The special effects were magnificent! I know I talked about how fascinating the effects were in REP for Young Theater’s audiences previous production of Snow White, but they take it to a whole different level in Jepoy & the Magic Circle. It’s my favorite element of it all!
You should come and see what I mean. The portal that opens for Jepoy and his pet, Galis, to enter the plane where he gets to interact with all the magical forest and mythical creatures, was absolutely fantastic.
And there was also the scene when Jepoy runs through the forest to catch up to Galis. It’s sooo good, you have to see it!
I’m sure some of you may have seen such effects in international productions, but our local audiences deserve just as much excellence, and Repertory Philippines does not disappoint.
Of course, the production boasts of an extremely talented ensemble that brings the story home, but we all know that Repertory Philippines always, always, always deliver in this aspect. And with seasoned theater actress and director, Joy Virata at the helms of its direction, what can go wrong?
Exceptional Production
And the music! The fantastic music by Ejay Yatco. Yes, it’s fun, it’s catchy and very entertaining to listen to. But it’s also music that not only tickles young ears, but also caters to those in their 40s and beyond, like me. The music is quality and it is substantive – you’ll know what I mean when you hear it for yourself.
Between the script, the music, the effects and the choreography – the kinetic and dynamic choreography by Stephen Viñas – anybody can recognize that this is a well thought of production. I can only imagine how exciting the creative process must have been for those involved in putting this together.
Raven Ong’s costumes, as always, are eye candies. It’s like watching a rainbow come to life, dancing and prancing on stage. What I love most is how these costumes highlight the contrast between the real world and the mystical underworld (Did I catch that right? Are these creatures from the underworld?), all without losing an ounce of vibrance.
Kudos to the actors who had to maneuver around the gorgeous puppetry by Kayla Teodoro. And oh my gosh, the Kapre! I was honestly nervous for him as he made his way down the steps. But all good, the other characters were there to guide him. The Kapre was played by Hans Eckstein at the run we saw.
REPYTA’s Jepoy brings us home
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had to be intentional for my kids to get to know our local vendors—the magtataho, the newspaper guy, the fish vendor. They just aren’t as common as they were when I was growing up. Back then, these vendors would pass by our house, their calls ringing out like familiar tunes. But these days, it’s different. Many subdivisions have barred them from entering, and more exclusive neighborhoods are popping up. It feels like we’re slowly losing this part of our culture, especially in cities like Manila.
That’s why the very first scene, when the curtains go up and these local characters appear as the music streams in —it hits you right in the core. I know it sounds strange, but my husband and I started tearing up when that moment came on.
Sure, it might remind you of the village scene with Belle and the townsfolk in Beauty and the Beast (and yes, even the three Mariteses reminds you a bit of the three silly girls), but it brings you home. Here. To where we all belong.
At least, that’s how it felt for me.
Connect your kids to our culture
There are so many meaningful conversations you can have with your kids after watching the show. It’s not just about the introduction of endangered species in the opening scenes or the central message of how human actions can either help our environment thrive or lead to its destruction; as my 13-year old says, “it’s also light way of addressing social discrimination.”
That, and learning to embrace your unique purpose and your design.
There are some characters that I wouldn’t necessarily categorize under “forest creatures,” such as the manananggal, the tiyanak, and the tiktik, but they are essential part of Filipino folklore. They are part of our literature. They are part of our culture.
Along with the sirenas and siyokoys (mermaids), the diwatas (enchantresses), dwendes (dwarves), kapres and tikbalangs, etcetera.
My generation was familiar with these characters because they were in our local movies and in the stories we read. But we’ve all become so westernized that our kids are now much more familiar with zombies and vampires, werewolves, witches and wizards.
Case in point – Harry Potter. You know he’s a witch, yeah? Hello, flying broom!
Jepoy & the Magic Circle is a perfect way to introduce your children to Filipino literature and the beloved stories your lolas and yayas once told you. You can help them explore the story’s values and lessons, sparking meaningful conversations about the characters and their situations. It also opens the door to discussing the traditional Filipino way of life—a lifestyle they might no longer be in touch with today. It’s a huge opportunity to connect with them and to bond with them! (Whew! Homeschooling mom coming through, haha!!!)
