiladas as Anet and Jose, respectively
Phi Palmos and Omar Uddin
Floyd Tena and Phi Palmos as Sir T and Delia, respectively
For a Filipino GenZ like me to see an openly queer character as main character, and not simply reduced to a caricature, is monumental in Philippine theater. Delia D., though initially marketed for drag queen talents for views, is more than comedic relief, more than a “perfect representation” (an idea which can be just as harmful or reductive). She is a person through and through. She has her flaws, her struggles, her triumphs, and is even given the room to fall in love and have her heart broken.
What especially resonated with audiences on the night I went to watch was when Mama Eme scolds Delia D. for seeing herself as “a drag queen lang.” Because, to Delia, being a drag queen is an honor in and of itself. Being a drag queen is a heavy crown to wear, but something that should be lauded and celebrated.
This sentiment rings true especially now as millennials, GenZ, and even Gen-Alpha are searching for more diverse and interesting stories. It is a cry for representation, and I’m glad to see that Delia D. is putting that out there. Is it a perfect representation? No. But diversity calls for imperfect representation. Diversity is not just a box to tick off. It is ever-changing and fluid, just as the people being represented are.
It was an honor to see Delia D. on its first run, and I look forward to seeing it perhaps for generations to come. I hope that Delia D. is the start of many more queer-centric musicals, or even just as starting point for stories that just happen to have queer people in them, because, though being queer is important, it is not our entire identity. At the end of the day, all the Filipino LGBTQ+ community asks is to be done justice to onstage like Newport, and maybe even bigger ones.
Like, how about an international tour?
‘Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo’ goes on extended run until June 28 at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, Newport City, Pasay, with additional performances on June 14 at 8 p.m. and June 15 at 3 p.m, with special encore shows on June 28 at 3 and 8 pm. Tickets are available on TicketWorld, HelixPay, and Newport World Resorts Box Office: PHP 3,500 (SVIP), PHP 3,000 (VIP), PHP 2,500 (GOLD), PHP 1,800 (SILVER), and PHP 1,000 (BRONZE). For inquiries, contact Customer Care at 7908-8888 or 0917-872-8237 or email info@fhtcentertainment.com. For bulk purchases and show buyers, reach out to the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via James Rodriguez at 0917 829 2173 or Jan Paulo San Jose at 0917 810 5031.
