‘Muli: An OPM Musical’ Is A Moving Story That Transcends Generations — Review
The musical brings to the stage the “what-ifs” into full blast, showcased through a mix of songs that travel across different corners of OPM.
Courtesy of Muli Team
Courtesy of Muli Team
If you could go back and live through the what-ifs, would you take it?
That is the premise of Muli: An OPM Musical, an original Filipino stage production that showcases what the best of Philippine theater has to offer.
Courtesy of Muli Team
Directed by Andrei Pamintuan, the musical follows the story of Anita (Kakki Teodoro), a 42-year-old housewife who has spent the last two decades building her life around her family. Her daughter, Kath (Janine Teñoso), is now fully grown. With Anita now reaching close to the twilight of her years, she seizes an opportunity to move through realities and fantasies she could have lived and chase the dreams she left behind.
Courtesy of Muli Team
Courtesy of Muli Team
From becoming a successful pop star, to a fierce CEO respected by many, to becoming a “mom-fluencer” with the perfect family, and even having a life with the person she touts as “the one that got away” — Muli opens the doors to all these “what-ifs,” along with the choices made and the chances not taken.
According to Charissa Pammit, who produced the show and co-wrote the book and lyrics with Jose Paolo dela Cruz, the heart of Muli is “about learning to love the life that is ours, even with all the challenges and uncertainties that inevitably come with the moments that make it beautiful.”
Clocking in at nearly three hours, the show flew by. We are immediately pulled into the mother-daughter dynamic between Teodoro and Teñoso, which becomes the emotional anchor throughout the story.
To no surprise, Teodoro steals the show, being able to ride the dramatic and comedic waves that the story presents itself with. From her lighthearted interactions with Justine Peña, Marynor Madamesila, and Dog Show Divas host Baus Rufo in his professional theater debut, there is a palpable chemistry that comes whenever the story flashes back to Anita’s “what-ifs” of the many different possibilities of the life she could have lived.
Courtesy of Muli Team
Teñoso makes her theater debut — her first foray into acting. Her vocal prowess is to be expected, and when she performs, it’s already a given highlight. However, her line delivery, especially in the dramatic moments, offers another side of her that we haven’t seen yet. Luckily, it was a great first impression, as we can’t wait to see her take on more acting roles in the future.
Courtesy of Muli Team
The songs from the musical were assembled by musical directors and composers Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang of FlipMusic, showcasing every corner and genre of OPM. Expecting the songs for a musical is one thing, but to be blown away by how Muli managed to bring different genres into the mix, from bubblegum pop, folk, acoustic, and hip-hop, is no easy feat.
Courtesy of Muli Team
Courtesy of Muli Team
Beyond the performances and songs, much can be said for the set design and costumes, which were designed by D Cortezano and Santi Obcena, respectively. They get to bring the life of the story through the space of the stage effectively. With a suspension of disbelief, a bookshelf turns into a makeshift door, house interiors transform into a concert stage, a high school fair, and an office space.
Muli also makes a statement that is timely and relevant in our society today, albeit too on the nose. But it carries something in a story that, again, dwells heavily on the “what ifs.” It also is one of the things that the musical carries more than it can handle.
Courtesy of Muli Team
With so many ideas thrown onto the table, Muli can be a bit overwhelming for some. But think of it as a fruit salad where you get to enjoy variety. Ultimately, the eclectic mix of emotions and feelings you’d feel at the end of the show is an indicator that the story moves through life, love, loss, and everything in between.
Catch Muli: An OPM Musical on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until September 27, 2026, at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center. Tickets are available on Ticketworld and mulimusical.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
‘Muli: An OPM Musical’ follows Anita, a 42-year-old housewife played by Kakki Teodoro, who gets the chance to relive alternate versions of her life — from pop stardom to a corporate career — as she reflects on the paths she didn’t take.
Kakki Teodoro leads as Anita, with Janine Teñoso as her daughter Kath in a theater debut. The cast also includes Justine Peña, Marynor Madamesila, and Baus Rufo, who makes his professional theater debut in the production.
‘Muli’ is directed by Andrei Pamintuan. Charissa Pammit produced the show and co-wrote the book and lyrics with Jose Paolo dela Cruz. Music was composed by Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang of FlipMusic.
The musical’s original OPM songs span multiple genres, including bubblegum pop, folk, acoustic, and hip-hop, composed by Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang of FlipMusic to match the story’s shifting “what-if” realities.
‘Muli: An OPM Musical’ runs Fridays through Sundays at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center, until September 27, 2026. Tickets are available via Ticketworld and mulimusical.com.
