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Two thousand years ago, Pontius Pilate, finding himself in a dilemma that will change the world, asked himself the same question we still struggle with today: Ano ba ang katotohanan?

Pilato, an all-original Filipino musical, is set to open this April 4 at the PETA Theater Center, revisiting the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Poncio Pilato—offering a fresh, thought-provoking perspective on power, faith, and moral responsibility.

The musical follows Pilato’s passage from his early aspirations in Rome to his fateful appointment as prefect of Judea. Every ruling he delivers is placed under holy inquisition by a tribunal of formidable figures: Josepo, the ever-probing historiographer; Caiaphas, the high priest with a vested interest in the verdict; Procla, his foreboding wife; and, Hesus, the enigmatic defendant whose claim to be the King of the Jews has stirred both devotion and dissent.

Although the production is religious in nature and leads up to Holy Week, writer and director Eldrin Veloso insists, “This is not a senakulo.” The past is merely a conduit to spark reflections on the realities of today. In an interview with ABS-CBN, Veloso says, “Based on studying the canonical gospels and historical accounts, we weaved a story that surprisingly still mirrors today’s society.”

Through powerful storytelling and haunting melodies, the musical challenges audiences to confront the choices they make in the face of conflicting narratives, whether in history, politics, or their personal lives.

One of the highlights of this production is the participation of Ateneo de Manila University’s very own Marit Samson (4 AB COM), who stars as Publius, a crucial figure in Pilato’s court. 

“I saw Pilato’s audition call on social media last November and my interest was immediately piqued by the title itself plus the fact that it is all-original—Philippine theater has never seen anything like it before," Samson shares.

Like Veloso, she also sees the musical as more than just a retelling of a Bible story. It became a way for her to bring to life the values she learned in the Ateneo, especially as the midterm elections near. “In Ateneo, I learned how to always think beyond myself and to never be detached from the society I am living in. The political and societal parallels of the past and present made me even more passionate to showcase this relevant story to the audience," she says.

With this, Pilato invites the Ateneo community to witness and support one of their own as she takes the stage in this groundbreaking production. Samson’s involvement underscores the strong tradition of Ateneans, making significant contributions to Philippine arts and theater.

Aside from Samson, the cast brings together a dynamic blend of seasoned performers and rising stars, including Jerome Ferguson as Pilato, Noel Rayos as Hesus, Onyl Torres as Josepo, Christy Lagapa as Procla, Jeremy Manite as Caiaphas, and an ensemble of talented performers bringing this grand production to life.

Backed by the creative force of The Corner Studio—a creative agency known for its expertise in branding, production, and storytelling—this marks the team’s first theatrical venture. This endeavor elevates their commitment to pushing the boundaries of Filipino storytelling, bringing their vision to life onstage in a bold and exhilarating new dimension.

Pilato will run on April 4 to 6 and April 11 to 13 with shows at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM at the PETA Theater Center, Quezon City. Tickets are priced at P2,200 (VIP), P2,000 (Orchestra), P1,500 (Orchestra Side and Lower Balcony Center), and P1,200 (Lower Balcony Side and Upper Balcony Center) and are available at pilato.helixpay.ph.
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Keep up with the production through their social media pages below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pilatomusikal‍

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pilatomusikal/

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