A melodic leap from pop rock to Broadway beats
ANTHONY Rosaldo, the 29-year-old artist who first captured hearts as the “Kapuso Pop Rocker” on Season 1 of GMA Network’s “The Clash,” is set on making a significant turnaround in his career with his upcoming first major solo concert aptly titled “Switch.”
Rosaldo, still a talent of GMA Artist Center since emerging as a runner-up on the the network’s popular singing competition, has chosen to embrace the world of musical theater after a successful stint as the young Hector in the 2023 staging of the Eraserheads-inspired musical, “Ang Huling El Bimbo.”
In a media conference on Tuesday, Rosaldo revealed the motivation behind his artistic journey, first citing his mother’s unwavering support.
“My ultimate motivation is my mom. I’ve always said I’m a mama’s boy, and all that is happening to me today is because of her love and generosity,” he shared, reflecting on the sacrifices his mother made during his early career.
Further recalling his humble beginnings, Rosaldo shared a touching anecdote about his mother’s dedication during his auditioning days.
“My mom would always accompany me back then, and one time, she took me to a popular fast-food chain,” he recounted. “After we ordered, I noticed I was the only one eating, and when I asked her why, she said she was saving money for us to use for my next [tryouts]. She just wanted to make sure I had food in my stomach before I auditioned — that’s how selfless my mother is.”
Of course, Rosaldo’s mom was the second happiest person when he unexpectedly snagged the critical role of Hector in “Huling El Bimbo.” His joy soon fizzled, however, when he found himself struggling amid the hugely different, demanding, and highly skilled platform of performance theater.
Despite being a promising new name in the theater scene today, Rosaldo revealed that when he started to report to work for the proudly all-Filipino musical, he thought the production would send him home.
“I was messing up all over the place. I didn’t understand the terms they were using during rehearsals, I couldn’t get the choreography as quick as the rest of the cast, and I was just terrible.”
He even suffered from alopecia at the time, but thanks to the doyenne of Philippine Theater, Menchu Lauchengco, who clearly took a liking to the young talent, he found another “mother” for the stage, who took him under her wing and even gave him an hourlong one-on-one on the rigors of her stellar expertise.
At the risk of sounding too dramatic, the impassioned Rosaldo expressed that theater for him is life-changing.
“Theater has allowed me to express myself better [and equip me with] new techniques on how I sing and perform in general,” he shared, emphasizing the transformative impact of theater on his artistry.
Looking ahead to his solo concert on January 31 at the Music Museum, Rosaldo expressed gratitude to GMA Network for supporting his transition to theater. “I am so grateful to GMA Network for supporting me in my switch to the theater scene even if I started with them to become a pop-rock singer,” he acknowledged.
The concert, also serving as a prebirthday celebration for Rosaldo [he turns 30 the following day on February 1], will showcase the evolution of his musical journey.
It will begin by revisiting his pop-rock roots and then seamlessly transition into the “Switch,” representing his immersion in musical theater. The audience can, therefore, anticipate a repertoire that includes beloved Broadway songs, which the performer promises “they can relate to.”
“I want to show my supporters this switch that I’ve made and hopefully pull them into the world I’m enjoying right now because I’ve really fallen in love with theater today.”
As a special tribute to the influential women in his life, Rosaldo further announced a performance with Philippine Theater’s first lady herself — his mentor, Lauchengco — acknowledging the pivotal role she played in his theater journey.
“This will definitely be one of the highlights of the show — with Ms. Menchu Lauchengco — and that will be my tribute to her and my mom as well,” he revealed.
“Switch: Anthony Rosaldo Live in Concert” will also have Rita Daniela, Khalil Ramos and Gian Magdangal as guests. Tickets are now available at the Music Museum box office and via www.ticketnet.com.