Gridcrosser: The Lasting Lure and Light of 'Maynila': Classic Novel and Film 'Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag' Set into a Musical

The cast and crew with director Joel Lamangan

Stories of people from rural areas, naively lured by the big, bright city lights, only to be disillusioned or met with tragedy, have been a perennial theme in many works, almost to the point of being hackneyed. But when Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, directed by National Artist for cinema Lino Brocka, came out in 1975, it was hailed for its searing social critique of its time and its unflinching depiction of urban corruption.

Maynila was based on the Edgardo M. Reyes’s novel Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag (In the claws of light), serialized in the leading Tagalog magazine Liwayway from 1967 to 1968, which was later published in book form.

The novel tells the story of Júlio Madiaga, who travels to Manila in search of his childhood friend Ligaya Paraiso, who was brought to the city by Mrs. Cruz to work and to study. Julio discovers the sordid reality of city life underneath the bright neon lights and eventually finds Ligaya, who is, in truth, forced into prostitution. The two plan to return home to their province, but Ligaya dies during a struggle with brothel owner Ah Tek. An enraged Julio accidentally kills Ah Tek and is chased by a mob.

Author Reyes was part of a group of writers in the 1960s, who published their stories in the anthology Mga Agos sa Disyerto in 1964. It was a meant to rebel against the romanticized mode that dominated Tagalog writing at the time. Steeped in social realism, these writers went on to depict the ills of society and the grime of the city. Reyes wrote Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, among others.

In 1970, Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr. adapted the novel into a screenplay, which was picked up by filmmaker Mike de Leon. The latter was in search of projects to produce for his new film outfit. De Leon approached Brocka to direct the film. Brocka worked with Del Mundo on the script to make it more appealing to the audience and to inject gay scenes. Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag became a Philippine film classic, regarded as one of Brocka’s best works.

The idea for a musical version of Maynila started with award-winning stage and film director Joel Lamangan and Gantimpala Theater Foundation. In 2013, Lamangan was named artistic director of the 40-year-old theater company founded by the late Philippine theater icon Tony Espejo. Lamangan, who started in theater, has made a name for himself in cinema with films such The Flor Contemplacion Story, Hubog and Bulaklak ng Maynila, most of which depict society’s chronic ills.

Gantimpala then came up with its National Artists Production Series, aimed at bringing the works of National Artists, such as Severino Montano, Nick Joaquin, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero and F. Sionil Jose, closer to the people.

“Maynila was supposed to be the first movie by a National Artists for film to be part of the National Artists Production series,” related Lamangan, who was an extra in the movie version (the one who kills Julio Madiaga in the end). Unfortunately, the project did not push through.

Years later, Grand Leisure Corporation bankrolled the much-awaited Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, the Musical. Although the musical began with Brocka in mind, Lamangan said the stage adaptation is based more on the novel. The gay scenes were, thus, not included.

Lamangan also revealed he is not keen on recreating the look, feel and modes of the 1970s, in which the story is set, but he concentrated more on the story of exploitation, and on how to condense the story into a two-act and two-hour play featuring music and choreographed dance routines.

“Dapat ‘yung mga tauhan ay lumabas na mga tunay na taong may puso, kaluluwa, at damdamin na kumakanta at sumasayaw (The characters should come out as real people with heart, soul and emotions while singing and dancing),” shared Lamangan. “Dapat na maramdaman ng mga manonood na nagkukuwento sila ng ukol sa kanilang mga agam-agam, hinaing, siphayo, at pangarap (The audience should feel they are telling them of their apprehensions, grievances, sadness and dreams).”

Lamangan gathered an artistic staff composed of people prominent in their fields. Writer-historian Jose Victor Torres and Em Mendez wrote the libretto, while Von de Guzman composed the music and serves as the production’s musical director. Joey Nombres serves as lighting designer. The dance routines are choreographed by Douglas Nierras, while Jun Flavier Pablo concentrates on production design. Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc. acts as line producer.

De Guzman has collaborated with Lamangan in several film projects, but Maynila, the Musical is his first grand production.

“Direk Joel wanted memorable melodies for the play,” he related. “So the ballads will have the feel of a George Canseco and/or Willy Cruz composition, the fast numbers we have incorporated very Filipino elements of singkil, Ati-atihan chants, mostly percussion-driven kind of music. And then we have the strains of kundiman in the other numbers.”

De Guzman added he did not rely much on music from 1970s, but intends to merge Filipino pop music romanticism with the orchestral power of a Stravinsky. He also uses Filipino instruments such as the banduria.

Nierras, in creating the choreography, also did not rely much on the dances of that decade. He described his choreography as a compendium of dance styles, inspired by West End and Broadway, as well as Philippine folk dances.

The production also assembled as powerful cast led by Arman Ferrer, Sheila Valderrama-Martinez and Lara Maigue. Classically-trained singer Ferrer plays Julio Madiaga, while Valderrama-Martinez and Maigue are alternating as Ligaya Paraiso.

“I was excited to join this production because I wanted to work with Joel Lamangan whom I’ve never worked with before,” said Valderrama-Martinez.

“I’ve been watching Hilda Koronel in the Brocka movie over and again, and I’ve been talking to friends from University of the Philippines where they worship before the shrine of Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag,” Maigue quipped.

Other members cast include Floyd Tena (as Pol), Noel Rayos (Atong), Rafa Seguion-Reyna and Joseph Puducay (Imo), Aicelle Santos and Rita Daniela (Perla), Jim Pebanco and Joseph Billezar (Mr. Balajadia), Khalil Kaimo (Gido), Jeffrey Camanag (Omeng), Romcel Binquis (Benny), Randy Rey (Frank), and Dulce and Ima Castro (Mrs. Cruz).

With an impressive lineup of people making up its artistic backbone, Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, the Musical is poised to become an important work to come up in the year. For Lamangan, the story of the Maynila will resonate with audiences, especially during this time of uncertainty and normalized human rights abuses. He also said that the issues tackled in the work are still very relevant.

“Hindi nagbabago ang kondisyon since 1970s. Marami pa ring taong tulad ni Ligaya. Ang nagbabago lang fashion (The condition doesn’t change since 1970s. There are still many people like Ligaya. The only thing that changes is fashion),” Lamangan said. “Ang katotohan pa rin noon ay katotohanan pa rin ngayon (The reality then is still the reality now).”

While social decay still persists, Lamangan pointed out the light that endures in all of us: “It shows that in the midst of the squalor, despair, and violence, pure love still exists like the one shared by Julio Madiaga and Ligaya Paraiso.”

Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, the Musical will premiere on September 30, 3 P.M. and 8 p.m. and will be onstage on October 1, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; October 4, 8 p.m.; October 5, 8 p.m.; and October 6, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. For ticket inquiries, contact Bards Lapid through mobile number 0917-8466704, or landline numbers 897-7142, 890-0853 and 890-6067, or Ticketnet at 911-5555.