#philippine book festival

[ilaw-at-panitik]

Everything I got from this year's Philippine Book Festival.

[gerilya]

PHILIPPINE BOOK FESTIVAL 2025 Flat Latex paint on Canvas 8 ft x 8 ft (Diptych) Live Mural Art for @nbdbphilippines and @nccaofficial, together with the National Committee on Visual Arts Mega Trade Hall 3, SM Megamall 2025

[jeffreybower]

Your Week in Books #19

The Philippine Book Festival, Jeremy Renner, James Baldwin, and OpenAI in this week’s edition Continue reading Your Week in Books #19

[akocomyk]

📚

[shainnehost]

The Philippine Book Festival is happening this 2023!

The Philippine Book Festival is the largest traveling book festival in the Philippines! Happening on June 2-4, 2023 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and on August 18-20, 2023 in SMX Davao. See you there!

[an--ony-mous]

"Kapag alam mo na kung kailan ka mamamatay, makakapaghanda ka," sabi ko. "Gagawin mo na lahat ng gusto mong gawin."

Tumawa si Raya nang malakas. "Dante, kung ikaw 'yong tipo ng tao na kailangan muna ng mga ganyan bago gawin ang gusto mong gawin, hindi kamatayan ang problema mo."

Halaw sa Hoy, Pong! ni Macky Cruz, 2023.

[mariellaolden]

POETRY ZINE DEBUT IS REAL !?

My poems were chosen to be published as a poetry zine for the first time by Bente-Bente Zine as part of their Volume 3: Panitikan ng Kababaihan! ✨

Avail "Hide in The Misery" and other zines at an affordable price and support Filipina authors this Philippine Book Festival 2025 at SM Megamall - Megatrade Hall, Booth B014 from March 13-16!

Happy National Women's Month! 💜✊

#AbanteBabae #PhilippineBookFestival #PBF2025

[thatboypeeju]

It's my first time attending the Philippine International Comics Festival, and I feel so lucky! This year marks the festival's return to an in-person format after four years of being held online.

I've always had a deep appreciation for visual art and animation, but much of the media I've consumed has been from other cultures. My book blog, Pinoy Page Turners, has provided a creative avenue to nurture my passion not only for literature in general but also to foster my love for local narratives and artworks.

The blog has become a driving force that inspires me to connect with local stories and the artists and publishers behind them. It has also led me to find kindred spirits in the form of book club mates. Together, we embark on activities that keep the child in me alive and introduce the people who matter to me to the things I love.

Thank you for supporting my blog and joining me on this journey! Here's to more bookish events and discoveries!

-PJ 🍊

[balisongvlog]

VP Duterte Commends National Book Development Board's Role in Enhancing Literary Skills and Book Industry

In an address delivered on Friday, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed admiration for the pivotal role played by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) in elevating writing and reading competencies, while also contributing to the growth of the local book publishing sector. Speaking as the keynote speaker at the Philippine Book Festival held in Davao City, Duterte underscored the…

[thisismeracing]

hii i hope ur having an amazing weekend! happy vegas gp <3

can i pls request a filipino reader dating carlos hcs (like what u did w the charles hcs) we fili cs55 girlies need more. we yearn for more 😭🙏

i looove ur work pls never disappear from the face of tumblr🧎‍♀️

hi, baby! happy vegas gp!!! <3 here you go! hope you like it *mhwa*

CARLOS DATING A FILIPINO GIRL | CS55

Warnings: mentions of food; tooth-rotting fluff; mentions of family members; not proofread.

A/n: Just a quick reminder that there are many shades, experiences, and backgrounds when it comes to Filipinos and their culture, what I am writing does not resume everything, but rather brings a piece of it to the table. <3

▸ my masterlist | my taglist | patreon guide▸ support my writing by reblogging, leaving a comment (don’t forget to follow me if you like the piece), or buying me a coffee)

This man LOVES to hear you speaking Filipino. Most of the time he doesn't understand a thing, but he loves the sonority of it. It becomes a thing to read for when he's anxious. He'll pick Filipo books based on the cover or he'll stash his favorite titles but in Filipino and you'll read for him while playing with his hair;

Maybe that's how he learns a few words, by listening to you. So when you travel to meet your family, he knows the basics, and he even praises your dad on the cooking;

Speaking of food, Carlos becomes obsessed with Filipo's cuisine. What do you mean Pandesal is literally bread with salt but tastes like heaven and melts like clouds in your mouth? (He'll definitely say 'pandesal' with a Spanish accent and you think it is the most adorable thing);

His favorite dish is probably Okoy. But he loves Filipino soups and stews and will ask for them when he's sick (your nana told him she made it for you when you were young, and now he wants to experience those small things too);

Since there's Spanish influence in a lot of traditions, you both like to read a bit more about where it came from and how it used to be;

You took him to the Philippines during the Pahiyas Festival, and Carlos kept pointing to all the colors and things and saying how beautiful it looks;

