The Theatrical Spectacle of ‘Tales of the Manuvu’

In this restaged version of ‘Tales of the Manuvu,’ myth meets music as the play returns to the stage for the 2026 season.

Words Patricia Lanzagarita
Photos courtesy of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP)
February 24, 2026

Through the fusion of indigenous mythology, contemporary dance, and the rebellious yet addictive pulse of rock music, Filipino performance redefined how stories could be told onstage.

This is how ‘Tales of the Manuvu’ enchanted audiences every single time the red theater curtains drew open. Almost 50 years since 1977, that same enchantment, excitement, and wonder will return as Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) restages ‘Tales of the Manuvu,’ the first-ever rock opera ballet in the country.

The production, initially led by National Artists Alice Reyes and Bienvenido Lumbera, was inspired by indigenous folk traditions, narratives, and testimonies documented by anthropologist E. Arsenio Manuel.

With music masterfully crafted by OPM composer Dero Pedero, mixed with soundscapes from the rock band Afterbirth, ‘Tales of the Manuvu’ became a defining moment and exemplary stage in Philippine dance history, where tradition was blended with modernity.

‘Tales of the Manuvu’ magically translates and intertwines myth and ancestral memory into intricate movements, pulsing music, and theatrical spectacle.

With the new staging led by ARDP Ballet Master Lester Reguindin, featuring costume designs by Loy Arcenas and highlighting the lighting design by Barbara Tan-Tiongco for its 2026 season, the play is reimagined especially for contemporary audiences.

The play will retain its signature format of featuring live singers performing alongside dancers and a rock band, while ensuring that no two performances are exactly alike in form, style, and technique.

This is more than just a restaging; ‘Tales of the Manuvu’ is a homecoming—an invitation for the new generation to witness, discover, and appreciate how myth, movement, and music can unite in a mission to provoke, excite, and speak to the Filipino community across generations.

‘Tales of the Manuvu’ will open on February 27–28 at the University Theater, UP Diliman. The show offers free admission on a first-come, first-served basis before moving to the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati, for a limited run on March 28–29.