YEMAYA: 9 Works Theatrical’s 2026 Cast
Review update, September 7, 2026: Read our YEMAYA review, based on the June 12, 2026 press preview of the play. The cast announcement below retains its original schedule and ticket information.
Bituin Escalante was announced as Yemaya/Inay in 9 Works Theatrical’s YEMAYA, with Tommy Alejandrino and Benedix Ramos alternating as Jesus/Mulo, and Sheena Belarmino and Ness Roque alternating as Maya.
The production uses Filipino text by Eljay Castro Deldoc, based on Yemaya’s Belly by Quiara Alegría Hudes, with Ed Lacson Jr. directing and designing the set. The original run was announced for June 13 to July 5, 2026 at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater, Rockwell, Makati.
This article records the April 29 cast announcement and its accompanying biographies. It does not assess the alternate casts’ performances. Hudes, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, also wrote the book for In the Heights.
The announced cast and alternates
Escalante’s stage credits listed for the production include Himala: Isang Musikal, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Pingkian: Isang Musikal. The release described a career spanning nearly three decades.
Alejandrino’s film work includes The Baseball Player, Mallari, GomBurZa, Salome and Her Locket. He trained in acting, directing and dramaturgy at the Philippine High School for the Arts. Ramos, managed by Star Hunt and Star Magic ABS-CBN, works across acting, music, hosting and content creation. His credits include Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10: Celebrity Edition and Better Days, alongside stage appearances in Next to Normal, Bar Boys: The Musical and Tabing Ilog: The Musical.
Belarmino, a Star Magic artist, appeared in Dance Kids, Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids and Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids. Her theater credits include One More Chance: The Musical, Spring Awakening, Next to Normal, Tabing Ilog: The Musical and Bar Boys: The Musical.
Roque is an actor, performance dramaturg, educator and co-founder of Salikhain Kolektib. At the time of the announcement, her biography described doctoral studies in Global Arts, Arts Studies and Curatorial Practices at Tokyo University of the Arts under a MEXT Scholarship. Her touring work includes Traveling Tongues and The Window of Spaceship In-Between.
Herbie Go was announced as Tico. An actor, director and teacher, he co-founded Virgin Labfest in 2005 while artistic director of Tanghalang Pilipino. His listed recent performances included About Us But Not About Us, Climate in Crazies, Shooting Stars and Lamay in Malaya.
Sheenly Gener plays Lila, Anthony Falcon plays Jelin, and Wenah Nagales is the cover for Yemaya/Inay. Gener’s biography cites her work in Dormitoryo (Mga Walang Katapusang Kwarto) and Insiang. Falcon’s includes the Berlinale Talents Acting Studio, a Young Critics Circle Film Desk award for Mga Gabing Kasing Haba Ng Hair Ko, and Gawad Urian nominations for Requieme and Anino Sa Likod Ng Buwan.
Nagales co-founded KOLABorador. Her biography describes more than two decades of work across theater, film, education, hospitality and advertising, with Lamay in Malaya among her recent credits.
Hudes’ play in Filipino
The producer’s synopsis follows a young boy traveling across land and sea in search of his place in the world. Deldoc’s Filipino text and Lacson’s direction identify the local staging’s principal adaptations. The announcement alone cannot establish how its treatment of family, myth or belonging works in performance.
Creative and production credits
The creative team includes Ed Lacson Jr. as director and set designer, Eljay Castro Deldoc for the Filipino text, Teresa Barrozo as music and sound designer, Wika Nadera as assistant set designer and art director, JM Cabling as movement director, Ericson Navarro as costume and prop designer, Jethro Nibaten as lighting designer, Sheik Completado as technical director, Elliza Aurelio as hair and makeup designer, and Lee Morale as photographer.
The 9 Works Theatrical production team is led by managing director and executive producer Santi Santamaria, with artistic director Robbie Guevara, associate artistic director Mio Infante, operations and finance director Anna Santamaria, production manager Charyl De Guzman, PR managers Jonjon Martin and Loreta Arroyo, marketing managers GM Hernandez and Mariella Laurel, marketing and digital content head Vinz Cantillo, and production stage managers Mara Agleham and Pat Gascon.
Original schedule and ticket prices
The announced weekend run was June 13 to July 5, 2026 at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater, Rockwell, Makati. Friday shows were scheduled for 8:00 PM, with Saturday and Sunday performances at 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
The original article listed VIP tickets at ₱2,900, Premium at ₱2,600 and Regular at ₱2,200, through Ticket2Me. These are historical prices, not an offer of currently available seats.
For official updates, 9 Works Theatrical listed Facebook and Instagram at @9WorksTheatrical, X at @9WorksOfficial, and #Yemaya9wtMNL.