There was a wedding in your family a few months into the relationship and since Sainz had already met your family they invited him. He stays glued to your side the first moments and asks a few questions that get your ears perked up, like if he could wear a Barong Tagalog or if it would be disrespectful if there could be a traditional wedding between a Filipino and a person from a different country and so on;

In the second half of the party, Carlos disappears with your siblings and cousins, to dance and make small talk with your family;

He'll definitely catch the bouquet and give it to you with the biggest smile on his face;

Carlos will suggest the Philippines as your next vacation destiny and even hint about a honeymoon somewhere there.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.30

Holidays

Benediction de Los Animales (Blessing of the Animals; Mexico)

Check For Change In Every Coin Return You Pass Day

Cheshire Day (UK)

Demilitarization Day of Åland (Finland)

Festival of Reality Fabrication

15th Amendment Day (Effective; 1870)

Golf Course Day

Grass Is Always Browner on the Other Side of the Fence Day

Homeless Persons Day (Russia)

"I Am In Control" Day

International Day of Domestic Workers

International Day of Zero Waste (UN)

International Laundry Folding Day

Jeopardy Day

Land Day (Palestine)

Limited Liability Day

National Badminton Day [also 3.22]

National Dining Car Day

National Doctors’ Day

National Film Day (Indonesia)

National Fitness Recovery Day

National Indexing Day

National Pencil Day

National Virtual Vacation Day

Newman Day (a.k.a. Newman's Day, 24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.) [Kenyon College] (also 4.24 & Friday nearest 1.26)

School Day of Non-Violence and Peace (Spain)

Shab e-Barat (Night of Records; Bangladesh)

Sicilian Vespers Day

Smoking Ban Day (NYC; 2003)

Spiritual Baptist/Shouter Liberation Day (Trinidad and Tobago)

330 Day

Torrents Day

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

World Bipolar Day

World Own Nothing Day

World Perspective Day

World TB-303 Appreciation Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

A Hot Dog Is A Sandwich Day

National Bass Day (UK)

National Hot Chicken Day

National Hot Dog Day [also 3rd Wednesday of July & 9.10]

Turkey Neck Soup Day

World Idli Day (India; UK)

Nature Celebrations

Hairy Bitter Cress Day (Cardamine birsuta)

Scotch Broom Day (Attractive; Korean Birth Flowers)

Take A Walk In the Park Day

Independence, Flag & Related Days

Alaska sold to the U.S. (by Russia; 1867)

Florida (Territory created; 1822)

New York (Assembly of NY Communities called; 1691)

Texas (Re-Admitted to the Union; 1870)

New Year’s Days

Iranian New Year [Continues 13 Days with bonfires, eggs & mirrors]

Telugu New Year (India)

Ugadi (Kannada peoples; India)

5th & Last Sunday in March

European Summer Time begins (EU) [Last Sunday]

International Internet-Free Day [Last Sunday]

National Bible Sunday (Philippines) [Last Sunday]

Neighbour Day (Australia) [Last Sunday]

Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]

Souper Sunday [Last Sunday of Each Month]

Sultry Sunday [Last Sunday of Each Month]

Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]

Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]

World Leprosy Day [Last Sunday]

Weekly Holidays beginning March 30 (4th Week of March)

None Known

Festivals On or Beginning March 30, 2025

Cavalcade Remich (Remich, Luxembourg)

Carnival of Pétange (Pétange, Luxembourg)

Cuban Sandwich Festival (Ybor City, Tampa, Florida)

New England Restaurant & Bar Show (Boston, Massachusetts) [thru 3.31]

Semana Santa (Nicaragua) [thru 4.1]_

SNAXPO 25 (Orlando, Florida) [thru 4.1]

ZagrebDox (Zagreb, Croatia) [thru 4.6]

Feast Days

Aequinoctium Vernum, Day 4 (Pagan)

Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy (Christian; Saint)

Celebration of the Marriage of Inanna and Dumuzi (Mesopotamian; Day 10 of Akitu)

Dabucuri Mirtis, (Initiation Rites of the Young Men; to Jurupari, South American Guarani/Tupi God)

Dana Plato Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Day of Bau (Goddes of Healing; Mesopotamian, Sumerian)

Feast of Janus and Concordia (Ancient Rome)

Festival of Bast (Cat Goddess; Ancient Egypt)

Festival of Renenutet (Ancient Egyptian Harvest Festival)

Festival of Salus (Roman goddess of health, prosperity & public safety)

Galen (Positivist; Saint)

John Climacus, the Scholastic (Christian; Saint)

Leonard Murialdo (Christian; Saint)

Ludolf (Christian; Saint)

Magha Puja Day (Buddhism)

Mamertinus of Auxerre (Christian; Saint)

Maria Restituta Kafka (Christian; Saint)

Nuin (Ash Tree; Celtic Book of Days)

