Junix Inocian as Gabriel John Utterson in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. It ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
We are all still in shock with the news of the death of Filipino theater stalwart Junix Inocian. PDI Lifestyle broke the clearer news of a possible cardiac arrest and the circumstances of how his body was discovered in his flat last Friday, June 12, 2015.
from right: Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson) , Jack Salud (Simon Stride) and Oliver Usison (General Lord Glossop /Minister) in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. Photo by Jude Bautista
Junix shot to fame as the original cast of Miss Saigon in 1989 but has had countless theater and film roles in London and even Hollywood. His last film role was in MORTDECAI with Johnny Depp released January of this year. I can still remember him as the wide-eyed Kuya Mario in BATIBOT, children’s show. BATIBOT has since been revived by TV5 with new characters and is still one of the leading children’s shows that promote Filipino language and culture.
from left: The Dawn front man Jett Pangan as the lead role with Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
The PDI article cited a facebook post by widow Luna Griño-Inocian confirming the loss. Incidentally, I was able to photograph her Thursday night June 11 before the news broke out .The event where I shot her was the 7th Gawad Buhay awards show—the Philippine equivalent of the Tony’s. Luna is herself a playwright/screenwriter.
from right: Jingay Kaimo, Luna Griño-Inocian, Ana Sta Maria, Santi Sta Maria, Gawad Buhay Manging Dir Audie Gemora and Raul Montesa. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
The timing of his death was in a way auspicious. It was when we here in the Philippines were celebrating theater’s best talents via the Gawad Buhay awards just a day before the news spread online. Inocian himself loved Philippine theater having countless shows with Repertory Philippines.
They gang up on The Dawn front man Jett Pangan (center) as Dr. Jekyll from right: Red Nuestro (Bishop of Basingstoke), Jamie Inocian (Sir Archibald Proops)
, Oliver Usison (General Lord Glossop /Minister) and Reuben Uy (Lord Savage). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
In spite of having a thriving acting career abroad he was able to demonstrate his love for his roots when he came back here 2012. I was fortunate enough to photograph Junix during his return to stage here in Manila for Jekyll & Hyde in 2012. Most of the photos here are from that musical. The lead star of the musical Jett Pangan was almost in awe of the dozens of plays and musicals of Inocian’s work in Repertory Philippines alone.
The Dawn front man Jett Pangan as the title role with Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
The Dawn vocalist and esteemed theater actor Jett Pangan was in the lead role of Jekyll & Hyde along with Michael Stuart WIlliams. Jett described his experience, “Junix Inocian was an absolute ball to work with. He loved cracking jokes offstage but very professional once the work starts. He knew how to lighten everyone’s load. His acting. Never over the top but got his character across, a true icon.”
from left: Michael Williams as Dr. Jekyll/Mr.Hyde, direk Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyderan from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
The director of ‘Jekyll’ Menchu Lauchengco Yulo was very proud to have him as part of the cast then. Menchu has since moved on from that post to Artistic Director in Resort’s World Manila. She also plays Madre De Dios, leader of super heroes in the grand musical KUNG PAANO AKO NAGING LEADIG LADY. After receiving rave reviews it will have a second run in July at On Stage Greenbelt.
from right: Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson) and Mayen Bustamante-Cadd (Lady Beaconsfield) in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. Photo by Jude Bautista
I asked her to give her thoughts and fondest memories of Junix, “My fondest memory of JUNIX is his ability to make me laugh. We started in Repertory at the same time. 1978 A Fiddler On The Roof. When I started being given supporting and lead roles, I use to be very nervous… JUNIX saw that and would always find ways to relax me. I love him for that. So naturally when I heard he was gonna be in town for Jekyll &Hyde I offered him a role immediately. It was a dream come true to direct him and he was so proud of how far I had come; from very insecure and shy performer to actress and director and then associate artistic director for Repertory.”
from right: RWM CEO & VP for Entertainment Colin Kerr, RWM Creative Technical Dir Sviatlana Burkun, RWM Artistic Dir. Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, (Outstanding Choreography nominee) Nancy Crowe, TP Artistic Dir Nanding Josef and Gawad Buhay Manging Dir Audie Gemora. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
Menchu on Junix contribution to Philippine theater: “If I am not mistaken, he was the first Filipino engineer to take over from Jonathan Price. And he crossed over to playing Deuteronomy in Cats in the West End. He has done lots of work for the BBC and a series of movies in London. He has shown the world what true Filipino talent is, and has opened the door to many other Filipino theater actors.”
Cris Villonco was Emma Carew in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. It ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Cris Villonco is also in BITUING WALANG NINGNING at Resorts World Manila opening on June 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right: Michael Williams (Dr. Jekyll/Mr.Hyde) and Cris Villonco (Emma Carew). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Cris Villonco is also in BITUING WALANG NINGNING at Resorts World Manila opening on June 17, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
Michael Stuart Williams is also one of the premiere names in Philippine theater. His most recent role is Mitzi in Resort’s World Manila’s Priscilla Queen of the Desert. The adaptation produced by Full House garnered 3 major awards: Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Musical (Bituin Escalante), Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical (Red Concepcion) and Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical. Williams is also co- Artistic Director in Resort’s World Manila.
