'Muli' is compass and compassion in an original Pinoy musical

At the center of this dramedy, though the portmanteau is not enough to describe the depth of Muli, are women with hurts and pains, hopes and dreams, convictions and reservations.

The musical follows the story of Anita (Kakki Teodoro), a 42-year-old mother to Kath (Janine Teñoso). Music runs in their veins, as revealed by the opening scene where Kath stumbled upon a handheld cam that had the videos of her mother singing as a young girl.

There are boxes all over their house. The mother-daughter tandem rummages through pictures and mementoes, with Kath telling her mother to let go of some things because she has been cleaning up and sorting out for quite a while. The disarray in the house mirrors the chaos inside Anita’s heart.The scene ends with Kath leaving the house for a gig, with a guitar in tow.

In another scene, Anita’s husband, comes to visit her, with an apology and a resolution: to let go. After all, it’s been three years since some things happened between them. But there’s more to Anita’s pain than meets the eye.

Anita’s broken-heartedness is exposed and felt because Kakki gives life to the character. Kakki, in my book, is best remembered for her portrayal of Nimia in the 2018 musical adaptation of the classic Himala. She reprised the same role in the musical film in 2024 where she won best supporting actress in Metro Manila Film Festival and Gawad Urian.

There’s so much sincerity in Kakki’s Anita. These things are clear in her portrayal of the role: Anita holds on to the past because it is all that she has. Her daughter, meanwhile, is an ally that keeps her company, a confidante that’s ready to listen, even an extra hand to tidy up the cobwebs both at home and in her heart. And Kakki is never short on emotions—never mind that she’s present in almost every scene.

Her voice registers rawness that seeps to the soul. It’s full and textured. She possesses precise vocal clarity. So clear that she can make the audience laugh with just a hum or cry with that lilt in her voice.

Big part of the charm, earnestness and wit of Muli is big thanks to its playwrights, Charissa Pammit and Jose Paolo dela Cruz.

Charissa produced the show and co-wrote it with Paolo, who is editor-in-chief of PeopleAsia magazine. The two wrote the book and lyrics of Muli with well fleshed-out characters and crisp lines that both tug at the heart and tickle the funny bone.

Giving life and direction to Charissa and Paolo’s script is director Andrei Pamintuan who gave the play a good grip. Andrei just knew by heart how to helm the musical that—apart from the drama it serves and the sometimes labyrinthine plot—is also replete with funny, satirical dream sequences of Anita as a pop star and a contractor. Andrei maneuvered Muli to a safe ground, where every punch line was plump and amusing; and every heartrending scene is worth the tear.

Meanwhile, Janine Teñoso’s take on her character of Kath is not without the candor of youth and the zest for life. She’s a whiff of fresh air in her scenes but a force to reckon with in her craft. She essays her role like Kath is the steady force of Muli, the integrity to Anita’s emotions, the light at the end of her mother’s tunnel.

If being a good daughter were a requisite to sainthood, Kath would be a sure-win candidate. All this because she has pure love for her mother. Kath is her mother’s angel.

Janine possesses a gentle, benevolent voice. Just listening to her sing with Kakki on stage already spells kindness.

“At its heart, Muli is about learning to love the life that is ours, even with all the challenges and uncertainties that inevitably come with the moments that make it beautiful,” says Charissa.

“Muli explores the what ifs, regrets and hopes of people. Sometimes it comes off as poignant, sometimes hysterical, but always with a touch of tenderness because it is a story many of us can relate to,” says Paolo.

Sharing the spotlight with Kakki and Janine in Muli is a powerhouse cast of Vien King (Passion), Marvin Ong (Man of La Mancha), Justine Peña (Sa Wakas), and Marynor Madamesila (Gregoria Lakambini), alongside social media creator and Dog Show Diva host Baus Rufo, in his first professional theater production.

King is the heartthrob Ian whose high notes make him more handsome on stage. Ong as the husband Maki—his song number with Anita is heavy with emotion as the actor-singer knows how to place sentiments in his tone.

Peña, Madamesila and Rufo are Juls, Detski and Mito, respectively, the BFFs of Anita. They are stars of Muli, too, with their commanding singing voices and comedic timing.

Muli is turned into a spectacle by the show’s musical directors and composers Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang of FlipMusic, through 11 original songs that cover a multitude of genres.

Costumes were designed by Santi Obcena, while dance numbers were choreographed by Joe Abuda, against a colorful and engaging set design by D Cortezano. (If only for the door that looks like a stack of drawers, the set design is A-1 in rating.)

If it were a design, Muli would bear hollows of love that is lost and love that is found again. It would have a safe harbor where heart and mind meet, where regrets would have an answer, where grief is a friend in dark robe, but still a friend.

Muli is a guide, a compass, a map of a heart that wants to look for the meaning of life again.

Muli: An OPM Musical is showing in all weekends of September at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig City. Tickets are available on Ticketworld and mulimusical.com.