Musical theater’s ‘princess’ gets crowned
When internationally renowned theater veteran Sheila Francisco declares you the “Musical Theater Princess of the Philippines” and punctuates it with a resounding “That is who you are!,” there is little left to question.
But if any proof was needed, “Gab Pangilinan in Concert: This is NOT a Musical” delivered it in full force. Held on Feb. 14 to Feb. 15 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC, this wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration of a decadelong career that has helped shaped Philippine musical theater, a love letter to the craft, and, above all, an emphatic statement that Gab Pangilinan has arrived.
Was this a birthday concert? No. Was it her first solo show? Yes. A 10th-anniversary concert? Also, yes. A Valentine’s special? Coincidental, perhaps. But whatever you called it, one thing was undeniable: It was spectacular.
Despite having a disclaimer for a title, “This is NOT a Musical” unfolded much like a full-fledged production, thanks to direction and writing by Mikko Angeles and the musical craftsmanship of Rony Fortich. With carefully curated set pieces, poignant storytelling, and a supporting cast of longtime collaborators, the night felt more like an intimate musical memoir than a simple showcase of vocal prowess.
From the outset, Pangilinan wasted no time acknowledging her roots. She spoke candidly about the rejections, the callbacks that never came, the years of waiting in the wings. And so she fittingly opened the show with “Waiting for Life” from the musical “Once on This Island,” her voice soaring with both nostalgia and excited patience.
This concert, much like her journey, had waited for the right time, too. As she reflected on how her manager, Noel Ferrer, proposed the idea of a solo show last year, she knew that 2025 was the year to take center stage. And take center stage she did, treating audiences to a personal playlist—songs that shaped her, roles that defined her, duets with the very people who walked this theatrical path with her, and bucket-list songs she dreams of performing in full productions someday.
Immersed in music
Projected montages of childhood photos and early performances revealed a young Gab, already immersed in music, a talent undoubtedly inherited from her mother, Vicky Pangilinan, a former Music & Magic member. A particularly moving moment saw mother and daughter duet on Janet Jackson’s “Together Again,” revealing a lineage of artistry passed down through generations.
Pangilinan also shared the stage with her sister Kara as they delivered a powerhouse rendition of “What Is This Feeling?” from “Wicked,” with Made to Dance performing choreography faithful to the film adaptation.
In that moment, it was clear: Music and theater weren’t just passions for Pangilinan; they were part of her DNA.
For all its grandeur, the concert also had an unmistakable intimacy. Pangilinan, ever unfiltered, found comfort in casually sipping from her water tumbler between songs—something she’d never get away with midmusical. She caught herself saying “eme” one too many times and took a playful jab at the “nepotism myth,” clarifying, for the nth time, that she was not related to Gab Valenciano, not a scion of Manny Pangilinan, and not Michael Pangilinan’s long-lost sister. This was a Gab that only this concert could reveal—the human behind the many roles she has played.
Few moments in the concert defined Pangilinan better than when Vic Robinson, her costar in “Pingkian: Isang Musikal,” said, “Gab truly brings people together. She is the ultimate hype person.” That sentiment rang true as Pangilinan refused to make the night just about herself, instead filling the stage with the talents she has worked alongside with.
A revolving door of beloved theater partners graced the stage: Kayla Rivera (“Side Show”), Pao Castillo, Phi Palmos, Jep Go (“Mula sa Buwan”), Topper Fabregas (“Ang Huling El Bimbo”), and, of course, Robinson. She also reunited with singer-songwriters Mike Shimamoto and Nica del Rosario, with whom she shares a deep musical history dating back to her days at the Ateneo Blue Repertory.
Most anticipated
But perhaps the most anticipated duet of the night was with Myke Salomon, her on-stage leading man in “Mula sa Buwan” and “The Last Five Years,” and real-life husband. Their chemistry—seamless, electric, and brimming with an apparent love for both music and each other—was a testament to their shared passion for storytelling.
As a nod to unfinished dreams, Pangilinan delivered a show-stopping “Get on Your Feet,” a song she was set to perform as Gloria Estefan in the canceled 2020 production of “On Your Feet!” by Atlantis Theatrical. For a moment, it felt like a piece of what-could-have-been was finally given its rightful stage.
Pangilinan shared a heartfelt confession—how years in the industry meant missing birthdays, weddings, and important milestones. But if there was any sacrifice, it was one that led to this very moment, where she was no longer waiting in the wings. She had stepped fully into her own.
And what a way to close it with “Defying Gravity,” as if to say she had defied all odds and reached new heights; “Both Sides Now” reflecting on the journey to becoming a leading lady; and Diana Ross’ “Home,” a soulful, tear-inducing tribute to those who have supported her: family, friends, and the ever-loyal “Gubdivision.”
But the final bow wasn’t the end. The encore, “Alapaap” from “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” left the audience soaring, energized, and excited for what’s next in Pangilinan’s illustrious career.
She didn’t need this concert to prove her worth—her body of work had already done that. But “This is NOT a Musical” cemented something greater: It was an acknowledgment that she is, without a doubt, the leading lady of Philippine musical theater today.
Pangilinan has spent a decade lighting up the stage, not just as a star, but as an artist who brings stories to life, lifts up those around her, and makes every role her own. Francisco was right: Gab Pangilinan is the Musical Theater Princess of the Philippines.
And this concert? It was, for all intents and purposes, her coronation.
