Jon Santos is back on stage in a bold and creative take on mental health, identity, and everything in between.
For a long time, conversations around mental health in the Philippines have been met with silence. We’re a nation known for being resilient, always smiling through the toughest days. But behind that strength, there are stories we’ve kept quiet for too long.
Lately, though, more people are speaking up. The idea that “it’s okay to not be okay” is becoming more accepted—and so is the understanding that whatever you’re feeling, it’s real, it’s valid, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
Talking about what’s going on inside your head and heart isn’t easy for anyone. But if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community, the struggle can feel even heavier. In a country that’s a unique mix of both matriarchal tenderness and deep-rooted patriarchal traditions, being open about who you are and what you’re going through can be complicated.
But just because something is hard to talk about doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about it. And sometimes, the best way to start a hard conversation is through something Filipinos love deeply: laughter.
That’s where the hilarious and moving interactive one-act play about mental health, Bawat Bonggang Bagay, comes into the picture.
Here’s Why You Need to Watch the Rerun of ‘Bawat Bonggang Bagay’ this Pride Month
Back by popular demand for Pride Month, this heartwarming one-act play returns. Comedy icon and master impersonator Jon Santos brings it back to life. It runs until June 22 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati. This Filipino adaptation is based on “Every Brilliant Thing” by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe. It offers a unique blend of humor, honesty, and hope. All this is presented within the context of Filipino culture.
The adaptation, translated into Filipino by Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by Jenny Jamora (who won Outstanding Stage Direction at the Gawad Buhay Awards), transforms the original piece into something truly local. The script weaves in very Filipino references that hit close to home—from UP Baguio’s cold air to every Filipino’s halo-halo cravings, Lily’s peanut butter, and the unforgettable line from Cherie Gil in Bituing Walang Ningning. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s ridiculously relatable.
At the center of the story is a child who starts writing a list of all the brilliant things in life—ice cream, music, love—to help their mother cope with depression. As the list grows, so does the emotional depth of the story. With audience participation built into the show, Bawat Bonggang Bagay feels like a conversation with your inner child, your best friend, and your most vulnerable self all at once.
Jon Santos brings his signature wit and charm, but also surprises with tenderness. He guides the audience through waves of laughter and moments of quiet reflection. And somehow, in the span of an hour, you walk away feeling lighter, seen, and maybe even a little more hopeful.
Why This Show Matters
Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, this show is worth experiencing. It holds space for difficult feelings and celebrates the tiny joys that keep us going. In a society that sometimes asks us to toughen up or keep our struggles private, Bawat Bonggang Bagay reminds us that opening up is a strength. That our stories, no matter how messy or emotional, deserve to be told.
So if you’re free this weekend, give yourself the gift of this show. You might laugh, you might cry, and you’ll definitely leave with a renewed sense of why life—even in its hardest moments—is still full of brilliant things.
Bawat Bonggang Bagay runs until June 22, 2025, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. Tickets are available via The Sandbox Collective and Ticketworld.
