The Bodyguard The Musical is opening in Manila in just a few week! From September 26 to October 19, Rockwell’s brand-new Proscenium Theater will host the Manila premiere of the hit stage adaptation of the iconic film. Expect a thrilling blend of romance, danger, and Whitney Houston’s unforgettable hits performed live. Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical proudly announced that acclaimed West End star Matt Blaker will take on the role of Frank Farmer, the iconic bodyguard himself in the much-anticipated Manila debut of The Bodyguard The Musical.
Meet West End’s Matt Blaker
Headlining the show is acclaimed West End leading man Matt Blaker, who steps into the role of Frank Farmer, the stoic protector at the heart of the story.
A Guildford School of Acting alum with an impressive roster of stage credits including his impressive repertoire includes standout roles such as Raoul in ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ Bob Gaudio in ‘Jersey Boys,’ James in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ and most recently, Billy Flynn in ‘Chicago,’ Blaker is ready to captivate Manila audiences.
He also played Billy Bigelow in ‘Carousel,’ Dick Trevor in ‘Lady Be Good,’ Dexter Haven in ‘High Society,’ Ernst in ‘Cabaret,’ Lt. Cable in ‘South Pacific,’ Levi in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’ and Mr. Bingley in ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ Beyond theater, he has showcased his talent on screen in Netflix’s hit series ‘The Crown,’ and has performed with Jersey Boys for an audience of over 700 million on China’s CCTV New Year’s Eve show.
On playing Frank, Blaker shares: “What I love about Frank is that he’s fueled by both duty and passion. He’s a man of many sides, family-driven yet fiercely committed to his work and it’s a gift to be able to portray such a layered character.”
Blaker’s combination of West End pedigree and on-stage magnetism makes him the perfect choice to bring the beloved character of Frank Farmer to life for Filipino audiences.
Filipino Talents Share the Spotlight
Blaker will share the stage with an impressive lineup of Filipino talents, including Christine Allado, who plays Rachel Marron.
Joining them is award-winning gospel singer-songwriter Sheena Palad as Nicki Marron, bringing her soulful voice and stage charisma. She has won many hearts with her powerful voice and soul-stirring music. She’s earned multiple Aliw Awards and the title of PPop Gospel Artist of the Year. Beyond music, she shines as a TV and events host and as a performer. She has starred in the movie ‘Pugon,’ and in the musicals ‘Going Home to Christmas’ and ‘Joseph The Dreamer.’
Alternating the role of Fletcher are Elian Santos and Giani Sarita. Elian made his stage debut at the age of four. He was seen in ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim,’ ‘Si Medea,’ ‘Ibarra,’ and ‘Joseph the Dreamer.’ Beyond the stage, his voice breathes life into characters in ‘Spirit Rangers,’ ‘Leo,’ ‘Not Quite Narwhal,’ and other Netflix series. Giani was last seen on stage in ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim,’ he’s also a recording artist, an international ramp model, and a WCOPA 2022 Grand Finalist. He has graced fashion runways in Japan, Milan, and New York. He has since appeared in the film ‘Rewind’ (2023).
Star Magic artist CJ Navato takes the stage as Ray Court and as Frank Farmer cover. With over 20 years in the industry, he continues to capture the hearts in film, TV, and now including his passion for theater. He rose to fame as a mainstay in ABS-CBN’s ‘Goin’ Bulilit’ and has since appeared in various shows like ‘Luv U,’ ‘Doc Ricky,’ ‘Pedia,’ and ‘Dirty Linen.’ He was last seen on stage in ‘Side Show: The Musical,’ ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim,’ ‘One More Chance The Musical,’ and ‘Charot!.’
Sought-after host and eventologist Tim Yap returns to the stage as Sy Spector. From hosting his own self-titled talk show with GMA in 2013 to more recent projects such as the Miss Universe Philippines and GMA Gala, he continues to make waves in premier events around the country and on social media.
