First Name Anew: The First Original Filipino Christian Musical Written by Freddie Santos

A new production of Trumpets Inc.’s First name Anew, which will feature performances by Morissette, Sam Concepcion, Aicelle Santos, Christian Bautista, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Jett Pangan, Nanette Inventor, Lance Busa, Tim Pavino, and Bullet Dumas, is a 2021 version of the original musical first staged in 1988. The filmed production is directed by Daniel Cabrera, Johann Dela Fuente, Cathy Azanza-Dy, Dave Lamar, Carlo Orosa, Paolo Valenciano, and Mo Zee, with music by Gary Valenciano, Ray-An Fuentes, Bob Serrano, and Ogie Alcasid, and new arrangements by John Apura, Jeff Arcilla, Bullet Dumas, Mon Faustino, Rony Fortich, Gio Levy, Jungee Marcelo, Choi Padilla, Yuna Reguerra, and Gary Valenciano.

The 1993 production, which featured performances by Enchang Kaimo, Audie Gemora, Carlo Orosa, Carla Martinez, Stephen Cadd, Jake Macapagal, Sheila Francisco, Lito Villareal, Jocel-Mylene Evangelista, Mio Infante, Rommel Singson, and Annamarie Aragon held at the Music Museum, recently streamed on the company’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Touted as the “first original Gospel musical”, First Name tells different stories from both the Old Testament and the New Testament of the bible. It was directed by Freddie Santos, with music by Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Ray-An Fuentes, Bob Serrano, and musical arrangements by Mon Faustino. Both productions are written by Santos.

First Name most recently ran at the Center Stage of SM Mall of Asia in 2007, featuring performances by Kakki Teodoro, Nelsito Gomez, Kevin Concepcion, PJ Valerio, Fame Flores, Khalil Kaimo, Ring Antonio, Andrei Pamintuan, Maita Ponce, JC Gotinga, Eric Mercado, and Butch Montejo.

First Name Anew will streaming from February 27-28, 2021 at ktx.ph. Tickets are P500. The production is part of Trumpets Inc’s Father’s Festival, which celebrates the works of the late Freddie Santos.