Endo first came out in 2007, as one of the entries in that year’s Cinemalaya. It made a return this year, this time on stage. But are the issues tackled in the film still relevant close to 20 years later?
Photo: Jamin Lim
Endo follows Leo, a young man from a struggling family who did not finish school, leaving him with no choice but to work as a contractual worker in various establishments. In one of his jobs, he meets Tanya, a high-spirited woman who opens his world to love and possibility. As their romance deepens, Leo yearns for a sense of fulfillment and security, yet he remains unprepared for the permanence that love demands.
Royce Cabrera and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who star as Leo and Tanya in the stage adaptation, think that it’s still a must-watch today.
“It captures talaga ‘yung individual stories ng mga taong hindi natin laging nakikita. It’s usually compounded or generalized kapag napaguusapan sa news or sa discussions and conferences. Dito, makikita natin ‘yung individuals, hindi lang sa trabaho pero pati sa relationship nila, at kung paano nagsasalubong ‘yung trabaho, ‘yung love, and dreams ng isang tao,” Curtis-Smith told WheninManila.com.
Photo: Jamin Lim
While the stage adaptation captures the essence and struggles of contractual workers, it makes updates to make it more current.
“Sa stage adaptation, present time na ‘yung mga issue, mga trends. At the same time, the idea itself na hindi mawawala is ‘yung until now, usapin pa rin talaga ‘yung salitang endo, which is a struggle talaga sa karamihan ng Pinoy,” said Cabrera. “Kahit anong pagpupursigi or galing ang ipapakita mo, parang hindi ka pa rin mabigyan ng assurance kung ito na ba talaga ‘yung ikatatagal mo hanggang sa ikaw na mismo ‘yung sumuko.“
“Noong panahon ng pelikula, marami pang nonexistent na trabaho noon. ‘Yung mga delivery rider natin, hindi pa naman ganoon ka-prominent noon. Habal-habal pa, kailangan may nakokontrata ka pang tao. Ngayon, iba na rin ang setup ng trabaho nga mga rideshare or ng mga delivery riders natin. Mas lumawak ‘yung endo status sa panahon natin ngayon and hindi lang siya sa isang particular industry anymore,” Curtis-Smith said.
Photo: Shella Toledo
She also shared why people should watch Endo now:
“I think this is something na napakagandang panuorin kasi makikita mo rin na people will try to make it work as much as they can. Pero minsan talaga may mga timing na hindi lang talaga nag-meet or may mga dreams lang talaga, may mga pangarap lang talaga tayo na hindi rin nag-meet kahit na mahal na mahal natin yung isa’t isa or kahit na gustong-gusto natin na siya yung piliin natin.“
She added, “I think these are things na definitely us as Filipinos, we love to watch anything na may ganitong pagmamahalan, may resistance, may yearning, and lalo na kapag meron ding tungkol sa trabaho kasi ‘yan ang everyday struggle natin dito sa bansa. And I think it’s always good that people can resonate sa story na pinapanood nila. Hindi siya ‘yung tipong show na papanoorin mo na parang, ‘Oh, my God! Ang galing! Yeah!’ It’s something na pag walk away mo, it’s something na bubuhatin mo hanggang pag uwi, pag-iisipan mo.“
Photo: Jamin Lim
Endo runs from April 10 to May 10, 2026, at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me, with the following prices: P2,700 (VIP and Balcony Center), P2,500 (Orchestra Center), P2,200 (Orchestra Sides), and P1,600 (Balcony Center and Sides).
Cabrera and Curtis-Smith alternate with Rissey Reyes-Robinson and Esteban Mara as Leo and Tanya. Bernardez alternates with Kate Alejandrino-Juan as Candy. Joining Magtoto, Lee, Crame, and Cortezano are Kabaitan Bautista as music director, composer, and sound designer; David Esguerra as lighting designer; John Carlo V. Pagunaling as costume designer; and Eric V. Dela Cruz as dramaturg.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
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