Vince Tañada keeps Jose Rizal’s legacy alive in ‘Rizal 3000’ musical

Vince Tañada hopes his new musical Rizal 3000 will remind Filipinos of the importance of learning about their history and keeping the legacy of Jose Rizal alive. In the production, he plays the lead role Iosephus Raval along with Johnrey Rivas as Jose Rizal.

Speaking after the curtain call of a show in Manila on October 10, the critically acclaimed, multi-awarded playwright, actor, director, producer, and educator expressed concern that Philippine history and Rizal’s works could receive less attention in education. He stressed the need to preserve these lessons for future generations.

“Our only weapon to combat history distortion is our art,” he said.

For Tañada, theater can help keep the stories of Filipino historical figures alive and encourage audiences to understand how the country’s past shapes its national identity. He hopes his musical will reach the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

“Hence, I wrote and directed this musical believing that DepEd and CHED will hear our call. Ang kasaysayan po ay hindi dapat binubura o pinapalitan. Sapagkat ang kasaysayan po, si Rizal, si Bonifacio, ang ating mga bayani, ay ang ating identidad bilang mga Pilipino,” he said.

Set in the year 3000, Rizal 3000 imagines a Philippines where history has been banned under a dictatorship. The story follows a father and son who rediscover Rizal’s legacy and help inspire a movement to restore the people’s knowledge of their past.

Tañada also emphasized the importance of creating original Filipino productions rooted in the country’s culture, traditions, and history.

“It’s not important for me to adopt or to import anything from Broadway or from West and in London because we can create our own based on our culture, the richest of our tradition, our history and our national identity,” he said.

Through Rizal 3000, Tañada hopes to encourage Filipinos to value their heritage and ensure that the legacy of Rizal and other important figures in Philippine history continues to reach future generations.

Presented by PhilStagers Foundation, Rizal 3000 will tour venues across the Philippines until April 2027. Schools, communities, and other groups interested in bringing the musical to their venues may contact PhilStagers Foundation for inquiries and arrangements.