Manila: A new musical adaptation of the Bicolano epic 'Ibalong' is bringing the legendary story closer to younger audiences while putting Bicolano artists at the center of its production. In an interview Friday after the show, Alan Ra±ola, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Tourism, Culture and Arts, said the city government partnered with Tanghalang Pilipino and Sining Banwa to bring the epic back to the stage through 'Ibalong Z: A New Bicol Musical.'
According to Philippines News Agency, Ra±ola stated that Manila-based Tanghalang Pilipino also helped stage 'Ibalong: The Musical' in Legazpi City in 2013. The new production made the epic more accessible to the younger generation, particularly Gen Z audiences (born between 1997 and 2012) and Gen Alpha (born starting 2010), and "let them know what the Ibalong epic is really about," he explained. The epic tells the story of the heroic acts of the three warriors, Baltog, Handyong, and Baltong, in fighting against beasts and monsters, and giving glory to Ibalong, the ancient name of the Bicol Region.
Ra±ola expressed that while the Ibalong Festival is celebrated regularly, the new generation may not fully understand the story behind the epic. Through this show, they will gain a better understanding of what the Ibalong epic entails. The musical is one of the highlights of the 35th Ibalong Festival and will conclude its three-day run Saturday at Ibalong Centrum for Recreation.
During a speech, Ra±ola emphasized that the musical is not just an artistic production but a reminder of how art and cultural origins shape the future. Playwright Jobert Grey Landeza noted that the adaptation was also driven by concerns over young people's declining interest in reading, particularly literature, folktales, and folk epics. He expressed hope that the play would awaken curiosity among young people to explore their literature, culture, and way of life in the Bicol Region.
Landeza highlighted that the production uses contemporary language and musical theater to help younger audiences connect with the epic without feeling alienated. The project differs significantly from the earlier staging as it was entirely created and performed by Bicolanos, marking a local ownership of the production.
The approach has resonated with young viewers. Bicol University senior Leah Claire Inocencio observed that many audience members were students like her, indicating the musical's potential to engage the younger generation. She noted that the production strengthens their connection with Legazpi's history and reminds them of their duty to pass on the story and cultural heritage to future generations.
Fellow Bicol University student Oliver Caluna commented that presenting the epic through music could help revive and preserve Ibalong among Gen Z audiences. He appreciated how the creative adaptation made the story relatable to young people, encouraging them to value their own culture amid technological dominance.
Meanwhile, Landeza called on local government units across Bicol to provide sustained support and spaces for theater and other art forms, emphasizing that local artists need safe and dignified venues for creation and performance. He stressed that continued investment in the arts would offer opportunities for Bicolano artists and ensure that local stories, literature, and cultural traditions are preserved for future generations.