Osburga (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Pagerwesi (Festival to San Hyang Pramesti Guru, god of teachers and creator of the universe; Bali)

Poke Things with a Pencil Day (Pastafarian)

Poke Things with a Stick Day (Pastafarian)

Quirinus of Neuss (Christian; Saint)

Ram Navami (Rama’s Birthday; Hinduism)

Regulus (or Rieul), Bishop of Sculls (Christian; Saint)

Rieul (Christian; Saint)

Sacred Union of the God and Goddess (Mesopotamia; Everyday Wicca)

Thomas Son Chasuhn, Marie-Nicolas-Antoine Daveluy (part of The Korean Martyrs)

Tola of Clonard (Christian; Saint)

Zak (Muppetism)

Zozimus, Bishop of Syracuse (Christian; Saint)

Fourth Sunday in Lent (Western Christianity) (a.k.a. ... 

Bretzelsonndeg (a.k.a. Pretzel Sunday; Germany, Luxembourg)

Carnaval de la Laetare (Stavelot, Belgium)

Laetare Sunday (Anglicans, Lutheranism, Roman Catholicism)

Mothering Sunday (UK)

Refreshment Sunday

Rose Sunday

The Sunday of the Five Loaves

Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan; Islam; 30 Ramadan) (a.k.a. …

Aid el Fitre (Chad)

Aîd-eI-Fitr (Côte d'Ivoire)

Aïd el Fitre (Djibouti, Gabon, Tunisia)

Aid-El-Fithr (Burundi)

Aïd el Segheir (Burkina Faso)

Bajramit të Madh (Lesser Bajram; Albania)

Djouldé Soumaé (Cameroon)

Ed'Al Fetir / Eid Al-Fater (Eritrea)

Eid al Fitr Holiday (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana , Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malawi, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen)

Eid-Ul-Fitr (Sierra Leone)

End of Ramadan Holiday (Egypt)

Idd el-Fitr (Uganda)

Iddi El Fitry (Tanzania)

Ide el Fitr (Comoros, Mayotte)

id el Fitri (Nigeria)

Idi Ramazon (Tajikistan)

Ied-Ul-Fitre (Suriname)

Koriteh (Gambia)

Korité (Bénin, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Niger, Sénégal, Togo)

Orozo Ait (Kyrgyzstan)

Ramadan Bairam (Sudan)

Ramadan Bajram (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Ramazan Bajram (Macedonia)

Ramazan Bayram (Azerbaijan, North Cyprus)

Ramazan Bayramy (Türkiye)

Ramazon Hayit (Uzbekistan)

Uraza-bairam (Bajrami i Madh, dita e parë; Kosovo)

Lunar Calendar Holidays

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 2 (Wu-Xu)

Day Pillar: Earth Dog

12-Day Officers/12 Gods: Danger Day (危 Wei) [Auspicious]

Holidays: None Known

Secular Saints Days

John Astin (Entertainment)

Warren Beatty (Entertainment)

Tracy Chapman (Music)

Robbie Coltrane (Entertainment)

Marc Davis (Art)

Fortunato Depero (Art)

Jean Giono (Literature)

Francisco Goya (Art)

Ted Heath (Music)

Norah Jones (Music)

Sean O’Casey (Literature)

Anna Sewell (Literature)

Tom Sharpe (Literature)

Vincent Van Gogh (Art)

Paul Verlaine (Literature)

J. R. Williams (Art)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Lucky Day (Philippines) [37 of 71]

Prime Number Day: 89 [24 of 72]

Premieres

Alice in Wonderland or What’s a Nice Kid Like You Doing in a Place Like This? (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Special; 1966)

Art and Illusion: A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation, by E.H. Gombrich (Art Book; 1960)

Beauty Shoppe (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1936)

Beetlejuice (Film; 1988)

Bitches Brew, by Miles Davis (Album; 1970)

Blades of Glory (Film; 2007)

Boo Hoo Baby (Casper Cartoon; 1951)

Boston Symphony Orchestra (Band; 1881)

Bowery Daze (Krazy Kat Cartoon; 1934)

The Calico Dragon (Happy Harmonies Cartoon; 1935)

Candida, by George Bernard Shaw (Play; 1894)

The Champion (Aesop’s Film Fable Cartoon; 1924)

Chariots of Fire (Film; 1981)

Confederate Honey (WB MM Cartoon; 1940)

The Cow’s Husband (Mutt & Jeff Cartoon; 1919)

Dr. Bluebird (Columbia Favorites Cartoon; 1958)

Everybody Wants Some! (Film; 2016)

The Eyes Have It (Donald Duck Disney Cartoon; 1945)

The Fairly OddParents (Animated TV Series; 2001)

Fisherman’s Luck (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1945)

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (Film; 1984)

Heap Big Hepcat (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1960)

Hippydrome Tiger (WB LT Cartoon; 1968)

I’m Mad (WB Animaniacs Cartoon; 1994)

