'Maxie the Musicale’ takes critically acclaimed film to theater

MANILA, Philippines - The well-loved 2005 Cinemalaya film entry “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” will be seen again, only this time it will be in theater.

The film will be adapted in a musical play titled “Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros,” which was theatrically written by Nicolas B. Pichay.

Its director, Dexter M. Santos, said the scenes that the viewers loved in the film could still be seen in the musical.

The only difference is that they will be using the “power of theater” wherein these scenes “could be slated to a dance number, it could be a production number.”

The whole team acknowledge the fact that “It’s a coming of age film, [and] everybody likes it because it has a homosexual feel to it,” Direct Dexter said.

“But we believe that it’s just an icing on the cake," he added. “I think kaya ground-breaking ‘yong film kasi it’s not about Maxie, it was never about Maxie, it’s about a community, it’s about how Maxie affected their lives and how their lives affected Maxie in return.”

Jayvhot as Maxie

It was not easy for the team to find the perfect people to portray each character. Although some of them were pre-casted, the lead roles namely Maxie and Victor went through a lot of auditions.

Victor, who was played by Jojo Riguerra, was only cast by July. For his part, Jayvhot, who plays the role of Maxie, was discovered through a Facebook video.

The video that Jayvhot is referring to was a clip taken from the defunct variety show “WIl Time Big Time.” In the video, he was asked where’s he’s living, replying “sinabi ko po sa TV show na ‘yon ‘yong complete address ko po,” he relates with a laugh.

From there, Jayvhot was encouraged to go to an audition, and after being accepted, has undergone a series of workshops with Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).

He undeniably has a talent in singing, which everyone witnessed when he joined the defunct talent search show “Talentadong Pinoy.” Yet, his talent still needs to be honed, especially since this is his first ever theatrical performance.

When it comes to relating with his character, Jayvhot didn’t have a hard time adapting to it all because “‘yong buhay ko po parang si Maxie na po."

“Kasi ‘yong background po ng buhay ko kinukumpara ko po kay Maxie, and then confirmed!” he proudly said, referring to his sexual preference

Since he was young, Jayvhot and his family have known that he’s gay. But unlike other members of the third sex, he was accepted by his family, particularly by his father.

“Proud po siya sa amin, na bakla po,” Jayvhot said about his father.

“Kasi nga po dati sinasaktan niya ‘yong kapatid niya kasi bakla po. Ayaw niya po sa bakla, ngayon nagka-anak po siya na bakla," he also said.

“Dalawa pa po!” he adds which made everyone laugh.

Actually, during the “Wil Time Big Time” contest, when his father Bubot gave a message for him he said, “Kung ano po siya talaga, mahal ko po siya."

“Alam ko man na bakla ka, bakla man o hindi mahal pa rin kita… Tinatawag ka nilang bakla, para sa akin isa kang dakila.”

Jayvhot might not have definite plans yet if he’ll pursue theater acting after doing Maxie the Musicale. All he knows now is that he’s enjoying what he’s doing so far.

Aisde from Jayvhot and Jojo, the other main cast members of the musical are: Roeder Camanag and Nazer Salcedo alternating as Paco Oliveros; Al Gatmaitan and OJ Mariano alternating as Boy Oliveros; and Jay Gonzaga as Bogs Oliveros.

The “Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” will run from Nov. 9 to Dec. 8, which is every Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 8 p.m., and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. — which all be performed at PETA Theater Center in Manila.