After decades in film and TV, the comedienne takes on a morgue-set stage role, inspired by Eugene Domingo and years in the making.
Pokwang (Marietta Subong) has spent decades conquering film and television. Now, she is stepping onto a new stage, literally.
The veteran comedienne is set to headline the genre-bending production “Tulog Na” by Studio A Productions, marking her long-awaited foray into theater.
The idea first came in 2023, during the filming of Jun Robles Lana’s hit revenge buddy-comedy “Becky & Badette.” It was there that fellow actress Eugene Domingo casually asked if she would ever consider doing theater. Pokwang said yes, if the right opportunity came along.
Three years later, that opportunity arrived. “I’m glad, nervous, and thrilled that I will be doing this. But of course, this is totally new to me,” she says, embracing the mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with taking on a new challenge.
A career defined by threes and the macabre
Interestingly, Pokwang’s career trajectory seems beautifully bound by a pattern of three-year cycles and darkly unconventional stories.
In 2015, she delighted audiences in the horror-comedy “Wang Fam,” portraying Malou, the matriarch of an aswang clan attempting a quiet, suburban life in Manila. Fast forward three years to 2018, and she delivered a masterclass in subtlety in Dwein Baltazar’s critically acclaimed indie drama “Oda sa Wala.” Her haunting portrayal of Sonya, a lonely funeral home owner who forms a bizarre connection with an unclaimed corpse, solidified her range beyond pure comedy.
Then came 2023 with “Becky & Badette.” True to the cycle, three years later in 2026, she received the fateful call from Studio A. The offer? A dark-comedy musical set entirely inside a morgue.
Embracing the rigor of the stage
Despite her formidable acting resume, the theater veteran-in-the-making admitted to initial bouts of hesitation. The raw discipline required by live theater is a world away from the luxury of film and TV rollbacks.
“Kaya ko ba ito?” she recalled asking herself. “Alam naman na sa theater, ‘di ka pupuwede na mag-adlib nang mag-adlib. Ibang-iba ang discipline dito. Ang hahaba ng linyahan. I need to memorize long lines of dialogue. Isa pa, musical ito, kaya dapat lang na may pa-andar.”
In “Tulog Na,” Pokwang plays Rose, a woman who co-owns and operates a mortuary alongside her husband, Mal. While the macabre funeral setting feels like a nostalgic nod to her “Oda sa Wala” days, the musical environment breathes fresh, challenging energy into her craft.
At its core, “Tulog Na” is an eclectic tapestry that seamlessly balances mystery, intense drama, sharp comedy, and unexpected romance. Anchored by the hauntingly beautiful, evocative melodies of Ebe Dancel’s iconic track “Tulog Na,” the production serves as a poignant, lyrical reminder to live life to its absolute fullest before the final curtain falls.
Venue: Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati with performance dates: August 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30 PM, August 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 3 PM. For more information, visit Studio A Productions’ official social media channels.
