John comes full circle in theater
COMEDIAN-director John “Sweet” Lapus has come full circle now that he is doing “Delia D,” an original Filipino musical featuring the songs of Jonathan Manalo, to be staged by Newport World Resorts production outfit, Full House Theater Company (FHTC).
After more than 30 years in Philippine theater, this is Sweet’s first time to do a musical.
Audiences may be surprised to see Sweet in the cast of “Delia D,” the eleventh major theatrical production from FHTC.
Sweet is admittedly not a singer. That’s why when he was first invited to read for the part of Mama Eme, the mom of Delia D, he was surprised. The latter is played by Phi Palmos. Dexter Santos directs.
“When I went for my first reading, I realized the role of Mama Eme was tailor-made for John Lapuz,” Sweet said. “Mama Eme refuses to do live singing. He owns a drag bar where the performers are merely doing lip-synch.
“Ayaw ni Mama Eme to sing because he is not a singer. Nag-swak ang character ko. Si John Lapuz hindi rin magaling to sing live. Perfect ang role that was given to me. Real life talaga.”
Sweet started in Teatro Tomasino when he was still in college at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).
“After college, while working at ABS-CBN, I did straight plays with Dulaang UP, like Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’,” Sweet granted. “I did plays where I also performed, sang and danced, but not the entire production.”
After more than 30 years in theater, “Delia D” marks Sweet’s first time to do a musical and he cannot be thankful enough.
In September last year, Sweet had a meeting with Jonathan Manalo, but not for Delia. The meeting was for another musical , “Here Comes the Bride,” that Jonathan Manalo is also working on.
That was based on the 2010 film by director Chris Martinez.
“The movie of Angelica Panganiban, gagawing musical ‘yun and Jonathan will write the music,” Sweet disclosed. “I was curious if I would be given a role in the musical. Jonathan said the musical will feature gays, so I might be given a role.
“After a few weeks, I saw on FB (Facebook) that Delia D was holding auditions. So I messaged direk Dexter. But the final script was not yet with him at that time.
“So when I was finally called on to read for the part, that was quick. In less than ten minutes, after reading one page, they set me aside. Then the offer was made to me. Last February, we started rehearsals.”
Sweet’s last stage production was done 15 years ago, “Shock Value,” an unapologetic look at the world of reality TV, with Dulaang UP. The play was written by the late Floy Quintos.
“Baby pa most of our cast in ‘Delia D’ at that time,” Sweet said.
“Sa mga nagtataka bakit ako nasa isang musical, ako rin nagtataka,” he added. “Seriously, your question will be answered when you watch Delia D.
No wonder, it was like starting from the beginning anew for Sweet in the first three weeks of rehearsals, that were devoted to voice and singing lessons.
“We studied and learned the music,” Sweet said. “We studied the songs, the new arrangement. Surprisingly, even if I’m not a singer, I found most of the songs easy to render.
“Then we started the dancing part. That’s why I was saying, aabot ba ako? Mas nahirapan ako sa dance. I realized, singing doesn’t require an age, but dancing does. Kasi ang buto mo ang pagod mo, iba na.
“Before, binubuhat-buhat nila ako while I was dancing on TV. Tinatapon pa nila ako sa mga production numbers ko sa ‘ASAP’ or my live shows at Music Museum. Pero ngayon, hindi na talaga pwede.
“Good thing, we do stretching before rehearsals and we rest in between numbers. Ina-aral ko talaga ang production numbers. Our stage managers get videos and send them to us, so even at home, we can rehearse. I’m now focused on the dancing parts.”
Mama Eme is a caring mom, according to Sweet. “Sa punto na ‘yun, madali sa akin. They did a production number just for me and the audience needs to watch out for it.”
It was not hard to convince Sweet to join “Delia D.” The project came at a time when he’s not busy with film or TV projects.
Last year, Sweet joined the cast of Petersen Vargas’ “Un/Happy for You,” with Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto. The film was a box-office success.
On TV, Sweet directed the sitcom, “Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa,” with Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, that ran from 2022 to 2024 on GMA 7.
“Jack and Jill: Sa Diamond Hills” on TV 5 with Sue Ramirez and Jake Cuenca, ended in March 2024.
“I was really looking for something to inspire me and bring back my groove,” Sweet said. “Feeling ko, I was starting to lose my groove. Nawawalan ako ng groove to work.
“I started questioning myself. Talented actor ka. Talented director ka. Magaling ka naman. Wala ka namang ginawang palpak sa last jobs mo. Bakit wala kang trabaho?
“I didn’t think that the showbiz industry is not in a good shape now. Unfortunately, I was among those who got affected. The industry in general was affected. Maraming mga taga television at pelikula ang walang trabaho ngayon.
“Namamayagpag ang theater and I’m glad I got to work in ‘Delia D.’ My friend, who owns an events company, I direct events for them. Hindi pa rin naman ako nawawalan ng work, kahit papaano.
“But I miss being in a soap opera or a sitcom. Either as a director or as an actor. After ‘Delia D’ in June, I need to do a regular TV show. Hindi na kakayanin ang mga bayarin.”
Sweet was surprised that most of the cast in “Delia D” have theater as their regular job and they are paid a meager amount. “I have no idea how they budget their salary with the money that they are getting,” he said.
“I was thinking anak mayaman ba ang mga ito? I am amazed. If you will ask me now, I cannot stand it making theater as my full-time job. I take my hat off and I admire those artists who can do theater as their full-time job.
I hope more Filipinos can support theater. There are many artists who make theater as their full-time job. It can be a nice alternative to being in films that is not doing good.”
Will he make another musical again? “Definitely, if the role is good and the project is good, why not?,” Sweet said. “I will always do theater. I will never leave it. I started in theater and it’s my first job.”
