Rico Blanco awed by 'Liwanag sa Dilim' musical reimagining his songs

OPM icon Rico Blanco was left in a state of awe after witnessing "Liwanag sa Dilim," a musical by 9 Theatrical Works that masterfully weaves his iconic songs into its narrative. The experience, he admitted, was nothing short of transformative.

"I’m still processing everything that happened. Hell of a story—that’s all I can say. I can’t really say more than that," Blanco shared in an interview following the performance.

The musical, which reimagines his beloved tracks, took him on an unexpected emotional journey.

While aware of the musical's premise, Blanco was unprepared for the depth and power of its stage rendition. "I didn’t really expect that. I knew the premise, but I didn’t know how it was gonna go. It was really cool," he said, clearly impressed.

Throughout the performance, Blanco was completely engrossed, appreciating the actors' brilliant portrayals, the innovative musical arrangements, and the fresh interpretations of his songs.

"I was just really focused on what was happening and following everything that was going on on stage—the brilliant acting, the singing, and the musical arrangement. Just hearing my songs for the first time in this new context, I’m still processing it," he explained.

The musical offered Blanco a unique perspective on his own songwriting, breathing new life and meaning into his compositions.

"I’m kinda proud that I wrote those songs and what they’re singing. And after seeing what they did with it—with the songs—almost all the songs were arranged differently, and it’s so cool to see them used in a different way to tell a different story from what I originally dreamt and planned when I was writing those songs. Some songs became the opposite of what I meant them to be used for. Ang galing!" he exclaimed.

When asked about the message audiences could glean from "Liwanag sa Dilim," Blanco emphasized the immersive experience it provided.

"Nadala ako sa ibang universe, eh. And I suppose, personally, we all go through life, stress, and whatnot. This was a really nice escape for me—to get transported to this universe. It’s something other people can experience. It’s not here forever. That’s the magic of musicals—you really have to catch the show," he said.

"Liwanag sa Dilim," a testament to the enduring power of Rico Blanco's music, is set to run at RCBC Plaza in Makati from 7 to 23 March, offering audiences a chance to experience the magic for themselves.