RWM Grp: from right: Nominee (Outstanding Costume) Edgar San Diego, (Outstanding Choreography) Nancy Crowe, RWM Creative Technical Dir Sviatlana Burkun, (Outstanding Prod. of Existing Material for a Musical) RWM CEO & VP for Entertainment Colin Kerr, RWM Artistic Dir. Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, (Female Featured Perf. In a Musical awardee) Bituin Escalante and Ultimate Production Mng Dir. Christine Manalang. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
Williams and Junix have also worked together in Repertory Philippines: “Junix was always the jokester. There was never a dull moment with him around. This is not to say that he never took any of the work seriously. In fact, he was the go to guy if you wanted someone to thresh out a scene with. He always had a ready smile and a gag to lighten your day. It was like old times. You see, I was very young when I started and Junix had already been in Rep for a while. Then there was our stint in London for Miss Saigon. So having him back working on stage with me in Rep was like a coming home of sorts.
RWM group from right: Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical Red Concepcion, Outstanding Prod. of Existing Material for a Musical RWM CEO & VP for Entertainment Colin Kerr, Jon Santos, RWM Artistic Dir Michael Stewart Williams & RWM Creative Technical Dir Sviatlana Burkun. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson), Hans Eckstein (Bisset)
and Cara Barredo (Swing). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
Williams adds that Junix had that charisma that directors like Bibot Amador and even Cameron Mackintosh needed, “Junix went against all the stereotypes. He was not conventionally handsome or super buff or anything like that and yet he would get great roles in Rep purely on his acting chops. That is to say he was handsome but not in a conventional way (like the Richard Gomez or Piolo Pascual leading men of today). His was more substance than style. Bibot knew she could count on him to deliver and he always did. And of course this was recognized by Cameron in London. I think that this is his contribution. He was consistently good and for all those who came after him, he was a shining example of dedication to one’s craft.”
from right Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson), Kalila Aguilos (Lucy Harris)
, Jett Pangan (Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde) and Cris Villonco (Emma Carew). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
Ballet Philippines’ from left: (Female lead Perf. Classical Dance) Denise Parungao, Dennis Marasigan (La Revolucion Filipina Librettist), BP Artistic Dir. Paul Alexander Morales, and (Male lead Perf. Classical Dance) Earl John Arisola. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
Theater actor, playwright and film director Dennis Marasigan posted this on his fb page: “The world is sadder with the passing of Junix Inocian, a true man of the theater — an actor and a technical theater person. I first met him in Dumaguete when he was still a Technical Director at the Luce Auditorium, then in Repertory Philippines where his performances in Pirates of Penzance and Fiddler on the Roof, among many others, were imprinted in my memory.”
from right: Actor/ Playwright/ director Dennis Marasigan, PR guru Toots Tolentino and Kalila Aguilos of Rak f Aegis. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
Dennis Marasigangoes on, “When I was in London during the Miss Saigon days, I became his guest at one of the performances when he played the Engineer, touring me backstage before the show, and even driving me home after. He always seemed to have fun in whatever role he was doing, whether it was the lead or chorus. His greatest contribution would probably his body of work, which was always excellent, yet it never seemed to get into his head or his personality. Words will not suffice to express the grief I know I share with those who know him, more so for those who consider him family. Condolences to his loved ones, and may his soul find eternal rest.”
from left: Liza Infante Robinson ( Ensemble), Teenee Chan (Ensemble), Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson), Mayen Bustamante-Cadd (Lady Beaconsfield) and Natalie Everett (Ensemble) –Choreorgrapher in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Cris Villonco was Emma Carew in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. It ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Cris Villonco is also in BITUING WALANG NINGNING at Resorts World Manila opening on June 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
The Dawn front man Jett Pangan as the lead role with Kalila Aguilos as the seductive Lucy Harris. Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
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from right: KPNLL Musical Dir./composer Vincent De Jesus, Robbie Zialcita, Alessa Zialcita, Cara Barredo & Raul Montesa. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
The Dawn front man Jett Pangan is an accomplished actor with the lead role in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. It ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
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from right: Natalie Everett (Ensemble) –Choreorgrapher, Liza Infante Robinson (Ensemble), Kalila Aguilos (Lucy Harris), Mayen Bustamante-Cadd (Lady Beaconsfield), Cara Barredo (Swing) and Teenee Chan (Ensemble). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right: Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson), Michael Williams (Dr. Jekyll/Mr.Hyde), Jett Pangan (Dr. Jekyll/Mr.Hyde), Cris Villonco (Emma Carew) and Kalila Aguilos ( Lucy Harris). Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Cris Villonco was Emma Carew in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. It ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Cris Villonco is also in BITUING WALANG NINGNING at Resorts World Manila opening on June 18, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right: TV Patrol cameraman Ricky Bautista, Actor/ Playwright/ director Dennis Marasigan, PR guru Toots Tolentino and Mario Dumawal. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
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The Dawn front man Jett Pangan is an accomplished actor with the lead role in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. Photo by Jude Bautista
The Dawn gives full support for Jett from left: bassist Buddy Zabala, Beth Pangan, guitarist Kenneth Ilagan, Jett Pangan and drummer Junboy Leonor. Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. It ran until April 22, 2012 at On Stage Greenbelt. Photo by Jude Bautista
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The Dawn front man Jett Pangan as the lead role with Kalila Aguilos as the seductive Lucy Harris. Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Presenter Sandino Martin & Pepe Herrera- Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Musical for PETA’s RAK OF AEGIS. The 7th PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS NIGHT was held at the CCP Little Theater last June 11, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Cara Barredo (Swing) in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” which ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
from right Kalila Aguilos (Lucy Harris) and Director Menchu Lauchengco Yulo. Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde” ran from March 16-April 15, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista
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from left: Michael Williams (Dr. Jekyll/Mr.Hyde) and Junix Inocian (Gabriel John Utterson) in Repertory Phil.’s “Jekyll & Hyde”. Photo by Jude Bautista
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