In an era where misinformation spreads faster than light and truth seems to wear many faces, the question asked over 2,000 years ago by one of the most divisive persons in history still reverberates with haunting relevance: “Ano ba ang katotohanan?” This serves as the heartbeat of Pilato, an all-original Filipino musical set to captivate audiences this April at the PETA Theater Center.
With its daring perspective and poignant relevance, the production revisits the so-called “greatest story ever told”--the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ--through the eyes of Poncio Pilato, a man caught at the crossroads of power, faith, and duty.
The musical traces Pilato’s journey from his early ambitions in Rome to his appointment as prefect of Judea, a province brimming with religious and political unrest. There, Pilato’s every decision is scrutinized by a constellation of figures: the enigmatic historiographer, Josepo; the calculating high priest, Caiaphas; his wise and foreboding wife, Procla; and Hesus, a mysterious and magnetic presence rumored to be the King of the Jews.
In a time when Holy Week invites reflection and as the country approaches the critical 2025 elections, Pilato emerges as a vital meditation on truth in all its complexity. Through haunting melodies and powerful storytelling, it challenges us to confront the choices we make as individuals and as a society.
“Information comes to us in countless forms and modes. But how do we sift through the chaos to uncover the truth? Would we even recognize the truth if we meet it face-to-face?” shares writer-director Eldrin Veloso. “Essentially, that is what the play hopes to put out there--a journey that dares to unravel the mystery of truth’s many faces. With our society on the brink of a post-truth era, I believe this is a story that demands to be told, now more than ever.”
With a cast of seasoned musical theater artists and gifted newcomers, Pilato offers an emotional and intellectual journey unlike any other. It is a poignant reminder that even after two millennia, the search for truth remains both our greatest burden and our ultimate salvation.
This marks the inaugural theatrical venture of The Corner Studio, a creative agency renowned for weaving compelling narratives through its expertise in branding, production, marketing, and design. Now, it steps boldly onto the stage, bringing its storytelling vision to life in a new dimension.
Don’t miss Pilato on April 4 at 8pm for its world premiere and on April 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 at 3pm and 8pm, at the PETA Theater Center.
Tickets are now available at pilato.helixpay.com. Follow them on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
SYNOPSIS
Set during Roman rule in Judea, the musical examines Pilato’s moral and political struggles as he grapples with his responsibilities as governor, his own ambitions, and the growing presence of Hesus, whose teachings and actions challenge the status quo.
ACT I
Pilato arrives in Judea under the blazing sun of Rome’s ambition, determined to impose imperial order on a land guided by ancient faith. Flashes of his Roman upbringing—his father’s stern lessons in power—flicker through his mind as he strives to shape his own legacy. Josepo, the Jewish historian assigned to document his rule, silently observes Pilato’s struggle to comprehend a people steadfast in their devotion. Clashes erupt when Pilato introduces Roman symbols in Jerusalem, inciting protests led by the High Priest Caiaphas, whose resolve underscores that faith can eclipse any empire’s might. An ambitious aqueduct, built with funds taken from the temple treasury, deepens the city’s outrage and tests Pilato’s leadership. Only Procla, Pilato’s wife, offers a counterpoint to his relentless pursuit of renown, urging leadership in a land brimming with simmering tension. As rumors of a new teacher named Hesus ripple across Judea, Act I closes with the land poised on the brink of an event that will threaten the balance of power, ambition, and even freedom.
ACT II
Against the vibrant backdrop of Pesach, Hesus enters Jerusalem bearing a message of the divine truth that captivates the crowds—some revere him as a prophet, others denounce him as a threat. Caiaphas, wary of the volatile crowds and eager to avert unrest, views Hesus’ teachings as a spark that could ignite rebellion. Upon his manuevering, Hesus is arrested and brought before Pilato. The governor then hopes to shift responsibility by sending him to Herodes, but the mockery that ensues only sends Hesus back, leaving Pilato to weigh the demands of politics against his own moral misgivings. Procla’s dream warns that condemning an innocent man invites dire consequences, yet pressure from advisors and the clamor of the crowd lead Pilato to offer a stark choice: spare Hesus or release another prisoner. The crowd condemns Hesus, forcing Pilato’s hand. In a final, symbolic act, he washes his hands of the sentence, attempting to cleanse himself of guilt as Hesus is led to crucifixion. That is how the story ended.
That’s how we know the story ended. Led by Josepo’s prodding, the play revisits the whole story once more, reading between the lines, poking on the holes, and offering an alternative narrative. Eventually the two figures will have their arguments converge in the point of singularity of this narrative: the echoing question “Ano ba ang katotohanan?”
