ICYMI: PETA is looking for the Next Popoy and Basha
You could be Popoy, Basha, or the Thursday Barkada in PETA’s upcoming musical, bringing the film classic “One More Chance” to the theater stage, featuring the music of Ben&Ben.
by Marian Luisa Palo
Photos from Philippine Educational
Theater Association (PETA) Facebook page and IMDb
November 22, 2023
Screenshot from Star Cinema’s Youtube Channel
Bringing the cult-classic love story of Popoy and Basha and the heartwarming music of OPM folk-pop band Ben&Ben together, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) sets up the theater stage for “One More Chance, The Musical,” featuring the Music of Ben&Ben.
PETA announced on their Facebook page last November 20 that they are opening a casting call for film and acting enthusiasts interested in gracing the theater spotlight as the characters of Popoy, Basha, and the Thursday barkada, along with other ensemble characters.
In an era where ‘hugot culture’ persists in every conversation and where situationships, second-chance relationships, and more ‘-ships’ telling every story of love, healing, and forgiveness are a thing (even self-love!), the timeless film sure is a treat for the Filipino audiences, all the more that top-charting, nine-piece OPM band Ben&Ben famous for hits like “Araw-Araw” and “Kathang-Isip” is set to give tune to the much-awaited comeback of Popoy and Basha.
According to their post, aspiring actors must submit 16 bars, or one stanza and one chorus, singing the best part of any Ben&Ben or any OPM song. They must also submit four bars of choreography to any contemporary modern music. The full list of requirements can be seen on their official social media account.
The casting call is set to close on November 26 at exactly 11:59 p.m., while live auditions will take place from December 4 to 5 at the PETA Theater Center.
In case you’re new to the classic, “One More Chance” is a 2007 film that starred the story of a college couple, Popoy (John Lloyd Cruz), and Basha (Bea Alonzo), navigating through their relationship and ambitions in their rollercoaster-of-emotions love life. “One More Chance” was followed by a sequel in 2015, “A Second Chance,” which answers the ‘what if’ and tells the ‘what’s next’ of Popoy and Basha’s reality-stricken affair.
From Left: One More Chance (2007), A Second Chance (2015). Screenshots from Star Cinema’s Youtube Channel
So, if you’re ready to bring the real-life feels to the iconic lines like “She had me at my worst, you had me at my best, at binalewala mo lang lahat ‘yun” or “Sana ako pa rin. Ako na lang… Ako na lang ulit,” all while tearing up to the moving hits of Ben&Ben, this might be your time to shine!