It’s My Party, recorded by Lesley Gore (Song; 1963)

Jeopardy (TV game Show; 1964)

Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (WB Animated Film; 2019)

Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny (Novel; 1967)

Los Angeles County Art Museum (Museum; 1965)

The Lost City of Z (Film; 2016)

The Man on the Flying Trapeze (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1934)

Meet the Robinsons (Animated Film; 2007)

Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York Art Museum; 1880)

Moon Knight (TV Series; 2022)

Old Mother Hubbard (ComiColor Cartoon; 1935)

Orphan Black (TV Series; 2013)

Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Edition (Dictionary; 1989)

Popeye for President (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1956)

Queensboro Bridge (NYC Bridge; 1909)

Robinson Gruesome (Chilly Willy Cartoon; 1959)

Romancing the Stone (Film; 1984)

Scrappily Married (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1945)

Selling England by the Pound, by Genesis (Album; 1974)

Sign o’ the Times, by Prince (Album; 1987)

Sinfonia da Requiem, by Benjamin Britten (Symphony; 1941)

Spitfire (Film; 1934)

Springtime for Thomas (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1946)

Spy Kids (Film; 2001)

The Story of Art, by E.H. Gombrich (History Book; 1950)

TableTop (Web Series; 2012)

Ten Pin Terrors (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1953)

Tighten Up, by Archie Bell and the Drells (Song; 1968)

Tom Thumb (Ub Iwerks ComiColor Cartoon; 1936)

Today’s Name Days

Amadeus, Dodo (Austria)

Amadeus, Bogoljub, Leonard, Zosim (Croatia)

Arnošt (Czech Republic)

Quirinus (Denmark)

Pille, Sibülle (Estonia)

Usko (Finland)

Amédée (France)

Amadeus, Diemut (Germany)

Zalán (Hungary)

Amedeo (Italy)

Ilgmaris, Ilgmars, Larisa, Nanija (Latvia)

Ferdinandas, Gvidonas, Meda, Rusnė, Virmantas (Lithuania)

Holger, Olga (Norway)

Amelia, Aniela, Częstobor, Jan, Kwiryn, Kwiryna (Poland)

Ioan (Romania)

Vieroslava (Slovakia)

Juan, Zósimo (Spain)

Holger, Holmfrid (Sweden)

Adin, Adon, Adonia, Adonis, Amada, Amadea, Amadeus (USA)

Today’s National Name Days

National Becca Day

National Julia Day

National Victoria Day

National Wendy Day

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 89 of 2025; 276 days remaining in the year

ISO Week: Day 7 of Week 13 of 2025

Celtic Tree Calendar: Fearn (Alder) [Day 13 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Geng-Chen), Day 2 (Wu-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Snake 4723 (until February 17, 2026) [Ding-Chou]

Coptic: 21 Baramhat 1741

Druid Tree Calendar: Hazel (Mar 21-31) [Day 10 of 11]

Hebrew: 1 Nisan 5785

Islamic: 30 Ramadan 1446

Julian: 17 March 2025

Moon: 3%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 5 Archimedes (4th Month) [Galen]

Runic Half Month: Ehwaz (Horse) [Day 1 of 15] (thru 4.9)

Season: Spring (Day 10 of 92)

SUn Calendar: 30 Green; Lastday [30 of 30]

Week: Last Week of March

Zodiac:

Tropical (Typical) Zodiac: Aries (Day 10 of 30)

Sidereal Zodiac: Pisces (Day 16 of 30)

Schmidt Zodiac: Pisces (Day 10 of 26)

IAU Boundaries (Current) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 19 of 38)

IAU Boundaries (1977) Zodiac: Pisces (Day 19 of 38)

Calendar Changes

Ehwaz (Horse) [Half-Month 7 of 24; Runic Half-Months] (thru 4.9)

Nīsān (a.k.a. Abib) [נִיסָן‎] (Hebrew Calendar) [Month 1 of 12]

[ilaw-at-panitik]

The Philippine Book Festival is back! It will be on April 25th-28th at World Trade Centre, Pasay City. Register here for free, but walk-ins are welcome too!

Follow the National Book Development Board Instagram page for more information. Images from NBDB Instagram page.

[filipinfodump]

Kabesang Tales - Isang Rap en Rol Musical

A Filipino Musical that hasn't left my mind since the mid 2010s

Poster for Kabesang Tales posted by Palakat Batangas City via Facebook

Although the Philippines is known for its many talented singers which include many that had crossed over to Broadway such as Lea Salonga, and Rachelle Ann Go, alongside many other Filipino-American talents like Conrad Ricamora, Arielle Jacobs, George Salazar, and Darren Criss just to name a few, the musical scene in the Philippines itself isn't as popular nor as successful in the country as it really should be.

