Before the emergence of hugot and modern love in Filipino films, an entire generation of Filipinos bawled their eyes out as Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz threw heartbreaking lines against each other and tried mending their broken relationship in the Cathy Garcia-Molina film One More Chance.
Now the classic film will become a musical courtesy of the stalwart theater group Philippine Educational Theater Association, which announced on 22 October, during the closing night of its latest musical Walang Aray, that it was developing the material into One More Chance, The Musical.
What's more, the upcoming show opening in April 2024 at the PETA Theater Center will use the music of Ben&Ben, one of the country's most popular contemporary bands, adding another layer of pop relevance to the production.
Gio Gahol and Marynor Mademasila, who acted as star-crossed lovers in Walang Aray, a modern adaptation of Severino Reyes' classic sarsuwela Walang Sugat, teased the announcement of the new production by recreating an iconic scene from the Star Cinema movie.
Then out came Ben&Ben who performed their hit songs "Kathang Isip" and "Araw-Araw," throwing the
closing-night crowd into a frenzy.
Following Walang Sugat's successful run, PETA made its upcoming production social media-official.
"Natapos man ang love story ni Tenyong at Julia, simula naman ng kwento nina Popoy at Basha. Kamay sa dibdib, mga mangingibigs! WALANG AARAY dahil muli tayong IIBIG sa susunod na handog ng PETA…" said its post, along with a photo of Ben&Ben surrounded by the Walang Sugat stellar cast.
PETA has produced over 500 plays in the last 55 years, among them the acclaimed musicals Care Divas, Three Stars and a Sun and Rak of Aegis. One More Chance is in good hands with PETA as it transitions into a brand-new musical that can bring devotees of the beloved movie as well as a new generation of fans into the theater.