Theathergoers are in for a treat with Muli: An OPM Musical, co-presented by Flip Music Productions.
Muli follows the story of a mom and daughter who navigate the many what-if scenarios of a road not taken.
We meet Anita, a 42-year-old housewife.
She is in the middle of decluttering their family home, but can’t seem to find the will to let go.
Her daughter Kath helps her, and in the process discovers her mom’s teenage dream of becoming a singer and songwriter.
It was a plan waylaid when Anita became pregnant with Kath at only 17, and later married her first and only love, Maki, Kath’s father.
Maki is now out of the picture, and Anita has become a recluse, avoiding questions about her personal life.
Even her group of high school friends, aptly called Barkadolls, cannot convince her to make an appearance at their upcoming 25th high school reunion.
MULI: SONGS and PERFORMAMANCES
The musical features 11 original OPM songs that range from being catchy, heartwarming, and Last Song Syndrome-inducing.
Combined with the stage production, they are a feast to the eyes and ears.
The soundtrack was composed by Gawad Buhay award-winners Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang, with inputs from Flip Music.
The production is behind hits like BINI’s “Pantropiko” and “Salamin, Salamin,” as well as Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala.”
Muli’s ensemble cast delivers a solid performance, and Janine Teñoso’s portrayal of Kath endears her to the audience. This marks Janine’s theater debut.
It also marks stand-up comedian and DogShow Divas podcast host Baus Rufo’s first foray onto the stage.
His improv experience lends a positive spin to his role as Mito, 1/4 of the Barkadolls (with Anita, Juls, and Detski, played by Justine Peña and Marynor Madamesila).
But the undeniable star of the show is Kakki Teodoro, who brings life to Anita with heart and pizzazz.
The transition from Anita the Nurturing Mom to Anita the Stage Diva was stark, and her fabulous dance number while belting out “Ya Girl” is one that will have you swaying your hips and snapping your fingers long after you’ve left the theater.
WHAT's TO LOVE ABOUT MULI
The play, deftly directed by Andrei Pamintuan, is also a trip down ‘90s-to-early-2000s memory lane.
From the music of Britney Spears to the undeniable sound of dial-up internet, it brings millennials back to the time of youth and abandon.
The younger audiences meanwhile can also relate to the TikTok and content creator references, as well as the mentions of P-pop and K-pop fangirling.
We also get a dose of kilig as the high schooler Anita interacts with Ian (played by Vien King), the musically-inclined cutie she crushes on before she meets Maki (played by Marvin Ong).
And as Anita finds herself in a multiverse of realities where she pursued a different life from marriage and motherhood, we see the what-could-have-beens, including a satisfying expletive-laden song number perfect for the pilferers of the country’s coffers.
Kakki Teodoro’s stamina deserves its own mention.
She appears in almost every scene, nailing each dance step and costume change.
Without missing a beat, she lands the comedic punch lines in one flashback sequence and delivers an emotional monologue the next.
You may have seen her on shows like High Street, The Silent Noise, and Honor Thy Mother.
She also won the Gawad Urian and Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 best supporting actress trophies for her role as Nimfa in the movie version of the musical Himala.
But she is a joy to watch on stage, her passion and dynamism in full display.
The musical showcases her talents well.
THE VERDICT
Co-written by Charissa Pamit and Jose Paolo dela Cruz, Muli is a must-watch production worthy of your hard-earned money and precious time.
It invites reflection on love, loss, and the things that become of our choices.
More importantly, it is a testament to the Filipino talent no AI can produce or replicate.
Muli: an OPM Musical runs at the Globe Auditorium of the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center in Taguig City until September 27.
Tickets are available on Ticketworld and mulimusical.com.
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