Even with Filipino-majority musicals in states like the controversial Broadway musical "Here Lies Love" which narrates the life story of Imelda Marcos, one of the most controversial figures in Filipino politics and history today, and with Filipino stars often taking in lead or secondary roles in major productions, the musical boom of the 2010s did not come with a boom for the musical industry in the local level compared to the sudden popularity of American musicals like Hamilton, Heathers, Dear Evan Hansen, or Be More Chill to name a few.

The very few musicals that did garner the spotlight did not receive the same notoriety of these foreign productions save for one of the few musical movies to have gotten major media acclaim Loy Arcena's Ang Larawan (2017) (en. The Portrait) based on the 1997 play of the same name by National Artist Nick Joaquin which became a media frenzy as being maybe one of the few if not the only original movie not based on major series or created by a large production company to be released that year for the Metro Manila Film Festival. One of the things that had skyrocketed it to media attention was the fact that most theaters did not screen it and it was only shown in very few cinemas, but that's a story for another time.

Despite the time and devotion Filipino musical fans may have for theatre, rarely do Filipino made and produced musicals ever enter the pop culture zeitgeist due to many factors like the lack of advertising, accessibility issues, and honestly the lack of cast recordings. Out of the many throughout the 2010s, one of the few I was able to watch that I still think about at times is Ricky Lee's very own rap and rock musical Kabesang Tales.

Background

Photo of Ricky Lee, the writer of Kabesang Tales the Musical via Inquirer

Kabesang Tales - Isang Rap en Rol Musical) (en. Captain Tales - A Rap n' Roll Musical) is a rap and rock musical first performed in the year 2015 and was written by renowned Filipino writer and National Artist Ricky Lee. The musical was directed by Alejandro "Bong" Ramos, with music by Jeffrey Hernandez and Alfredo Ongleo, and produced by Red Lantern Production (Inquirer, 2015).

Photo of John Arcilla, the lead actor for Kabesang Tales the Musical via Inquirer

The musical stars John Arcilla as the titular character Telesforo Juan "Kabesang Tales" De Dios, famously known for his breakout role as Hen. Anotnio Luna in the historical film Heneral Luna released the same year as the musical, alongside other talents such as Dio Marco as Karyo, Kevin Posadas as Tano de Dios, Alecx Lorica as Juli De Dios among many other talented actors (Inquirer, 2015).

A cover of one of the book's translations posted by twitter user El Filibusterismo (@/joseriz15155899) via X/Twitter

The play is based on Jose Rizal's El Filibusterismo (en. The Filibuster) and more specifically, the character of Kabesang Tales, the head of his barangay (a sort of Filipino village) and father of Basilio's main love interest Juli, who had turned into a guerilla bandit after his family and life were ruined by the Spanish friars. He becomes the feared Matanglawin (en. Hawkeye) who terrorizes the countryside. He plays a minor but important role in the books, being the father of one of the main secondary characters as well as being one of the main allies of the primary characters as they tried to start a revolution in the country.

The play primarily focuses on his perspective throughout the whole book with some scenes focusing more on the main protagonists Simoun and Basilio as well as his daughter Juli.

Performances and Releases

The musical had limited performances throughout some parts of the CALABARZON Region or Region IV-A, with some select performances in Metro Manila as well as some other provinces like in Mindoro, sometime during the years 2015-2017 with some being done in local cultural centers and schools throughout the region with very limited promotion outside of news stories.

The only promotional material I could really find are some posts on Facebook and a trailer in the Red Lantern Production's YouTube channel which could be seen here:

Trailer uploaded by Red Lantern Production via YouTube

There are no original cast recordings that I could find of any of the songs and the only material that I could find besides this are uploads on YouTube of scattered scenes from different parts of the play:

Full Playlist uploaded by YouTube channel pheejaypi here

I was also able to find a collection of clips of Karyo, a character possibly named after Karyo from Mga Ibong Madaragit which is a continuation novel of the El Filibusterismo written by Amado Hernandez, played by Terrence Guillermo.

Video uploaded by YouTube channel pinoy music maestro here

I remember some time in the 2010s seeing uploads of members of the cast singing in interviews I believe but I could no longer find any of these videos.

As of now, it is unknown if the production will ever come back with the last post on the Facebook page having been in 2021 with a post prior to posted on July 2019 calling for auditions in August 2019, possibly hinting that there was a planned 2020 tour for the musical before the pandemic hit.

Photo of the audition announcement posted on Facebook

The Plot (mostly from memory)

As there's barely any material of the live musical, I'll do my best to recollect what I could remember with the aide of the actual books to guide me. Of course, spoilers for Rizal's books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo if you haven't read them.

The plot follows the events of El Filibusterismo but mainly from the perspective of the titular character Kabesang Tales. It begins with an extremely happy and optimistic scene with him, his family, and barangay as well as the visit of Basilio, Tales's daughter's lover to their house. I remember that there was an extremely cheesy song here between the two that a lot of people squealed over.

