The ethno-pop-rock modern zarzuela Ambon, Ulan, Baha returns to the stage. The musical opens on September 26 and 27, 2026, at the historic Metropolitan Theater.
Multi-awarded playwright Frank G. Rivera wrote the production. Three decades after its premiere, the prophetic Filipino musical returns during the ongoing habagat season.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Metropolitan Theater, and producer Pixel Art Media Production Co. spearhead the revival. The staging serves as a poignant cultural commentary. It tackles deep-seated issues of commercial greed, social inequality, and ecological crisis.
The acclaimed ethno-musical presents a timely reimagining of pressing social themes. It probes deep into issues of commercial exploitation, economic marginalization, and nature’s retribution for mankind’s recklessness.
The production originally debuted during the MET’s “Second Golden Age.” Rivera led Teatro Metropolitano as founder and artistic director at the time. The homecoming revisits a significant chapter in the venue’s theatrical legacy. It offers audiences a renewed opportunity to reflect on its enduring social commentary.
The story is set in the fictional Barrio Magubat. It follows young lovers Nonoy, played by CJ Navato, and Inday, played by Thea Astley. Their dreams are disrupted by the powerful Don Calixto, played by Anton Juan, and his son, Dr. Anton, played by Rendell Sanchez.
Political aggrandizement and self-interest drive the characters. Forests are divested, and a devastating flood follows, changing the community’s lives forever.
The musical holds top recognitions for its lasting contribution to Philippine theater and environmental advocacy. It won the 2004 Aliw Award for Best Musical Production. It also earned the 2012 Fr. Satur Nery Environmental Heroism Award.
At its heart, the revival stands out as a vital piece of cultural commentary. It gives voice to the collective frustration of Filipinos grappling with persistent, corruption-fueled flooding. The production transmutes real-world crises into a powerful theatrical narrative. It offers a timely and resonant reflection of the nation’s socio-political landscape.
The return of the play is part of the 52nd anniversary celebration of Sining Kambayoka. Rivera led this trailblazing theater company at Mindanao State University in 1974.
Seasoned creative talents lead the contemporary production. CJ Andaluz serves as director. Rivera is the playwright and principal composer. Pipo Cifra is the musical arranger and director. Anthony Cruz is the choreographer, and Ohm David is the production designer. Raqs Regalado is the costume designer, Charlotte Despuez is the lighting designer, and Roman Cruz is the technical director.
The MET will transform the stage through immersive projections and visual storytelling. The design highlights rainfall and breathtaking aerial sequences. It creates an evocative world centered on themes of rain, memory, destruction, and hope.
The very essence of the musical play is how it retains and mirrors the stratum of contemporary society. It underscores the impact of human actions on long-term environmental deterioration.
Production Director and Pixel Art Media Production Co. Creative Director CJ Andaluz emphasized that the show remains deeply relevant today. He noted that the production draws directly from real-world political, environmental, and social issues.
“The play confronts audiences with an urgent ethical dilemma: Is it ever justifiable to inflict man-made destruction on the natural world in pursuit of economic power and commercial gain?” Andaluz said.
Audience members can tune in to the anticipated play on September 26 and 27. They will witness a downpour of emotions within the historic roof of the Metropolitan Theater.