On January 29, 2025, at PETA Theater Center, CJ Novato, Felicity Kyle Napuli, Carlon Matobato, Ekis Gimenez, Nyla Festejo, Frances Marie Akol, James Pe Lim, and Otep Madriaga lit up the stage in “Kislap at Algo,” a daring twinbill that blends Filipino folklore with Gen Z online culture.
The evening wove together mystical forests, colonial history, and algorithm-driven realities, all brought to life by a cast whose energy carried every scene.
Novato, as the Kapre, and Napuli, as Gabriela, commanded attention with a romance that crackled with tension and tenderness.
Every shared glance and whispered line drew an audible “kilig” from the audience, proving the chemistry of this new pairing rivals that of the original cast. Matobato and Gimenez, reprising their roles as the Kapre’s mischievous minions, delivered comedy gold, balancing slapstick antics with sharp timing that kept the energy high from start to finish.
In the digital world of Children of the Algo, Festejo’s Yani exuded elegance and poise, while Akol’s Jen brought approachable warmth that made the highs and lows of online life relatable. Pe Lim’s Owen combined edgy confidence with sly humor, and Madriaga’s Mark injected both camp and emotional weight, his performance oscillating effortlessly between comic relief and sobering social commentary.
The staging amplified each performance: Rafa Sumilong’s flickering lights and JJ Valerio’s dynamic soundscape shifted the audience between mystical forests and the chaotic energy of social feeds, while puppetry, projections, and movable sets gave each actor room to shine. The actors’ performances made the twinbill’s themes—revolution, identity, and the collision of tradition with technology—feel immediate and alive.
“Kislap at Algo” continues until February 7, giving audiences a chance to experience an inventive, star-driven exploration of Filipino values across generations.
Each actor brought depth, charisma, and relatability to their roles, proving that both myth and memes can be powerfully entertaining when delivered by a cast in full command of their craft. (with reports from Lau Balocos)