Photo of the mentioned musical number between Basilio and Juli posted by Jayson Pascua

The perspective switches over to Basilio and his visit to his mother's grave where he is shocked to see a man there who is revealed to be the thought to be dead fugitive Crisostomo Ibarra who now goes by Simoun, a jewelry merchant from the United States. The two have a bit of an argument where Simoun tries to convince Basilio to join him and his rebellion and I don't recall exactly if there was a song, but it seems likely.

Perspective switches back to Tales as tragedy strikes as his entire family gets struck with malaria resulting in the death of his wife. I don't remember all the details here or if there was a song, but I remember a sort of depressing atmosphere for the rest of this part.

Photo showing all of the actors playing the De Dios Family posted by Jayson Pascua

The family struggles with money and friars come over to cause even more problems for them. There's a rap battle here between Tales and a friar. Here starts his downward spiral as he struggles to make ends meet as well as handle the friars that had been trying to gain his land. I don't recall if it's shown that he has to pay for a lot of lawyers, but he starts paying more and more for legal fees because of the legal drama with the friars and the government.

My sister tells me that there's a song about how good the friars are before they get properly introduced and I have a hazy memory of three friars wearing varied outfits typically associated with friars posing for the stage as people sing songs of praise and goodwill. My sister tells me that Basilio was in the ensemble here.

His son, Tano, gets drafted to the Guardia Civil (en. Civil Guard) and sent to the Caroline Islands because Tales could not pay money to prevent his draft due to their financial struggles. This is shown as a heart wrenching scene in the play where the rest of the family is left distraught.

He starts guarding his property in fear of bandits possibly taking his fields and taking whatever he has left.

Tales then gets taken by these bandits who demand ransom money for his return. There he meets Karyo, one of its leaders who tells him about the struggles of the working class and why he and the others had resorted to being bandits in the first place (?). I don't actually remember if this is the first they meet or what since I do remember that the two have a philosophical discussion about violence later and that Karyo is definitely a member of the bandits but there are scenes where he acts as the emcee during Tales's rap battle with the friar.

The bandits later lets him go back to his family where he finds that he has no one left.

Juli, in order to help with her family's financial struggles as well as pay for her father's ransom, leaves home and asks for loans and find work.

If I'm not mistaken, his father Tandang Selo goes mute with the grief of the continuous tragedies that had struck the family as well. It's hard for me to remember if this was shown in the musical.

When Tales returns, he finds himself at a loss for what has happened to his family. He is left with his daughter forced to work and his father mute. He is then met with Simoun, who comes to him as a jeweler. Simoun tempts him with some ideas of radicalization against the friars and he refuses at first before spiraling further and joining Karyo and his bandits, becoming the feared Matanglawin.

I genuinely don't remember if his meeting with Simoun was also in the musical or not but it's important context for the story.

The musical then switches perspective to Basilio, who gets implicated with a conspiracy against the government and gets arrested. A heartbroken Juli goes to Padre Camorra, a creepy priest that's been trying to corner her, to beg for his help since she saw no one else that could help her. This leads into a rather intense scene acted in shadows and lights where it is heavily implied that Juli gets assaulted.

After this, Juli sings a song about her assault where she contemplates getting revenge or retaliating but instead chooses to jump off to end her life.

The scene switches back to Tales who, unlike in the books, meet with his son again who has returned to the Philippines. This one, I know had a song in it since I remembered the extreme daddy issues punk rock vibes the scene gave off. He sang about how he no longer respected his father and that it's too late to repair things if I recall as he's now a bandit and he's a member of the Guardia Civil.

Photo of the confrontation between Tales and Tano where Tano sings about his frustration with his father posted by Jayson Pascua

Desolate and distraught at the loss of his family, Tales gets visited by a diwata (a forest spirit/fairy) and this part was extremely out of left field and absolutely not in the books.

Here, the diwata shows Tales visions of the future (???) and directly tells him, without any sort of subtlety, that the working class, and especially farmers like him, will continue to struggle in his country in the future. He is then shown a scene of farmers in a protest who were then taken down by police in what I remember as riot gear. He contemplates the future and is further given resolve to continue his rebellion.

Photo of the mentioned scene where Tales first meets a diwata who will later send him to the future posted by Jayson Pascua

Photo of the mentioned scene where Tales is sent to the future by a diwata to witness farmers being taken down by cops in riot gear posted by Jayson Pascua

Another photo of the mentioned scene where Tales is sent to the future by a diwata to witness farmers being taken down by cops in riot gear posted by Jayson Pascua

I need to cut in and say that this was so on the nose and is by far the weirdest and personally maybe the worst part of the show. I'm not even against the message, it just ruined my immersion and just left a weird taste in my mouth. I think the play was doing a plenty good job driving that point across already without the time travel diwata scene but maybe that's just me.

The scene cuts back to the climax of the story where Basilio, distraught over then death of Juli, finally joins Ibarra as they plant a bomb in a wedding reception that the Governor-General of the Philippines was attending. The scene plays out like it was in the books where the lamp gets tossed out by Isagani and the revolution doesn't start.

