Rockwell Land invests in the performing arts, bridging real estate and culture to nurture the country’s growing theater community.
Philippine theater has come roaring back after the pandemic. With audiences craving the immediacy of live performance, a new wave of companies and productions has filled calendars faster than ever. Social media has only magnified the excitement—clips of musicals, reviews, and behind-the-scenes snapshots are drawing younger and more diverse crowds, making theater part of everyday conversation.
“It’s the golden time of Philippine theater—again,” said Santi Santamaria, Managing Director and Executive Producer of 9 Works Theatrical. “From the beginning, our hope for the Filipino audience has always been that more people get to watch theater. Now, we’re seeing more shows, more productions, and a new generation discovering the stage.”
This momentum has underscored a long-standing need for more venues—spaces that can match the scale and ambition of this boom. The opening of Rockwell Land’s Proscenium Theater could not be more timely, offering a world-class stage built to nurture both homegrown talent and international-caliber productions.
A venue arriving at the right time
For Sab Jose-Gregorio, Artistic Director of The Sandbox Collective, the timing could not be more significant. “The Proscenium Theater could not have come at a better time. Post-pandemic, the renaissance in theater has led to more shows, more audiences, and more productions in need of a home or venue,” she said. “With its state-of-the-art facilities and flexible, mixed-use spaces, this venue will surely contribute to the ever-growing and evolving theater industry. Theater companies and audiences alike will be treated to elevated theatrical experiences.”
Jose stressed that Rockwell’s investment goes beyond bricks and mortar. “The performing arts industry has long yearned for recognition and support. This project opens up so many possibilities for partnerships between industries. It signifies a milestone wherein real estate and the performing arts community join forces, making theater more accessible and inclusive.”
Rockwell’s new milestone
Tracey Castillo, Vice President for Marketing at Rockwell Land, framed the Proscenium Theater as a landmark in Rockwell’s three-decade journey. “Rockwell has been in the industry for thirty years, and here we are introducing a new milestone of opening a new performing arts venue. It’s a totally new industry for us, and we are very excited to open it,” she said.
At the heart of this milestone is Rockwell’s vision of integration. “We want it to be part of everyday lifestyle—where our residents, mallgoers, and office employees can conveniently go,” Castillo explained. “Our theater is very flexible, designed with natural acoustics that allow us to host everything from orchestral performances to straight plays. This allows us to have many types of content and concepts that allow us to bring new titles, performers, and artists.”
Designed with artists in mind
That emphasis on artists was embedded in the theater’s design process. Rockwell actively sought the input of practitioners who would one day use the space. “They took into consideration all the inputs we gave from a user’s point of view,” said scenographer Mio Infante of 9 Works Theatrical. “It helped make the venue very user-friendly and truly up-to-date.”
Infante added that the Proscenium fills an important gap in Manila’s theater landscape. “It’s 780 seats—a comfortable size for producers. In our industry, venues usually go from 400–500 seats straight to 1,000-plus. This fills that middle ground. With its location at the heart of Makati, it’s accessible, and we hope to see many different genres performed here.”
A full circle moment
For Santamaria, the Proscenium’s opening represents both continuity and growth. He recalled the early days when 9 Works Theatrical held rehearsals in Rockwell’s residential towers. “It feels like a natural progression, a full-circle moment,” he said.
9 Works officially came on board as consultants in 2016. “We pitched our inputs, and Rockwell wanted the best people on board because this was new to them. We even suggested they invest in a Steinway piano. They didn’t just get one—they got four.”
Now, as the curtain rises at the Proscenium Theater, Santamaria is confident it will anchor this era of resurgence. “This is the new home of 9 Works and The Sandbox Collective, but we welcome everybody to experience the Proscenium Theater.”
The Proscenium Theater arrives at a pivotal moment for Philippine theater—bridging new spaces with the needs of artists and audiences. By filling a long-missing gap in the city’s cultural map, it provides room for productions to grow and for audiences to discover the stage. In doing so, it steadily expands the horizons of Philippine theater.
The Bodyguard Musical opens the Proscenium
The Proscenium Theater makes its debut with The Bodyguard Musical, a spectacular stage adaptation of the 1992 film that starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. Audiences can look forward to powerhouse performances of Houston’s greatest hits, including “I Will Always Love You,” “Run to You,” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
The Manila staging features Christine Allado as Rachel Marron and Matt Blaker as Frank Farmer, alongside a strong ensemble that includes Tim Yap, Sheena Palad, CJ Navato, John Joven-Uy, Vien King, Jasper Jimenez, Paji Arceo, and alternates Elian Santos and Giani Sarita as Fletcher. The production is directed by Robbie Guevara, with musical direction by Daniel Bartolome, scenography by Mio Infante, and choreography by Arnold Trinidad.
The show runs from September 26 to October 19, 2025. Tickets are available via TicketWorld outlets and ticketworld.com.ph.
