'Bawat Bonggang Bagay,' a one-man play by Jon Santos, reminds us all the reasons to keep living

If we could list every brilliant thing in the world, big or small, maybe we'd see them as reasons to keep living.

This is the takeaway from "Bawat Bonggang Bagay," the Filipino translation of Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe's interactive one-man play "Every Brilliant Thing."

Multifaceted artist and comedian Jon Santos takes center stage for the play, which starts with Jon handing out a couple of papers that bore lists to the crowd.

The list is filled with random food, things, experiences, and feelings like halo-halo, rollercoasters, dancing and singing alone in the room, the sense of reconciliation, and being alive.

As the story progresses, Jon transports the audience to his childhood and reveals why he started the list in his tiny notebook: it's for his mother, who would often harm herself.

He admits that as a kid, he never fully understood her, but he knows he made the list to tell her that life is worth living.

As he grew up, the list kept going.

“Noong bata tayo, madaling sumaya. Pero noong tumada, parang ang hirap. Siguro dala ng mga pangarap na hindi natupad and mga pagsubok ng panahaon, mahirap nang hanapin 'yung saya,” Jon says in despair.

Jon stresses a powerful message amidst the show and told us that no matter how bad your life can be, someday, something might change somewhere.

“Hindi naman lahat, bad. May magbabago. Hindi nga lang lahat, bongga, pero magbabago,” Jon says.

As emotional as the play is, Jon makes guests laugh with his comedic timing, wordplay, and brilliance.

Moreover, with the main character remaining nameless, the audience are free to make it their own story and spark a desire to make their own list.

Jon Santos is popularly known as the iconic impersonator of the Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and other famous personalities.

He also played the role of older Emman in "Ang Huling El Bimbo" the musical in 2018.

If you need a good laugh and a bit of an embrace to your inner child, go watch Bawat Bonggang Bagay and ask yourself: "If you could travel back in time what one piece of advice could you share with your younger self?"

Just in time for Pride Month, "Bawat Bonggang Bagay," will run from June 22 to 30 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

BBB was first staged in 2023 as a part of Sandbox Fest 2023, and it was nominated for Best Play at the 2023 BroadwayWorld Philippines Awards, with Santos receiving a Best Actor nomination.

Tickets are available via premier.ticketworld.com.ph, with prices ranging from P1,620 to P2,160. —JCB, GMA Integrated News