It goes back to a scene of Tales and his men trying to fight the Guardia Civil where he is shot and killed in action, by the gun of his own son. Tano realizes what he has done and is horrified. This leads to a song which later leads to a finale that sings about Tales as the cast come together for the curtains to close.

Photo of the mentioned scene where Tales is shot and killed by his son Tano posted by Jayson Pascua

Another photo of the mentioned scene where Tales is shot and killed by his son Tano posted by Jayson Pascua

The musical ends and the cast is called on to the stage one by one, with the loudest applause going to Basilio who a lot of the girls found hot, and of course, the man himself, Kabesang Tales.

Photo of the closing song with Tales being shown front and center posted by Jayson Pascua

After the play and final thoughts

Ricky Lee actually attended the performance I watched and I remember so many people crowding around the actors to get their autographs. My sister bought one of Ricky Lee's book, his script writing guide "Trip to Quiapo" and had it signed but she genuinely can't find it anymore sadly. My sister also got the autograph of some of the actors and the director on that same book so I'm a little miffed that we can't find it.

I would discuss more things and even show off my old ticket but I'm pretty sure that I would end up doxxing myself if I speak any more details.

That's all I remember from it and I would love to say more or even discuss the songs but as you can see, I could barely remember them, with only maybe a solid grasp in about maybe four songs.

It's a shame that it doesn't have as much of an established release and media presence because despite that one glaring issue I had with the weird diwata scene, I quite enjoyed the musical and it remains one of the few that I actually got to experience live.

It isn't Les Miserables or Hamilton, but it's still a musical I'll probably fondly remember especially since El Filibusterismo is one of my favorite books of all time with the character of Kabesang Tales being one of the most interesting — a man of honor and virtue who slowly descends into extremist violence because society had failed him. It's sad to see this musical barely recognized and very little talked about today and I do hope that it will one day return to the stage.

References

Introduction

Palakat Batangas City. (2015, May 29). "The Batangas City Government and Red Lantern Production present Ricky Lee’s KABESANG TALES - Isang Rap en Rol Musical." [image]. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://web.facebook.com/palakat.batangascity/photos/a.1543377512565520/1636600273243243/?type=3&_rdc=1&_rdr

Background

El Filibusterismo (@joseriz15155899). (2019, November 13). "#TheFilibuster Ventura's salvificact made Rizal gave his original manuscript of El Filibusterismo, a pen and an autograph printed copy." [image]. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://twitter.com/joseriz15155899/status/1194459895657041920

Inquirer. (2015, December 12). John Arcilla stars in Ricky Lee ‘rap en rol’ musical ‘Kabesang Tales’. LIFESTYLE.INQ. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/215824/john-arcilla-stars-in-ricky-lee-rap-en-rol-musical-kabesang-tales/

Inquirer. (2015, August 29). Ricky Lee writes rap, hip-hop libretto for new musical ‘Kabesang Tales’. LIFESTYLE.INQ. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/204943/ricky-lee-writes-rap-hip-hop-libretto-for-new-musical-kabesang-tales/

Lee, R. (2015, August 29). Ricky Lee: “I have been longing to do a musical, music being a driving passion in my life.” PHOTO FROM RICKY LEE [image]. LIFESTYLE.INQ. Retrieved on 17 February https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/204943/ricky-lee-writes-rap-hip-hop-libretto-for-new-musical-kabesang-tale

Red Lantern Productions. (2015, December 2012). John Arcilla. PHOTO FROM RED LANTERN PRODUCTIONS [image]. LIFESTYLE.INQ. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/215824/john-arcilla-stars-in-ricky-lee-rap-en-rol-musical-kabesang-tale

Performances and Releases

Kabesang Tales - Isang Rap en Rol Musical. (2019, July 27). Picture of the audition announcement posted on Facebook [image]. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://web.facebook.com/kabesangtalestherockmusicale/photos/a.459803204196123/1309076952602073/

pheejaypi. (2016, October 3). Kabesang Tales: Isang Rap en Rol Musical clip 1 [video]. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jftRyZOpxAA&list=PL1Yv-w-s-ETvRYsDWtaMPw2q0QO0q8Nfc

pinoy music maestro. (2021, January 1). Kabesang Tales excerpts feat. John Arcilla and Terence Guillermo [video]. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlOkDi8_D_A

Red Lantern Production. (2015, August 15). Kabesang Tales Trailer [video]. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CKKJsuBiuc

Plot

Pascua, J. (2015, October 11). Various photos [images]. Retrieved on 17 February 2024, from https://estranghero.weebly.com/photo-blog/john-arcilla-on-ricky-lees-kabesang-tales-isang-rap-en-roll-musical

[jeffreybower]

Your Week in Books #20

Vibal and Blush Books acquisitions, Erin Entrada Kelly, the Ateneo Press Review Crew, Arundhati Roy and more in this week’s edition. Continue reading Your Week in Books #20

[bookloure]

Philippine Book Festival 2023 Haul! ✨ | Out of all the book fests/fairs I've attended, this was my favourite! I've yet to go through my photos and videos from the event, so flatlay muna for now.

