Dulaang Filipino, the resident theater company of De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, continues to champion Filipino stories with its newest production—Batang Rizal Musikal. Written by Christine Bellen and now reimagined with fresh direction, the play revisits the early life of Dr. Jose Rizal, reminding audiences that before he became a national hero, he was once a curious, wide-eyed child.

Rizal Through the Eyes of a Child

Unlike traditional historical dramatizations, Batang Rizal: Isang Musikal offers a rare perspective: Rizal not as the monument or textbook figure, but as a boy with dreams, fears, and questions. This childlike lens allows the play to highlight Rizal’s humanity while drawing parallels between the Philippines of the Spanish colonial era and the challenges we continue to face today.

By combining humor, music, and youthful energy, the production reframes the hero’s story in a way that resonates with students and young audiences, making history not just something to memorize but something to feel and reflect upon.

More Than Just a History Lesson

At its core, the musical aims to:

Educate by showing Rizal’s formative years and how they shaped his values.

Raise awareness of ongoing social and political issues, using history as a mirror for the present.

Inspire pride in Filipino identity through an engaging, accessible narrative that connects generations.

Dulaang Filipino believes that telling Rizal’s story through the vibrancy of theater allows audiences to engage with his legacy not as distant history, but as an ongoing dialogue about nationhood and justice.

A Stage for Transformation

Batang Rizal: Isang Musikal also reflects Dulaang Filipino’s mission to create transformative art. With recent productions like Liza Magtoto’s Isang Daan selling out multiple shows, the company continues to prove its steadfast role in nurturing excellence and awakening social consciousness through theater.

This staging of Batang Rizal: Isang Musikal reinforces the group’s vision: theater as both a celebration of heritage and a catalyst for dialogue, encouraging young Filipinos to reflect on their own role in shaping the future.

Event Details

Audiences can catch the musical at the 6th Floor Black Box Theater, Design+Arts Campus, De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde.

Show Schedule:

October 1 | 6:30 PM

October 2 | 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM

October 3 | 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM

October 4 | 1:30 PM (Gala)

October 6 | 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM

October 7 | 6:30 PM (Gala)

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