Multi award-winning performer and Entertainment Director John Joven-Uy returns to stage as Bill Devaney. He brings his WCOPA World Champion pedigree (Broadway Category, 2006) to this production fresh from his 2025 Global Trends Leadership Award win. He was recently seen in GMA’s Encantadia and ABS-CBN’s Pamilya Sagrado, as well as international productions such as Miss Saigon (Germany) and Song of Joseph (Broadway).
The theater’s sought-after leading man Vien King is Agent Laney. A decade into his stellar career, he won Best Actor in a Musical (Gawad Buhay, LEAF Awards) for ‘Passion.’ He’s since wowed audiences as Ibarra in ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim,’ Rama in ‘Rama Hari,’ Michael in ‘tick, tick…BOOM!,’ and most recently Buddy Foster in ‘Side Show: The Musical.’ He also starred onscreen in ‘Partners in Crime’ and ‘Love at First Stream.’
Artist and educator Jasper Jimenez is Tony Scibelli. He was recently seen in ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim,’ ‘Buruguduystunstugudunstuy,’ ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ and the award-winning ‘Himala: Isang Musikal’ as well as its 2024 MMFF film version.
Paji Arceo also joins The Bodyguard as Douglas. His passion for performing started with joining his Batangas-based repertory group. He further explored his acting by taking part in indie films such as ‘Lahoy Ng Daya,’ ‘My Beshie Love,’ and ‘Missed Calls.’ He made his first TV appearance in GMA’s ‘Tiktoclock’ segments ‘Oras Mo Na’ and ‘Singpatible.’ He was recently seen on stage for the original musicals ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim’ and ‘One More Chance The Musical.’
Also joining the cast are Jasmine Fitzgerald, Radha, Fay Castro, Winchester Lopez, Carmelle Ros, Richardson Yadao, Iya Villanueva, Vyen Villanueva, Alex Aure, Julio Laforteza, Natalie Duque, PJ Rebullida, Lorenz Martinez, and Lani Ligot.
Jasmine Fitzgerald joins The Bodyguard as Rachel Marron and Nicki Marron cover. She started her star journey with the touring production show Manila By Night in Australia. She wowed audiences on the first season of GMA’s The Clash, and she was last seen on stage in ‘Once On This Island,’ ‘RENT,’ and ‘Passion.’
Vocal powerhouse Radha was last seen in ‘Once On This Island.’ She is best known as an original member of the Filipino-Canadian hip-hop group Kulay. She was also seen in the first season of The Voice of the Philippines.
Fay Castro is a theater actor, burlesque dancer, wig and costume designer, writer, and director. Making her mark with RENT, her theater credits include ‘Once On This Island,’ ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim,’ ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,’ ‘Snow White and the Prince,’ ‘All Out Of Love’ and most recently, ‘Side Show: The Musical.’
Winchester Lopez is a versatile dance artist with a rich background in jazz, modern, and Philippine traditional folk dance. He was part of the Miss Saigon UK International Tour, the Danish version, and was the Dance Captain of the German version in Austria, as well as the Australia and Asia Tour. He is also the Dance Captain for The Bodyguard.
Carmelle Ros will play Rory. She trained as a ballet dancer from her younger years with Effie Nañas, BP and PBT. She was in ‘Sweet Charity’ and ‘Grease.’ She has notably honed her Jazz skills with Salinggawi Dance Troupe, The Hotlegs, and Dancemasters.
Richardson Yadao will play Bobby. He is a two-time Gawad Buhay Awardee, dance artist, educator and choreographer. He has performed notable roles for numerous productions of the Ballet Philippines & Alice Reyes Dance Philippines such as ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Giselle,’ ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘La Revolucion Filipina,’ ‘Rama Hari,’ and ‘Manhid.’ He also performed across the USA for the production ‘Masterpieces: Celebrating 45 Years of Dance.’
Iya Villanueva began her journey in the performing arts at the age of five, training in ballet and jazz. She has since choreographed and starred in music videos for notable OPM artists. Her theater credits include ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim,’ ‘Joseph The Dreamer,’ ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ ‘Buruguduystunstugudunstuy,’ and ‘Mula Sa Buwan.’
