King of Talk Boy Abunda had high praises for actor Kokoy De Santos, even comparing him to Hollywood greats Daniel Day-Lewis and Tom Hanks, as the award-winning actor headlines the stage revival of Vincent de Jesus’s acclaimed one-act play ‘Ateng’.
During the media conference for the production, Abunda revealed that Kokoy initially turned down the project when it was first offered to him.
“Tinanggihan ako the first time I offered him the role. After guesting sa Fast Talk, sinabi ko, ‘I’m doing a play. Gawin mo ito.’ Sabi niya, ‘Ayoko nga.’ Natatakot siya,” Boy shared.
Together with playwright-composer Vincent de Jesus, Boy encouraged Kokoy to at least read the material.
“Basahin mo lang ang materyal. Kapag binasa mo at ayaw mo, hindi ka namin pipilitin,” he recalled telling him.
Kokoy eventually changed his mind after reading the script.
“He fell in love, he’s here, and the rest is history,” Boy said.
Abunda went on to deliver one of the strongest compliments of the night: “There’s something about Kokoy. It’s a combination of Daniel Day-Lewis—that insanity of Daniel—and the precision acting of Tom Hanks. Nandoon ang Kokoy.”
“Ateng’, a Carlos Palanca Memorial Award-winning play written in 2005, returns to the stage from November 14 to December 7, 2025 at Rampa Drag Club in Quezon City. Directed by Rem Zamora, the play stars Kokoy De Santos alongside Thou Reyes, Dyas Adarlo, Jason Barcial, Io Balanon, and Vincent de Jesus.
The story follows Juicy, a young gay impersonator who spends his electric bill money on his boyfriend, and Kiwi, his older sibling who discovers empowerment—wielding beauty parlor tools as symbols of resistance against toxic masculinity and abuse. Through biting humor and emotional depth, the play exposes the prejudice and violence LGBTQIA+ Filipinos often face.
De Jesus said the revival is meant to provoke reflection on what has—and hasn’t—changed in the past 20 years.
“So we can see how much has changed, what still needs to. Kasi sa 2005, uso ang gay bashing… Ganoon ka violent ang buhay ng bading noon,” he explained.
For Abunda, co-producing ‘Ateng’ is a homecoming. The TV host shared that this project is his way of giving back to the theater community where he began.
“Ito siguro yung pasasalamat. Matagal ako nagwalis sa Metropolitan Theater. I worked with masters. This is my way of saying thank you.”
He also hopes the play will spark deeper conversations on LGBTQIA+ rights and representation.
“Masculinity is not always about bravado. I fervently hope ATENG will open minds and serve as a catalyst to empower the LGBTQIA+ community.”
‘Ateng’ runs for 12 shows: Nov. 14 – Dec. 7, 2025 (Fridays and Saturdays at 7 PM, Sunday matinees at 3 PM and evening shows at 7 PM)
Tickets cost ₱1,000 and are available via www.ticket2me.net or at the Rampa Drag Club entrance. Follow the conversation online using #MayRampaSiAteng.
