When a mall in Makati was set on closing down for renovation last April, Repertory Philippines was one of those establishments that was affected, losing its home for over two decades. Six months later, the theater company finally found its new home in Eastwood City in Quezon City—the Eastwood Theater—marking another milestone for REP.
During the launching of the theater, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ first vice president and head Graham Coates described that the partnership between REP and Megaworld is not just a simple relocation but also represents a meaningful collaboration that contributes to the vibrant cultural tapestry of the local theater community.
“We are very thrilled to welcome Repertory Philippines to its new home here in Eastwood City. We are honored to be part of its noble journey of elevating Philippine theater and its continuing commitment to shine the spotlight on the world-class talents of Filipino actors and playwrights,” said Coates.
“We are also offering plenty of enjoyable ways for Repertory’s patrons and theater enthusiasts to extend their experience right after the final curtain falls with Eastwood City’s accessibility and its dynamic restaurants, shops, and leisure offerings,” he added.
Megaworld’s parent company Alliance Global Group’s president and chief executive officer echoed this statement emphasizing REP’s legacy in terms of performing arts.
“We’re honored to have Rep because it’s an institution already. When you talk about performing arts in the Philippines, it’s Repertory. It has created a legacy for the last 57 years, producing the best shows. We’re quite committed to the performing arts. We believe that this is the future of Philippine entertainment. We believe that Filipino actors are very versatile in the way they act and sing. What’s needed is a serious investment in the facilities and infrastructure to develop more this art form,” said Tan.
Tan also revealed that Megaworld Corporation aims to establish the Philippines as the “Broadway of Asia” following the completion of major infrastructure developments in the Westside City township in Parañaque City.
“That’s why one of the things that our company would like to do in the next five years is we want to develop what we’d like to call the Broadway of Asia. We’re building a place called Westside City up in the Bay Area. We’re putting there, among other things, the Grand Opera House, which is a 2,100-seater theater,” he continued.
Meanwhile, REP’s president and CEO Mindy Barredo Perez-Rubio described the partnership as “written in the stars” and was bound to happen.
Celebrating its 57th year of bringing arts and entertainment together, REP also took the opportunity to officially launch its 464th production, Jepoy and the Magic Circle, an original production based on the short story of Gilda Cordero – Fernando’s The Magic Circle.
The play follows the story of a young boy, Jepoy, who lives with his mother, Aling Barang, and their dog, Galis, at the edge of a vast forest. What begins as an ordinary laundry day quickly turns into an extraordinary adventure when Galis snatches a dress and runs into the woods. As Jepoy follows, he stumbles into a magical realm brimming with legendary Filipino characters and creatures who are fighting for the preservation of their home.
Jepoy and the Magic Circle will run at REP Eastwood Theater until February 2025.