Yhuan Gatbunton delivered a raw and endearing performance in the titular role of Jepoy. And that scene wherein Pacqui (Viñas) was teaching him how to find the portal back to the underworld? Adorable!
Francis Gatmaytan, as Galis in the real world, was definitely as main character in the show as his singing and dancing underworld counterpart, Cara Barredo. You’d think a character without any human lines would just be background material, but not this one.
And like I said earlier, the entire assembly of actors was phenomenal. With REPYTA, I think it’s safe to say by now that we can expect magic to happen each time you step into their world.
On the technical side, there were a couple of moments when the mics were briefly off—once with Aling Barang and another time with the dwarf. Despite that, my husband pointed out how skilled the sound technician was, as the music and sound effects were perfectly timed throughout the show.
There’s a moment in the story when Jepoy’s magical friends tell him that they begin to disappear when people forget them. Initially, this didn’t quite drive it for me in terms of the theme, so I looked it up and found that the message leans more on how we tend to lose things we take for granted, especially the most important ones. That if we neglect our environment and fail to care for it properly, we risk losing it entirely.
But that’s the most of my critique. Overall, it was an incredible show you and your kids don’t want to miss!
Jepoy runs ’til February next year!
REPYTA’s Jepoy & the Magic Circle is based on a Palanca winning story written by Gilda Cordero Fernando, adapted in English by Rody Vera. It is a story about a young boy who is treated as an outcast and discovers his purpose when he meets the creatures of the forest. In the process, he discovers how humans have been destroying nature and their homes.
The show opened last October 5 and will run until December this year, and resume production on January to February 2025.
The role of Jepoy is shared by Noel Comia Jr., Elian Dominguez, and Yhuan Gatbunton. Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante and Ring Antonio alternately portray Aling Barang, while Francis Gatmaytan and Cara Barredo play Galis.
Featured performances include Hans Eckstein, Julienne Mendoza, and Joey Vargas as the Kapre; 4 actors — Joshua Cabiladas, Stephen Viñas, Luis Marcelo, and Franco Ramos alternate for the role of Paqui; and Pinky Marquez and Abi Sulit take turns as Doña Geronima.
Rounding out the cast are Lance Soliman, Sean Nolasco, Monica Tulio, Ayla Garcia ,Paula Paguio, Chesko Rodriguez, Broey Divinagracia, Ado Villanueva, JV Fulgencio, Jae Valencia, Deo Dela Cruz, VJ Cortel, Kenny Isidoro, Jay Pangilinan, Chan Rabutazo, Dindo Divinagracia, Gabo Tiongson, Pablo Palacpac, Sebastian Katigbak, Ian Hermogenes, Bea Remollo, Jana Cabiladas, Katie Bradshaw, Alyanna Wijangco, Nyla Festejo, Jacqui Jacinto, Cheska Quimno, Meg Salud, Francesca Mata, Daniella Albano, and Ayam Eckstein
The rest of the creative team includes Cara Barredo as the Assistant Director, Mio Infante for the set design, Raven Ong and John Batalla for lighting design.
REPYTA’s Jepoy & the Magic Circle was staged at the REP Theater, City Walk, Eastwood. The run concluded in February of 2025.
Interested show buyers who’d like to know more about Repertory Philippines’ shows may contact them at 09626918540 & 09669054013 or promotions@repphil.org. Or you may reach out to them through their official Facebook and Instagram pages.
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About the author, May Palacpac:
May was the Grand Winner of #Sinag Financial Literacy Journalism Awards in 2016 (blogger category) and the editor of the books, Productive Pinoy and Right Start. She has works published in several magazines and websites here and abroad, such as Smart Parenting, Brighter Life Philippines, Weddings in Manila, SPIFF, Sip, Dangerously Fit Bootcamp, Choc Chip Digital and Massage Champions.
May is an advocate of homeschooling and alternative education for Filipino learners, and a staunch supporter of the arts. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at the De La Salle University – Dasmarinas. She is the creator of Fully Housewifed and Fully Housewifed Homeschool Podcast.
For reviews, collaborations and paid partnerships, email fullyhousewifed@gmail.com.
May Palacpac, Storyteller 
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