Teatro Pinas Review | Tanghalang Pilipino's - Pingkian: Isang Musikal

Pingkian, a musical inspired from the story of Emilio Jacinto, the brains of the Philippine revolution in the last 1890s, had a rerun on its second year at the Black box theater of Tanghalang Ignacio Jimenez, Pasay City last September 12, 2025. The stage setting was dramatic even upon entering with the raised platform and hanging fabric at the upper walls of the black box room. The usual national anthem was played at the beginning, before the show started. There were two parts of the show, the Philippine revolution meetings with Emilio Jacinto and followers, and a dream of a different future for Emilio Jacinto, who died in his young age of 20s. 

The first part was effective in creating a dark depressing gloomy scenario prompting the urge for a revolution. It was dramatic and down disturbing, capturing the sentiments of even a new audience. The stage lighting, decor, costume, makeup, music, and choreography complemented the mood. One can also notice an exhibition-worthy iconic scene where the cast form a cluster with the young Jacinto carried above for a revolutionary charge, and reminds history enthusiasts about the international exposition entries of the Philippines with the ilustrados in the 1800s. Another unique element is the stereotype rock song that helped moderate the heartbeats of the audience drawn to the scene.

Hope is served for the first scene when the dream of a different future is played in the second part. In the second part, Jacinto was guided by three important women, namely his mother who emphasized education over a revolution impulse, a Dr. Jose Rizal portrayed as a woman who contradicted the idea of Jacinto in the revolution over a chess match to demonstrate the lack of maturity in the matter, and finally Jacinto’s lover Catalina portrayed with a grown-up daughter who aspired for education and profession as a means to help society. The second part was not only a shift from dark to light hues but also turned the stage into a magical capsule with the enlightened songs and extended voices echoed in the room. It was a continuous admiration to see light slowly built in the mindset of the young Jacinto - a richness in character development within the short period of the scenes. The play also provided a response to the question on what happens after one of the brains died young. The leaving message focusing on inner humanity is timeless for the generation today after a hundred years since Filipinos worked for Philippine independence. Audiences will agree that this rendition deserves recognition in a local and global state, a classic play for many generations. “Beautiful!” is an expression to describe the show.

Emilio Jacinto was known as Pinkian meaning to spark, as the supreme leader of the revolution, the Katipunan. He wrote the Kartilya ng Katipunan, a creed, like a biblical set of commandments, that guided acts for the members. He had other writings that inspire his ideals on the revolution and the Philippine independence. Pinkian is a must-watch for communities with a similar condition, a young brain challenged in the advent of social issues, and the importance of education. It is also piece worthy for the creativity of Filipinos in the theater industry.

Star Powerhouse Original

Review: Abigail Ko

Photos: Dave Crucena