Martin del Rosario reunites with Eula Valdes after 12 years

Seasoned film and television actor Martin del Rosario is returning to live theater with a modern reimagining of Sophocles’ classic tragedy, “REX.”

After making his official stage debut in IdeaFirst Live’s “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan” (2025), a stage adaptation of the 2015 Philippine political thriller film of the same name, Martin is marking his highly anticipated sophomore stage outing with “REX.”

In this production, Martin takes on the titular role of Rex, or Oedipus, a man who refuses to believe in a prophecy that warned him years ago that he would kill his father and marry his mother.

On challenging roles

Onstage, the actor seems to have made a conscious choice to gravitate toward complex, morally fraught characters, from Joel in “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan” to Oedipus in “REX.”

For Martin, both characters are among the most challenging roles he has taken on.

He describes Oedipus as a character who has physical sight but remains completely blind to his own identity until it is too late.

“I always had this passion for challenging myself. I always love taking on new things, new adventures, new experiences or anything I have not laid my hands on,” Martin shares.

“Because once I have hurdled one, then it’s like discovering another part of myself — what I can do outside of what I have already been doing, like getting out of my usual comfort zone that allows me to know myself more. It’s a never ending learning process for me so that I can also constantly learn new things which I can use in further developing my skills as an actor.”

Sophocles’ classic explores the idea that humans cannot outrun or escape their destined fate, no matter how hard they try.

Leadership and compassion

Asked about his own take on the subject, Martin says: “I believe in both. Because fate is something you cannot control. It is something that is destined to happen.”

“But what makes life more challenging is how you can use your free will to somehow change or twist fate. It is your ability to make choices that will somehow reshape your fate or your destiny.”

Known in the classic as a compassionate leader who grieves for his citizens far more than he does for himself, Oedipus’ brand of leadership feels particularly timely.

For Martin, it is exactly the kind of leadership the Philippines needs at present.

“Definitely. For me, compassion and empathy are two of the most important qualities that a nation’s leader should have, of course apart from the usual intelligence and determination required to make a great leader,” he notes.

“Knowing the needs of your citizens, knowing their issues and offering them the kind of nation each of them deserves are the basic stepping stones in achieving good governance.”

A 12-year reunion

The production is set to run on November 14 and 15 (2 PM and 7 PM), November 19 and 20 (7 PM), and November 21 and 22 (2 PM and 7 PM) at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Makati City.

The production is headlined by seasoned actress Eula Valdes and Martin, marking their onstage reunion 12 years after both earned Gawad Urian awards for their critically acclaimed performances in the independent film “Dagitab” (2014).

Joining them is an ensemble of promising Benildean thespians, alongside professional actors and Benilde Theater Arts faculty members Bong Cabrera and Emilio Macabantad, stage actress Sheryll Ceasico, and “Goin’ Bulilit” alumna EJ Jallorina.

Produced by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) through its School of Arts, Culture, and Performance (SACP), “REX” was written by Palanca Hall of Famer and Benilde Film faculty member Joshua Lim So and directed by Benilde Theater Arts Program chair Tuxqs Rutaquio.

Tickets are available at Ticket2Me.net.