'Sa Wakas' Ties Together Sugarfree Hits in Reverse Chronological Musical

Sa Wakas: A Pinoy Rock Musical delivers a tale of love and loss set to the iconic music of Sugarfree, but its reverse chronology and uneven execution leave room for improvement.

By PJ Aure

Sa Wakas: A Pinoy Rock Musical weaves Sugarfree's songs into a tale of heartbreak. Starting in reverse with a devastating breakup, it follows Topper, a passionate photographer, and Lexi, a driven neurosurgeon. Their opening duet, "Kwarto," illustrates their struggle to move on.

The story reveals how Gabbi contributes to their split. Like other song-based musicals, Sa Wakas carefully crafts situations to seamlessly incorporate Sugarfree hits. The play highlights the timeless power of songs like “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak” and “Huling Gabi” to encapsulate the phases of love and loss. A live band adds magical realism with their Sugarfree arrangements.

Vic Robinson shines as Topper, his vocals strikingly akin to Ebe Dancel's. The reverse chronology works well initially, building anticipation for the breakup's cause. But this structure makes later scenes feel predictable and less impactful.

The first act ends strongly with "Bawat Daan," but the play falters somewhat afterwards. It concludes with a confusingly silent Topper and no accompanying song. Still, witty dialogue offers humor amid the characters' struggles.

After successful runs in 2013 and 2017, this year marks the musical's farewell. ■