MAKATI CITY, Philippines — As questions surrounding public infrastructure and flood control continue to resonate across the Philippines, De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) is bringing these pressing social concerns to the theater through REX, a contemporary Filipino reimagining of Sophocles’ classic Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex.
Produced by Benilde’s School of Arts, Culture, and Performance (SACP), REX transforms the centuries-old tragedy into a story that confronts the consequences of unchecked power, questionable infrastructure, and systemic corruption. The production examines how the decisions of those in positions of authority can lead to devastating consequences for ordinary citizens.
Written by Palanca Hall of Famer and Benilde Film faculty member Joshua Lim So, and directed by acclaimed director, set designer, and Benilde Theater Arts Program Chairperson Tuxqs Rutaquio, the 1-hour-and-45-minute production places a familiar Filipino social reality at the center of a timeless dramatic conflict.
Set in the fictional city of Tebes, REX follows the Po family and its company, St. Paul the Apostle Constructions, as torrential rains leave more than a hundred citizens dead. As the family attempts to protect its interests, buried truths begin to surface, revealing the devastating consequences of corruption and the pursuit of power.
At its core, the production explores the cost of neglect and the dangers of treating leadership as a family enterprise. By reinterpreting the divine plague in Sophocles’ original tragedy through a contemporary Filipino lens, REX asks audiences to consider how personal ambition, political influence, and institutional failures can turn a public crisis into a collective tragedy.
Rather than simply retelling a classical story, the adaptation uses theater to engage with issues that remain relevant to contemporary Philippine society. Its central conflict highlights the unequal consequences of corruption, particularly when decisions made by powerful individuals place entire communities at risk.
Veteran Actors Reunite on Stage
Adding to the production’s appeal is the onstage reunion of veteran actors Eula Valdes and Martin Del Rosario, 12 years after both earned Gawad Urian awards for their performances in the critically acclaimed independent film Dagitab (2014).
They are joined by a new generation of Benildean performers and professional theater artists, including Benilde Theater Arts faculty member Bong Cabrera, alumnus Emilio Macabantad, stage actress Sheryll Ceasico, and former Goin’ Bulilit cast member EJ Jallorina.
The production also serves as a multidisciplinary showcase of Benildean talent, bringing together students, faculty members, and alumni from Theater Arts, Production Design, Dance, Music Production, Multimedia Arts, Photography, and Creative Industries Management, alongside industry professionals.
Its creative team includes Movement Designer Christine Crame, Lighting Designer Jose Joaquin Aranda, Sound Designer and Engineer TJ Martinez, Costume Designer Phillip Domingo, Projection Designer Ces Valera, and Poster Designer Carlo Vergara.
SACP Dean Magda De Leon serves as Lead Project Proponent. The production team is led by Project Manager Baha Vergara, Production Manager Irene Romero, Deputy Production Manager Hazel Gutierrez-Marges, Marketing and Promotions Manager Erri Rojo, Stage Manager Kate Loreno, Deputy Stage Manager Axl Fernandez, Technical Director Renz Sevilla, and Assistant Technical Director Dexter Sy.
November Premiere at Circuit Makati
REX opens on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit, Makati City. Its Gala Night follows on Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m.
Additional performances are scheduled for November 14 and 15 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; November 19 and 20 at 7 p.m.; and November 21 and 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are available through Ticket2Me, with the following seating categories:
- Trono ni Rex — VIP, elevated bleachers: ₱2,700
- Tanaw ng Tebes — Front, floor level: ₱2,300
- Gilid ng Lihim — Sides, elevated bleachers: ₱2,000
For updates and additional information, visit Benilde Arts on Facebook or Instagram.
Through REX, Benilde brings classical tragedy into conversation with contemporary Filipino realities, using the stage to examine the relationship between power, responsibility, and the public cost of corruption. As the story of Tebes unfolds, audiences are invited to confront a troubling question: when those entrusted with protecting the people become part of the problem, who ultimately pays the price?
