Paolo Gumabao is taking on a new challenge with Walong Libong Piso—his first-ever theater role and a one-man play that puts all eyes on him. With no co-actors and no second takes, Paolo steps into the spotlight alone in a role that tests his focus, energy, and acting skills.
At the media conference for Walong Libong Piso on June 6 in Manila, Paolo Gumabao shared how much trust he has in the vision of writer-director Dante Balboa.
“Kung anong gusto ni Direk [Dante Balboa] na ilabas namin, kung anong gusto ni Direk na gawin namin sa intablado, buong puso naming gagawin ‘yon…” he said.
Alone onstage for the entire hour-and-a-half performance, Paolo admits the biggest challenge will be sustaining the energy and keeping the audience fully engaged throughout.
“Siyempre since ikaw lang yung kaisa-isang artista sa stage, kailangan mong maghanap ng ways para hindi magkaroon ng dead air kasi siyempre isa’t kahalating oras tatakbo yung play,” he shared. “So, importante, lalo na mag-isa ka sa stage every emotion, every nuance dapat maipakita mo, ma-express mo ng maayos sa audience.”
He added, “Siguro yun yung pinaka-challenge is how to make it not boring for an hour and thirty minutes — how to play it in a way na captivating panoorin, how do you play it in a way na magugustuhan ng mga audience.”
Walong Libong Piso follows the story of a sexy actor who agrees to a questionable one-night stand, believing he’s in control. But as the night unfolds, unexpected twists bring long-buried secrets to light—until nothing goes as planned.
The play marks BenTria Productions’ first venture into theater, with Engr. Benjamin Austria as executive producer and Dante Balboa as director. While Paolo Gumabao leads the solo performance on select dates, other shows will feature Jhon Mark Marcia, Drei Arias, and Juan Paolo Calma.
The play is set to premiere in August 2025 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater).
TATAK MNL 