[hopeonmyphone]

BTS’ J-Hope Announces First Solo Tour ‘Hope On The Stage’: Details [Forbes]

After much speculation, J-Hope of BTS officially announced his first-ever solo tour.

Set to begin at the end of February, the 30-date Hope on the Stage trek spans major cities in Asia and North America, making live history as the BTS rapper-dancer-producer steps into the solo spotlight.

The tour kicks off with a three-night stay at Seoul’s massive KSPO Dome from February 28 to March 2, marking J-Hope’s first standalone concerts in his home country. From there, Hobi heads stateside, performing multiple nights at iconic venues such as New York’s Barclays Center and Chicago’s Allstate Arena. Notably, in April, J-Hope becomes the first BTS member to headline a stadium show solo when he plays Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium and also the first Korean soloist to book the LA stadium, solidifying his status as a pioneering force in his group and K-pop at large.

Out of respect for the large-scale wildfires in California, BTS’ official accounts shared that more details for the tour’s North American leg will come later.

Although Hope on the Stage marks the star’s solo touring debut, J-Hope is no stranger to commanding massive audiences. In 2022, he became the first-ever South Korean artist to headline a major U.S. music festival at Lollapalooza. His solo material also offers a wealth of options for his setlist, ranging from his acclaimed 2022 solo album Jack in the Box (which peaked at Number 6 on the Billboard 200), to fan favorites collaborations like “On the Street” with J. Cole and “Chicken Noodle Soup” featuring Becky G (the latter of which saw him become the first member of BTS to send a single the Billboard Hot 100 chart), as well as material from his 2018 Hope World mixtape (which still charted in the Top 40 on the Billboard 200 despite being released for free and only in digital formats).

More recently, J-Hope dropped the Hope on the Street Vol. 1 EP and an accompanying six-part docu-series last March that explored the roots of his inspiration and passion for street dance.

J-Hope’s tour comes shortly after completing his 18-month mandatory military service. Upon his discharge in October 2024, J-Hope has kept a lower profile by attending just a few fan events and other engagements. However, this tour signals the start of an exciting new chapter for the performer and his return to the global stage.

Though there has been no official announcement, fans speculate that new music may accompany the tour. If past releases like “Chicken Noodle Soup,” “On the Street,” or his “Rush Hour” collaboration with Crush are any indication, J-Hope will likely keep blending global sounds and styles that resonate with an international audience.

While ARMY fans eagerly anticipate BTS’ group comeback, long rumored for late 2025, J-Hope’s solo tour is a testament to the continuing creativity and ambition fueling the members during their hiatus. Following Suga’s Agust D World Tour in 2023, J-Hope’s tour adds another layer to BTS’s evolving legacy to further establish them as superstars, whether in a group or working solo.

J-Hope Hope on the Stage Tour 2025 Dates

February 28 - Seoul, South Korea @ KSPO Dome

March 1 - Seoul, South Korea @ KSPO Dome

March 2 - Seoul, South Korea @ KSPO Dome

March 13 - New York, NY @ Barclays Center

March 14 - New York, NY @ Barclays Center

March 17 - Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena

March 18 - Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena

March 22 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Palacio de los Deportes

March 23 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Palacio de los Deportes

March 26 - San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center

March 27 - San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center

March 31 - Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena

April 1 - Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena

April 4 - Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium

April 6 - Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium

April 12 - Manila, The Philippines @ SM Mall of Asia Arena

April 13 - Manila, The Philippines @ SM Mall of Asia Arena

April 19 - Saitama, Japan @ Saitama Super Arena

April 20 - Saitama, Japan @ Saitama Super Arena

April 26 - Singapore @ Singapore Indoor Stadium

April 27 - Singapore @ Singapore Indoor Stadium

May 3 - Jakarta, Indonesia @ Indonesia Arena, GBK

May 4 - Jakarta, Indonesia @ Indonesia Arena, GBK

May 10 - Bangkok, Thailand @ Impact Arena

May 11 - Bangkok, Thailand @ Impact Arena

May 17 - Macau @ Galaxy Arena

May 18 - Macau @ Galaxy Arena

May 24 - Taipei, Taiwan @ NTSU Arena (Linkou Arena)

May 25 - Taipei, Taiwan @ NTSU Arena (Linkou Arena)

May 31 - Osaka, Japan @ Kyocera Dome Osaka

June 1 - Osaka, Japan @ Kyocera Dome Osaka

As ARMY counts down the days to reunite with J-Hope in person on the Hope on the Stage world tour, one thing is clear: Hobi’s star continues to shine brightly on a journey to even greater heights as a solo superstar.

Source: Forbes