‘BURUGUDUYSTUNSTUGUDUNSTUY’ PROMISES WILD RIDE THROUGH PAROKYA NI EDGAR’S MUSICAL UNIVERSE
Parokya ni Edgar’s second album, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy, released in 1997, was adopted as the title of a major musical carrying the band’s songs. This April, Full House Theater Company (FHTC) will stage the musical at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) of Newport World Resorts.
“Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” is a “very interesting musical,” according to Full House Theater Company co-artistic director Menchu Lauchenco Yulo.
“We’ve been working on this musical since February,” said Menchu. “The show is packed. Chito (Miconversation randa, Parokya ni Edgar frontman) knows pretty much where the story is going.”
“This particular musical revolves around four women, who go on a journey to find their true selves,” Menchu added. “They go through the usual life struggles, identity, what am I worth and they find their answers in this story.
“What a fun musical to create using the music of Parokya ni Edgar. We wanted something different. We were attracted by the music of Parokya ni Edgar and what it had to offer.
“So that was when the brainstorming happened. It was a series of several brainstorming sessions, into the auditions, finding the right cast. Once we had the draft, we knew what we needed.”
Aside from being the lead singer, Chito is composer of most of the band’s songs. To date, Parokya ni Edgar has charted 11 studio albums, one Christmas album, two compilation albums and two live albums. Yet, Chito had no idea what songs were selected for the musical.
Musical director and arranger Ejay Yatco chose a total of 47 songs to be on the line-up of “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy.”
Stephen Viñas is choreographer, lights designer is Monino Duque, sound designer is Arvy Dimaculangan, costume designer is Raven Ong, set designer is Lawyn Cruz, video designers are Ga Fallarme and Joyce Garcia.
Ejay revealed that just to listen to the entire discography of Parokya ni Edgar took him two months, after he received the script from playwright Rody Vera.
“I really listened carefully to every song of Parokya,” Ejay said. “It was like making a thesis statement. We tried to see what songs would fit in every scene. The priority of our arrangement is how to tell the story effectively, given the new arrangement.
“At the same time, we want to pay tribute to the culture of Parokya. The iconic songs need to be included. As a songwriter, I’m trying to have a with everyone.”
Chito was also encouraged to have a hand in staging the musical. The judge of ABS-CBN’s “Idol Philippines,” however, insisted he’s good with the work that will be presented to him and refused to give any input to the musical.
“They told me, ‘If you have any input, please add.’ I told them I don’t want to meddle. I don’t want to be part of it. Just keep me updated. I just want to be surprised,” Chito said.
“I trust them more than I trust myself when it comes to creativity,” he further admitted.
“When it comes to the band, I’m okay. But when it comes to theater, I rely more on the abilities and knowlhorizon edge of those who know better to come up with something spectacular. I don’t need to give them headaches.
“That’s why they are so excited to work on the musical. More than being a part of it, I just want to be an audience (member).
“I gave them total artistic freedom. I wanted this one to be so different from what we’re used to doing. If I meddle, it will just be another extension of Parokya. We are reluctant to always involve the band with anything this major.”
The title of Buruguduys tuns tugudunstuyw as invented by Chito one afternoon when Parokya ni Edgar arrived in Manila after a provincial gig.
“My brother picked me up from the airport and he asked me if I learned a new word,” Chito recalled. “It old him right away, Buruguduys tuns tugudunstuy. My band mates, they didn’t have any problem when I said those words.
“Our first album was titled Khan gk hungke rm itz. That cameou tin 1996. I invented those words, but I had no idea what they really meant.”
Perhaps, it is the genius of Chito to coin those words and come up with those difficult titles. “It remains a joke how people will pronounce the titles correctly,” he naughtily smiled.
“To be involved in something larger than our fan base, this is really bigger than us,” Chito said. “The is bigger. This is now the theater world presented in a mainstream setting.”
“This is E-heads on acid,” teased Chito. He admitted that Parokya ni Edgar really started their singing career in 1993 after being inspired by The Eraserheads.
Unlike other musicals where male leads take centerstage, “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” spotlights four female artists — Felicity Kyle Napuli, Marynor Madamesila, Natasha Cabrera and Tex de Leon — as the headliners.
The musical also has a big cast. Included are Pepe Herrera, Nicco Manalo, Noel Comia, Jasper Jimenez, plus the 14-piece orchestra — from string, percussion to drums.
“As what scriptwriter Rody Vera said, this (musical) is an acid trip,” said Dexter. “This is a wild, wild ride. It’s really the culture of the band and the songs. We want to pay tribute to the fans, as well. This is fast-paced and highly-visual.”
Rody, who started working on the “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” script in February 2023, disclosed: “Their only requirement for me was basta hindi ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo.’ Ibang panahon ako. But that became an advantage for me. I really showcased the songs from seven albums.”
Even if “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” is staged post-pandemic, the musical still comes with new challenges for the production.
“Every new musical presents different sets of challenges,” said Dexter. “This is a highly-visual show. Very technical. There are a lot of details that we have to face with regards to the technical (aspects).
“Of course, this production is distinct from ‘AHEB (Ang Huling El Bimbo)’ because this is electric, visual, and fast-paced. It’s fantasy, it’s fun, it’s funny but it still has its little tweak in the heart.”
“Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” is undoubtedly a “rollercoaster ride” for the audience, according to Dexter. “It has to be a rollercoaster ride,” he pointed out.
“Coming from Harana, Gitara or Halina sa Parokya, it has to be a rollercoaster ride.”
Universal Records CEO Kathleen Dy-Go couldn’t be more thankful than now when “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” comes to life.
“Back in July 2023, during the final curtain call of the phenomenal ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ the announcement of ‘Buruguduystunstugudunstuy’ sent waves of excitement,” said Kathleen.
“Universal Records Philippines couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of this incredible project. The timeless hits of Parokya ni Edgar are said to be immortalized onstage. We have to keep confidence in the production team spearheading this endeavor.”