9 Works Theatrical unveils a Mythic Ensemble for the Highly Anticipated Premiere of ‘Yemaya’
9 Works Theatrical unveils a Mythic Ensemble for the Highly Anticipated Premiere of ‘Yemaya’
SINEGANG.ph published this press release as shared by 9 Works Theatricals. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
9 Works Theatrical finally pulled back the curtains and revealed the powerhouse cast for its upcoming production, YEMAYA.
Blending seasoned theater titans with sought-after young talents, this production promises to be a visceral exploration of myth, motherhood, and the tides of fate.
The role of Jesus/Mulo will be shared by Tommy Alejandrino and Benedix Ramos.
Tommy is an award-winning film and theater actor best known for his portrayal of Amir in the critically acclaimed film ‘The Baseball Player.’ He was also seen in films such as ‘Mallari, ‘GomBurZa,’ ‘Salome’ and ‘Her Locket,’ where his performances earned him several nominations. He studied theater at the Philippine High School for the Arts, where he trained for six years in acting, directing, and dramaturgy.
Benedix is an actor, singer-songwriter, host, and content creator managed by Star Hunt/Star Magic ABS-CBN. He gained fame as a lead in the ‘Better Days’ and as the "Streamboy Apo ng Pangasinan" on ‘Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10: Celebrity Edition.’ In theater, Benedix was last seen in ‘Next To Normal’ and ‘Bar Boys: The Musical.’
He was also part of ‘Tabing Ilog: The Musical.’
Taking on the pivotal role of Maya are Sheena Belarmino and Ness Roque.
Sheena is a Star Magic artist-singer, dancer, actress and host-who began her career in reality competitions such as Dance Kids, Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids, and Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids. She debuted as an actress in Lyric and Beat as Melissa. She earned her first Gawad Buhay nomination for Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Musical for her role as ‘One More Chance The Musical.’ She was last seen in ‘Spring Awakening,’ ‘Next to Normal,’ ‘Tabing Ilog: The Musical,’ and ‘Bar Boys: The Musical.’
Ness is a theater and film actor, performance dramaturg, and educator. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Global Arts-Arts Studies and Curatorial Practices at the Tokyo University of the Arts under the MEXT Scholarship grant. She also studied at the Philippine High School for the Arts, and Tokyo University of the Arts (MA). Her touring productions include ‘Traveling Tongues’ and ’The Window of Spaceship ‘In-Between.’ Her notable performances for film include ‘How to Disappear Completely’ and ‘Now Showing.’ Ness co-founded Salikhain Kolektib, an interdisciplinary arts and research collective.
Anchoring the production and playing the titular role of Yemaya/Inay is the legendary Bituin Escalante.
Bituin’s career spans almost three decades. Her definitive performances onstage have earned her multiple awards, cementing her name as one of Philippine theater’s powerhouses. She won Gawad Buhay Awards for Best Featured Female Performance in Musical Theatre for ‘Himala Isang Musikal’ and ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert,’ Broadwayworld Best Actress awards, and multiple Awit Awards for her recordings. She was last seen on stage in ‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal.’
Veteran actor and director Herbie Go joins Yemaya as Tico.
Herbie is an actor, director and teacher. In 2005, as artistic director of Tanghalang Pilipino, he co-founded the Virgin Labfest. He holds a degree in Theater Arts from the University of the Philippines. He also taught at the Philippine High School for the Arts for more than a decade. His recent performances include ‘About Us But Not About Us,’ ‘Climate in Crazies,’ ‘Shooting Stars,’ and ‘Lamay in Malaya.’
Rounding up the cast are Sheenly Gener who will play Lila, Anthony Falcon who will play Jelin, and Wenah Nagales as cover for Yemaya/Inay.
Sheenly is an award-winning actress for the stage, television, commercial, and film. She won Best Supporting Actress for ‘Dormitoryo (Mga Walang Katapusang Kwarto).’ She was also cited for her performance in ‘Insiang.’ She was a full scholar for Theater Arts at the Philippine High School for the Arts and at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (bachelor's degree in Arts Management).
Anthony is a distinguished alum of the Berlinale Talents Acting Studio in Berlin, Germany. He received the prestigious Best Performance Award from the Young Critics Circle Film Desk for his role in ‘Mga Gabing Kasing Haba Ng Hair Ko.’ He showcased his talent as one of the lead actors in ‘Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus.’ Anthony has also been a two-time nominee for the Gawad Urian Best Actor award for his performances in ‘Requieme’ and ‘Anino Sa Likod Ng Buwan.’
Wenah is a co-founder of KOLABorador and creates devised performances in unconventional spaces. Most recently, she appeared in ‘Lamay in Malaya.’ She has worked across theater, film, education, hospitality, and advertising for over twenty years, with credits including major resident theater productions at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the early 2000s, ‘Honor Thy Father,’ ‘Gasping for Air,’ ‘Astro Boo Originals: Door Beneath the Earth,’ ‘Replacing Chef Chico,’ and ‘Pagkapit sa Hangin.’
Yemaya follows a young boy’s epic journey as he traverses the lands and seas in search for his true place in the world. What starts as a wondering of “what if” turns into an adventure of “what could be” in this fantasy-ridden tale of perseverance, hope, and the restless pull of the tides.
Joining the artistic team are Ed Lacson Jr. as director and set designer; Eljay Castro Deldoc as Filipino translator; Teresa Barrozo as music and sound designer; Wika Nadera as assistant set designer and art director; JM Cabling as movement director; Ericson Navarro as costume and prop designer; Jethro Nibaten as lighting designer; Sheik Completado as technical director, Elliza Aurelio as hair and makeup designer, and Lee Morale as photographer.
Heading the 9 Works Theatrical production team is managing director and executive producer Santi Santamaria; with artistic director Robbie Guevara, associate artistic director Mio Infante; operations and finance director Anna Santamaria; production manager Charyl De Guzman; PR managers Jonjon Martin and Loreta Arroyo; marketing managers GM Hernandez and Mariella Laurel; marketing & digital content head Vinz Cantillo; and production stage managers Mara Agleham and Pat Gascon.
YEMAYA will be showing on all weekends from June 13 until July 5, 2026, at 8:00 PM on Fridays, 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Makati. Tickets are now available on Ticket2Me.net.
For updates, partnerships & show buying inquiries, follow 9 Works Theatrical on Facebook and Instagram (@9WorksTheatrical) and on Twitter/X (@9WorksOfficial).
Special thanks to Pitchworks Inc., The People Diary PH by Myra Ho, and PilotTV.
