The psychological intensity and political tension of Anino sa Likod ng Buwan return to their theatrical roots as the debut stage production of IdeaFirst Live!, the live performance arm of The IdeaFirst Company. Set to run from March 1 to 23 at the PETA Theater Center, this adaptation brings Jun Robles Lana’s drama back to the stage after its cinematic transformation.
Written in 1993 when Lana was just 19, Anino sa Likod ng Buwan won first prize in the Bulwagang Gantimpala Playwriting Contest and was staged by Bulwagang Gantimpala (1993) and UST’s Artistang Artlets (1995). In 2015, Lana reimagined his one-act play as a psychological thriller told in a continuous, unbroken shot, starring LJ Reyes, Anthony Falcon, and Luis Alandy. Now, a decade later, the production reinvents itself yet again—this time as a stage play that uses the screenplay as its script, under the direction of Tuxqs Rutaquio.
Rutaquio recalls that as he read the screenplay, he was already envisioning how to bring it to life on stage. “Pero hindi nawawala iyung essence na ginawa ni Jun. Iba kasi iyung cinematic language eh. Siyempre hindi ko magagawa iyung close-ups and all that, so the challenge was, how can I equal that same effect on film sa stage. So iyun iyung talagang binuo namin for four months.”
Set against the backdrop of military operations in Marag Valley in the early 1990s, Anino sa Likod ng Buwan follows Emma and Nardo, refugees in an unnamed town that has been ravaged by the armed conflict between Philippine military and communist insurgents. Joel, an army soldier, regularly visits them under the pretense of camaraderie. One fateful night, as a lunar eclipse unfolds, their card game descends into a charged confrontation—blurring the lines between politics and friendship, love and lust, trust and betrayal.
For Rutaquio, staging this work aligns with his advocacy for original Filipino plays, particularly those that engage with history and social realities. “Advocate talaga ako ng mga original Filipino plays, especially straight plays na nagt-talk about a certain period of our history, and something that has power, and depth, and grit.”
Lana shares that he stepped back when the decision was made to turn the film into a stage play. “Umatras ako. Hindi talaga ako nakialam, because I really wanted to surprise myself and to re-experience and listen to it the way it was really meant to be seen as a stage material.”
Reflecting on the transition between mediums, he notes its distinct impact. “It’s so different from the film. It’s the film but at the same time it’s not the film. I mean it’s the exact lines, etc., pero magkaiba eh. Iba iyung take ng mga artista. Iba iyung take ng direktor. Kaya ibang iba siya.”
“You can watch the film and then watch the stage play and you get something different from each. And I think it’s a testament to the power of storytelling regardless of the medium.”
Beyond of its psychological and emotional weight, the play resonates deeply with contemporary issues. Vincent Pajara, who serves as an understudy for Nardo, reflects on its relevance: “Iyung materyal, ‘nung nabasa ko siya, talagang binubuhay iyung question sa utak ko na, ‘Lalo sa panahon ngayon, lalo ‘nung nanunungkulan pa iyung berdugo na nagtatag ng gera sa droga, kailangan ba natin iyung gera talaga para solusyonan iyung mga problema sa lipunan?’ Ganun kalalim iyung play.”
The cast features Martin del Rosario as Joel, Elora Españo as Emma, and Ross Pesigan as Nardo, with Edward Benosa, Denise Esteban, and Vincent Pajara as their respective understudies. Rutaquio also serves as set designer, working alongside John Batalla (lighting design), TJ Ramos (sound design), Justin Besana (poster design), and JB de Leon (photography).
Tickets to Anino sa Likod ng Buwan are P2,464 (Orchestra VIP Cushioned), P2,240 (Orchestra Center), P2,016 (Orchestra Side), P2,240 (Balcony Center), and P1,120 (Balcony Side), which can be purchased via Ticket2Me. The play is R-18.
Originally published on Theater Fans Manila.
