Ang Huling El Bimbo Musical Made Me Smile and Cry

One of my friends from Davao Digital Influencers posted a status update about his experience in watching Ang Huling El Bimbo Musical live. He said that he had goosebumps as he watched the entire play at Resorts World Manila. He mentioned that the musical would be available online for the first time on Youtube for only two days. Since yesterday was my birthday, I decided to just watch it today. Well, I made the right decision.

Ang Huling El Bimbo musical was amazing. I was smiling and crying for the entire show.

I felt nostalgic as I listened to my favorite songs from Eraserheads (most iconic ‘90s pinoy bands). I remember how I played these songs with my friends as we shared talks, laughers, and beers. I also couldn’t forget how we used to play the songs during our karaoke moments. Yes, those were the good times. 

But as I continue watching the musical, I started to feel different emotions.

First, hope.

I felt excited and hopeful as I see Hector, Anthony (AJ), and Emman started their journey as freshmen students. It was beautiful to witness how their friendship formed. Each of them has different backgrounds and come from different families. However, somehow, they made this work. This shows us that anyone can form a bond, regardless of where they came from and what they believe in. I also love how they were able to make 90s references as they presented the story of these freshmen, especially the day they met Banlaoi. 

🎶 Minsan sa may kalayaan tayo’y nagkatagpuan

May mga sariling gimik at kaya-kanyang hangad sa buhay

Sa ilalim ng iisang bubong

Mga sikretong ibinubulong

Kahit na anong mangyari

Kahit na saan ka man patungo

…

Minsan ay parang wala nang bukas sa buhay natin

Inuman sa magdamag na para bang tayo’y mauubusan

Sa ilalim ng bilog na buwan

Mga tiyan nati’y walang laman

Ngunit kahit na walang pera

Ang bawat gabi’y anong saya 🎶

Song: Minsan

Second, happiness.

I was smiling the whole time since Joy met the three college freshmen. Joy was the niece of the owner of Toyang’s Canteen. She was an out-of-school youth and had a chance to meet Hector, AJ, and Emman when she sold them some food. Eventually, they became good friends. I enjoyed seeing them have random talks about their misfortunes while eating bulalo, but the three men were not able to pay because they forgot to bring money. Imagine all these great moments taking place while they were singing some of the best songs from Eraserheads. 

Joy has always been for them. 

Joy comforted AJ when she saw the bruises on his face. His father did not like the fact that he was gay. But Joy reminded him of how amazing he is as a person and that there is nothing wrong with being who he is. AJ was Joy’s best friend.

Joy read the love letter written by Emman and encouraged him to send it to his first love, who was then in Canada. Emman was Joy’s kuya.

Joy gave Hector reasons to smile and butterflies in his stomach. Joy danced and sang in happiness for Hector’s art. Hector was Joy’s happiness.

🎶 Huwag kang matakot

‘Di mo ba alam nandito lang ako sa iyong tabi

‘Di kita pababayaan kailan man at

Kung ikaw ay mahulog sa bangin ay sasaluhin kita

‘Wag kang matakot na matulog mag-isa

Kasama mo naman ako

‘Wag kang matakot na umibig at lumuha

Kasama mo naman ako

Huwag kang matakot

Huwag kang matakot

Dahil ang buhay mo’y walang katapusan

Makapangyarihan ang pag-ibig na

Hawak mo sa ‘yong kamay

Ikaw ang diyos at hari ng iyong mundo

Matakot sila sa’yo 🎶

Song: Huwag Kang Matakot

Third, sadness.

This was what I felt when Joy was raped and molested in front of them. I became sadder during the graduation of Hector, AJ, and Emman. Joy was there — waiting for them, with excitement and fake happiness in her eyes. Joy suffered a misfortune, but she still chose to show up to support her friends. Too bad, his friends started to avoid him. Maybe they were embarrassed for not manning up to protect joy or even report what happened to the authorities.

After the graduation, Hector, Aj, and Emman went on separate ways to follow their dreams. Joy was left behind, with no friends and education. Her life fell apart. Since then, she lost her life’s purpose and started to suffer.

🎶 Lift your head, baby, don’t be scared

Of the things that could go wrong along the way

You’ll get by with a smile

You can’t win at everything but you can try.

Baby, you don’t have to worry

‘Coz there ain’t no need to hurry

No one ever said that there’s an easy way

When they’re closing all their doors

And they don’t want you anymore

This sounds funny but I’ll say it anyway. 🎶

Song: With A Smile 

Fourth, mixed emotions.

I don’t know where to begin. Since Joy’s rape incident, I couldn’t stop crying. I think the first time I smiled again was when I saw Joy with her daughter, Ligaya. Then I felt a bit sad when Joy said that someday, Ligaya would meet her tito Hector, Emman, and AJ. This shows that after all those years, Joy was still hopeful that she would soon reconnect with his old friends. She chose to keep the good memories and not the bad ones. 

I also felt happy for Joy when she said to Ligaya “Ang mahalaga ay dumating ka sa buhay ko. Dumating si Ligaya sa buhay ni mama at nawala lahat ng sakit, lahat ng hirap, lahat ng pagsisi. Nung dumating ka baby, nawala lahat. Ligaya nalang ang naiwan.” At the same time, this brought me to tears again. That line was powerful. Joy chose to see the good in all the bad situations that she encountered. All her pain were gone because of her daughter. She had found a new reason to live because of Ligaya.

Then I continued crying when Joy made three phone calls to her old friends. All of them felt annoyed and irritated that Joy called again. Hector was not interested to talk to her. AJ got pissed and ended the call right away. Emman didn’t even answer the call. 

The saddest part was when Joy died because of a car accident. Now that she’s gone, they can no longer make things right. No matter what they do, they can no longer rectify the wrong choices they made. They can never bring back lost times. All they have now are regrets. 

🎶 Masdan mo ang aking mata

‘Di mo ba nakikita

Ako ngayo’y lumilipad at nasa langit na

Gusto mo bang sumama?

Hindi mo na kailangan ang magtago’t mahiya

Hindi mo na kailangan humanap ng iba

Kalimutan lang muna

Ang lahat ng problema

Huminga ka ng malalim at tayo’y lalarga na

Handa na bang gumala 🎶

Song: Alapaap

Before I end this post, let me say that I now have a different appreciation for the music of Eraserheads. Thank you for making me fall more in love with OPM.