Vyen Villanueva will play Jimmy. He is a theater and commercial actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, and a certified treasury banking professional. Last seen on stage in ‘Tabing Ilog The Musical,’ he’s been in notable productions such as ‘Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!,’ ‘Passion,’ ‘Disney’s Newsies,’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and ‘RENT.’
Alex Aure is a commercial model and professional dancer. She began her training in various dance styles, with a strong focus on jazz, as a member of the Lasallian Pointes N’ Flexes Dance Company. In 2014, she further pursued her passion for performing by joining Hotlegs Dance Company.
Julio Laforteza returns to stage in The Bodyguard. He was last seen on the musical stage in ‘Carousel.’ In 2016, he was a scholar for dance at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He is currently the Associate Director of Galaw.Co Dance Theater and a faculty member of Studio Dance by Lina and the School of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.
Natalie Duque graduated cum laude at the University of the Philippines Diliman under the BM in Dance program and joined the UP Dance Company from 2018-2020. Currently, she is an apprentice with Galaw.Co Dance Theater and a dance teacher for children and adults.
PJ Rebullida will be a performing swing. He is an actor, dancer, choreographer, educator, and Founder and Artistic Director of Galaw.Co Dance Theater. As an actor, he was last seen on stage in ‘Once On This Island’ and ‘Disney’s Newsies.’ As a dancer, he took on lead roles for Ballet Philippines and danced for Ballet Luneburg & Stage Entertainment in Germany.
Veteran actor Lorenz Martinez will be a swing. He has wowed audiences with his impeccable acting chops, comic timing and his soaring tenor voice in countless comedies and musicals both locally and internationally, including Miss Saigon in the Netherlands. He was recently seen on stage in ‘Once on This Island’ and ‘Joseph The Dreamer.’
Veteran actress Lani Ligot rounds up The Bodyguard cast as swing vocalist. Last seen in ‘Liwanag Sa Dilim,’ she is a pillar of Philippine theater with her decades of experience as an actor and educator. She was also in the 2000 Hong Kong production of the ‘Once On This Island’ and was also seen on ‘Noli Me Tangere,’ ‘El Filibusterismo,’ ‘Miong,’ ‘Rak of Aegis,’ ‘Joseph the Dreamer,’ ‘Cinderella,’ and ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert.’
The Bodyguard The Musical is directed by Robbie Guevara as director, together with Raul Montesa as assistant director, Daniel Bartolome as musical director, Mio Infante as scenographer, Arnold Trinidad as choreographer, Shakira Villa-Symes as lighting designer, Aji Manalo as sound engineer/designer, GA Fallarme as video and projection designer, Jay Aranda as technical director, and Elliza Aurelio as hair and makeup designer.
Heading the production team is managing director and executive producer Santi Santamaria, with Anna Santamaria as operations/finance director and company manager, Charyl De Guzman as production manager, Jonjon Martin and Loreta Arroyo as PR managers, GM Hernandez as marketing manager, Reine Paisley as marketing & social media head, Pachot Festejo as production stage manager, and JC Inocian as photographer.
Opening its curtains with a spectacular debut, The Bodyguard The Musical will be the inaugural show to grace Rockwell’s new 780-seater state-of-the-art Proscenium Theater. Catch it from September 26, 2025 until October 19, 2025, at 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, with tickets now available at Ticketworld. For updates, partnerships & bulk buying inquiries, follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@prosceniumtheater).
The Bodyguard The Musical is a 9 Works Theatrical production, presented by ROCKWELL, with METRO as the official media partner, MAC Cosmetics as the official make-up partner, and Pitchworks as the official billboard partner. Special thanks to ABS-CBN, Aruga, Turkish Airlines, PilotTV, and The People Diary PH by Myra Ho.
The Bodyguard The Musical is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide. If you’ve been waiting for a show that blends global star power with local brilliance, this is it. Don’t wait until the last minute, secure your tickets today and be part of the magic when The Bodyguard The Musical opens in Manila. Join the excitement with #TheBodyguardAtRockwell and #TheBodyguardMNL.
