Dave Palomo as Jonah
REVIEW: Ang Balyena - A Haunting Dive into Masculinity, Trauma, and Truth
By: Vito Roble Santos, Contributing Writer
July 24, 2025
I walked into Ang Balyena not knowing anything — not the plot, not the themes, not even the genre. All I knew was the title and that it was staged by Aninag Theater, a company I’ve heard good things about but never experienced firsthand. Honestly, I assumed it was fantasy or something whimsical based on the title alone.
But lo and behold — OH MY GOD. I wasn’t ready.
What unfolded on that stage was one of the heaviest, most affecting theatrical experiences I’ve had in a long time. This isn’t lighthearted fare — far from it. Ang Balyena dives deep into taboo and rarely touched topics: toxic masculinity, sexual abuse among men, and generational trauma. And it does so with unflinching honesty, raw emotional power, and care. I was shook, disturbed, and completely moved. Days after watching, I still carry Jonah’s story with me — ganun siya ka- impactful.
A Powerful Lead Performance
Dave Palomo as Jonah was phenomenal. You can feel his internal battles, especially in scenes by the pool, where you sense his deep trauma surrounding water, girls, and whales — layers that unfold slowly throughout the play. From being an eager, hopeful teen with a passion for swimming, to someone hardened and haunted by trauma, his transformation was deeply convincing.
While the shift in his character arc felt slightly abrupt, Palomo’s performance made it feel real and lived in. That scene where he recounts what happened to him? Gut-wrenching. Watch out for that monologue — it’s unforgettable.
And let’s talk about Rico Del Rosario as Coach Raymund. He performed the role with depth and complexity. A specific scene with him is one of the most powerful moments in the show, packed with emotional weight.
Layers of Masculinity: The Father Figure
Another standout was Jonah’s father, played with remarkable depth. Yes, he’s toxic. Yes, he’s emotionally distant and quick-tempered. But through small moments — like when he sings alone on stage — you feel the love buried beneath the rage. His eyes carry years of pain, and it’s clear he’s fighting demons of his own. These emotional nuances helped paint a fuller picture of masculinity, not just in its harshness, but also in its brokenness.
His dynamic with Jonah was so compelling. Every scene they shared? Chef’s kiss. There’s a kind of push-pull between wanting to connect and wanting to dominate — the heartbreak of a father-son relationship fractured by expectations, pride, and silence.
Artistic Brilliance in Simplicity
Visually, Ang Balyena is stunning in its minimalism. The set is bare-bones, yet the space is transformed — a home, a school, a swimming pool — all through clever blocking and design. But what truly elevated the storytelling was the lighting. The lights were practically another character —tracking Jonah’s inner world with flickers of red, blue, darkness, and stark whites. Every emotional shift was mirrored by the stage, heightening the tension and weight of each scene.
Musically, there were some parts that felt off or slightly unnecessary — not all songs hit the mark emotionally or narratively. Some transitions also dragged, with long pauses between scenes that left the energy hanging. These are minor issues, though, especially considering what I watched was a press preview. First show pa lang ito, and those kinks are easily fixable in the next runs.
Dave Palomo and Rico del Rosario
Direction & Writing: Brave, Bold, and Human
Props to playwright Baby Jay Crisostomo and directors Joy Delos Santos and Andrea Resurreccion for creating a production that tackles a harrowing subject without being exploitative or preachy. The story flows with care — unmasking trauma at its own pace, letting silence do the heavy lifting when needed. The whole team — from production to performance — clearly worked hand in hand to deliver this powerful piece.
The bravery it takes to tell this kind of story — one about male rape, power abuse, and the emotional toll of toxic expectations — cannot be understated. We rarely see narratives like this in local theater, and it’s time we do.
Room for Growth
Yes, there were moments when the runtime felt a bit stretched. A few scenes could’ve been trimmed without losing the essence. The metaphor of the “balyena” also felt slightly forced at times, it didn’t always weave organically into the story. But those are small quibbles in the grand scheme of things.
Because what Ang Balyena ultimately leaves you with is a message so important: we don’t need to carry our pain alone. Whether you’re a man, a woman, or beyond the binary — everyone deserves healing, support, and the freedom to speak their truth. The play reminds us that we can only truly move forward if we stop running from the monsters of our past.
Final Thoughts and Verdict
If there’s one show you need to catch before July ends, this is it. It’s emotionally intense, socially relevant, and masterfully executed. To the entire team — writer, cast, directors, and crew — thank you for telling Jonah’s story and for giving voice to so many others like him. This play doesn’t just want to be seen — it demands to be felt.
Worth your time.
Worth the conversation.
Worth the tears.
4/5
Don’t miss Ang Balyena. Limited run until July 26 only at the 5/F DAC Theater, Design and Arts Campus, Taft Avenue, P. Ocampo St. Manila.
Get your tickets through https://tinyurl.com/AngBalyena.
Photos by Vito Roble Santos.
See related news: Theatre Shows We Are Excited For This July
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vito Roble Santos is an author, content creator, and showbiz enthusiast. Recently, he published a children’s book entitled Kakatok-Katok si Bitok with Jahric Lago under TBC Publications. Vito has been writing reviews for TV series, movies, theater stage plays, and concerts for over a year now, with approximately 200+ published works. You can find more of his reviews, showbiz updates, and the latest happenings on his social media pages under ViTalks on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.