VISA, an OPM jukebox musical that ran on Apr. 23-24, was an engaging and heartwarming anthology that centered around the struggles and challenges of the character’s individual lives as they try to get their VISAs approved, all centering on the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of a fictional country of Carmaine, written and directed by Fritzen Aldalba (IV-BAP) and Angelo Silva (IV-BACMS). 

     VISA marks the beginning for Teatro Bedista's venture into original musical productions since their 2023 showing of "Hello, my name is.” Aldaba recounted in an interview for Beda.Comm that the story was inspired by his experience, where his visa was rejected. In the embassy, he looked around and realized everyone had a story and a reason for being there. 

     Since writing for VISA started, Silva expressed his attachment towards these iconic OPM bands and musicians such as Itchyworms, Parokya ni Edgar, Hale, and numerous others that made it into the musical. Songs that have been fondly remembered by Filipinos, such as “Tuloy Pa Rin” by Neocolours. “Walang Nagbago” by Eraserheads and the opening number of the “Theme from Noon Time Show” by Itchyworms

     The storyline plays out as it is narrated by the consuls of the embassy, recounting four notable stories and people who went through their system of validating their visas to travel to Carmaine. The stories of the applicants tackle the themes of the difficulties and challenges of family, the risks of Journalism in the Philippines, and the consequences of fixers.

     The more lighthearted and comedic storylines focused on Edmund Remilla, a 20-year-old who simply wanted to have a vacation outside the usual beaches of Boracay. Who ends up temporarily held in a cell after he pays a fixer named Jjhanrhey to manage his documents, which turned out to be illegally made. The dynamic between the two and Jjhanrhey’s implied unrequited love for Edmund created a lot of fun and humorous moments between them, especially the short performance of “This Guy's In Love with You, Pare” by Parokya Ni Edgar.

     Another storyline that focused on a reporter named Vivian Marquez was more tension-filled, and touched on an issue of Journalism in the Philippines. After she reported on information she learnt from a mysterious informant that showed evidence of the VP’s usage of “confidential funds”, and began to be targeted by an angry mob that harmed Vivian and her cameraman, Kevin, forcing them to escape to Carmaine. 

     With a bittersweet but hopeful end, one more storyline focused on the Braña Family: Oscar Braña, Clara Braña, and their daughter Amelia, as the two parents applied for a job in Carmaine that promises a start for a good future. However, a fight happens between the married couple since Oscar’s VISA was not approved and he would have to be left behind. This storyline is one of the most realistic ones, as the depiction of both Oscar and Clara came off as genuinely loving parents who hit a hard bump in their relationship due to their circumstances. Their story ends with Clara and Amelia hoping to reunite with Oscar, who promises to join them once he can.

     However, out of the four stories, the storyline that tugged at heartstrings and was the highlight was the story of Lola Adoracion Ascuncion being left in the nursing home by her family. The song ‘Di Na Muli’ by Itchyworms takes on a more heartbreaking message as it serves as a last message to not only her family but also the people who care about her, which made the vast majority of the audience as emotional as the cast on stage.

     Venturing into these different stories enlightens the audience that no matter who you see in whichever circumstance, such as going through the means to apply for a VISA, each one of the strangers we meet has a story of their own. Sharing the sentiment that everyone dreams of a better future, to keep fighting for what matters most and how much love we have for our family.

     Despite the number of stories tackled in the nearly 2-hour musical, there is a balance of the themes of the difficult moments in family, the risks of journalism in the Philippines, the timing of jokes, and the mixed endings of good and bad resolutions of the characters, which were paced very well. Even with the inclusion of a small subplot of one of the embassy consultants pining over a woman, performing “Misis Fely Nimfa ang Pangalan” by Itchyworms. 

     Overall, VISA symbolizes new beginnings for the organization, delving into creating original musical productions. The OPM jukebox musical was carried especially by the talented cast, production, and Teatro Bedista members, ensuring that once you step out of the auditorium, you're left emotional and humming the catchy tunes of the beloved songs.