Filipino theater fans are in for an emotional rollercoaster as Nicholas Sparks' iconic love story The Notebook finally comes to life on the Manila stage.
On September 2, 2026, Theater Group Asia's production of The Notebook: The Musical held its gala night at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati City, drawing a crowd of theater lovers, celebrities, and industry personalities eager to witness the stage adaptation of the bestselling novel.
Directed by acclaimed Filipino-American director Nicholas Polonio, the musical stars Benedix Ramos, Laurence Mossman, and Rody Vera as the younger, middle, and older Noah, respectively, alongside Sheena Belarmino, Morissette, and Celeste Legaspi as the younger, middle, and older Allie.
Following the performance, the cast and creatives were met with a standing ovation from the audience.
For Nicholas, it was a rewarding moment after months of work on the production and finally sharing the story with a full house.
"It felt great. It was so nice to actually get to see the story and meet so many people simultaneously.
"We've only been able to share it with a few dozen people at a time so far, and just seeing a story like that that's so large and yet so intimate at the same time, like, get to be shared with so many people, it really meant the world to me.
"And I'm glad that it resonated with folks as much as it's been resonating with us as we've been telling the story together," he said.
THE NOTEBOOK: THE MUSICAL'S STAR-STUDDED GALA
Several celebrities attended the gala night, including actor Sam Concepcion, who praised how much the production had grown since he first saw it in rehearsals.
"I was at the rehearsal and I saw it, and it was amazing. And seeing it here at the gala, I didn't think the show could get any better.
"You know, in the span of like one, two weeks, it's gotten even more polished and with even more heart.
"So proud of everyone in this cast and I had such an amazing time. I hope everyone gets to catch it."
Award-winning actress Gab Pangilinan also shared her reaction to the musical, joking that audience members should skip wearing make-up because of how moving the show is.
Gab told PEP: "Pro tip: Wag na kayong mag-makeup. Walang point. Sayang. Sayang talaga.
"They're so good. Perfect, perfect cast. Tita Celeste [Legaspi] and Sir Rody [Vera], Morissette, Sheena [Belarmino], all of them.
"I already said this sa rehearsal and seeing it in the big stage, wala, ang sakit, ang sarap, ang sarap magmahal. Just see it. Look at my... ito na iyong reaction ko."
Actor Alex Diaz was equally impressed, highlighting both the vocal performances and the story's impact.
He told PEP: "Absolutely blown away. These are some of the best, most exquisite vocals in Manila, and the story is something that is iconic, something that my generation grew up with.
"And to see it on stage with, you know, all of these... all of, you know, colleagues that are close to my heart and beloved performers of our country, it's such a treat."
Meanwhile, actress Ayen Munji-Laurel singled out veteran performer Celeste Legaspi for praise, describing her performance as a masterclass.
She said: "Well, wow. I was surprised in a very, very good way because, you know, seeing Celeste Legaspi on stage, not just a treat, but wow. Masterclass in every way.
"Her voice, everything. I love, I love everything about it and I am going to take home a lot with me tonight."
Actor Ian Pangilinan echoed the audience's sentiments, commending the cast's emotional honesty and ability to make viewers both laugh and cry throughout the show.
"I think it's really so beautiful. All of the performances that they gave were so raw and vulnerable, emotionally.
"Grabe, kasi nakaka-affect talaga siya. And my god, the vocal performances and the acting performances of the cast was just, you know, on [point]... sa isang parte, sobrang mapapatawa ka nila, tapos sa sumunod na parte, mapapaiyak ka nila.
"You really fall in love with the characters and, it's really a testament to the actors and actresses who just gave such a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, truthful performance.
"Na parang maniniwala ka talaga sa mga nangyayari. So, ang ganda. So congratulations to everybody."
Take a look at the stars who came out to support the VIP gala night of The Notebook: The Musical below:
THE NOTEBOOK: THE MUSICAL'S STANDOUT SCENES
PEP also asked some of the attendees about their standout or favorite moments from the musical.
For director Nicholas Polonio, choosing just one scene proved difficult. Still, the memorable moment for him was the heartbreaking yet transcendent scene near the end of the show, when Older Allie briefly recognizes Noah despite the fog of dementia.
Nicholas explained: "I mean, it's so simple, but my favorite scene in so many ways is, 'I know,' you know? It's just a scene between the two of them at the bed when they find each other at the end.
"And in a show that has so many of these big, like, spectacular flourishes in it, the fact that its final moment in the climax of the show is so simple as two people finally reconnecting, it just... it hits me every single time and takes me by surprise."
The same scene resonated with Sam Concepcion, who admitted that the show's ending left him emotional.
In his words: "The final scene. I love it and I hate it. I was sobbing. I was a wreck. And, yeah, you just gotta have to see it to know what I'm talking about."
Meanwhile, Gab Pangilinan picked several scenes involving Allie as her favorites.
She recalled: "My favorite song in the entire musical is 'What Happens,' Morisette [as] Allie in the bathroom. Second is when all the timelines... every time all the timelines are together."
Alex Diaz also pointed to one of the musical's most emotional moments.
He said, "Definitely when older Allie was portraying her Alzheimer's. It's heart-wrenching and it's just so well done."
For Ian Pangilinan, one of the most powerful scenes featured the three actresses portraying Allie across different stages of her life.
"Favorite scene? I would definitely say, when all three...the women in the show are singing about still trying to reclaim their memory, that they still remember that they're still here... they're still in there despite their memory fading away.
"It's just so... so powerful and so affecting, so truthful and, and so heartbreaking.
"The performances of all three women are just wow. It's... Yeah, everybody in the audience na niyan, you can feel the emotions. It was crazy."
Meanwhile, Ayen Munji-Laurel said the scenes featuring veteran performers Rody Vera and Celeste Legaspi were unforgettable.
She said: "My favorite scene, scenes actually. All the scenes of Mr. Rod Rivera and Ms. Celeste. They're wonderful and it was full of not just emotions, but their presence were enough.
"And, you know, remembering a lot about my family as well and, you know, it's a special... special scenes with the veterans like them."
The Notebook: The Musical runs until September 20, 2026, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City. Tickets are available through TicketWorld, with prices ranging from PHP900 to PHP5,500.
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