Iconic Women’s Stories, Reimagined for the Stage
A slate of female-led musicals this year showcases women as revolutionaries, artists, and cultural icons. These contemporary musicals reinterpret the stories of iconic women whose narratives transcend generations yet remain relevant.
Words Niña Olaso
Art by Nic Vinco
September 19, 2026
Art by Nic Vinco
For women on the Philippine stage, 2026 has blossomed into a year of multifaceted women as revolutionaries, artists, and cultural icons. These women return to retell their stories, this time through the perspective of contemporary theatre.
This year’s theatre slate offers a diverse lineup, from internationally recognized stories to local productions, and even fictional women to cultural and historical icons. These theatrical works unfold their stories through romance, family, revolution, music, and dance.
Women as artists and cultural icons
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan is a jukebox musical that follows the journey of Gloria Estefan, a reluctant performer, in discovering her extraordinary gift as a musician and becoming an international music icon. Alongside her other half, Emilio, she conquered the music industry and built a legacy that continues to resonate with the modern audience.
One of the main highlights of this year’s theatre slate, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live sa Cheter! just concluded its run last August 16. This installment tackles Philippine theater itself and the challenges it faced in its signature satire.
This musical was particularly anticipated by many theater enthusiasts as actress Eugene Domingo once again takes the spotlight, as she also starred in the previous installments.
Another classic piece in Philippine musicals, Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical is on its way to star on the theatrical stage as it features a woman who struggles to become who she envisions herself to be, but eventually embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
Women navigating identity, love, and family
A new original, Muli: An OPM Musical, is a compelling mother-and-daughter story that is set in the 1990s and early 2000s, exploring missed opportunities, love and loss, and the unsettling questions of “what-ifs”.
A literary adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ famous novel and film will sweep your heart away as The Notebook The Musical takes center stage. The story follows how one summer whirlwind romance unfolds into a lifetime of commitment, sacrifices, and heartbreak all at once. Born into privilege, Allie finds herself caught between her family’s expectations and the love of her life.
A two-female-lead theatrical production, Sayaw ng mga Ilaw, takes a different approach. Set during the Martial Law era, it follows two sisters who navigate the grief for their father’s loss and family ties by learning Padanggo dance, which symbolizes finding one’s way through the dark. Laya, the younger sister, realizes that the love and strength of a family also serves as a guiding light in the dark.
Women reclaiming history
Female revolutionary-centered, Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinoy Pop Musical, makes its way to a reimagined musical, following her transformation into the “Lakambini of the Katipunan” alongside Andres Bonifacio, her love interest and partner in revolution.
Another female revolutionist, Gabriela Silang, will shine as the production of Gabriela Silang: The Musical goes beyond her role as one of the most iconic female revolutionaries, including the exploration of her indigenous Itneg roots. Set in the 1762 historical events, the musical will introduce her not just as Diego Silang’s widow, but as one of the notable figures at the core of the revolution.
Originating from different backgrounds, eras, experiences, and stories, these musicals show that women are anything but one-dimensional. While they hold familiar names, their stories are reimagined to resonate with contemporary audiences and are viewed through a new lens to show the role of these women over the past decades.
This year, women of the Philippine theatre are not simply occupying the center stage, but they are retelling the stories of women who have loved, dreamed, fought, lost, and won.
