Fans of the critically acclaimed psychological thriller About Us But Not About Us have a new reason to celebrate. The IdeaFirst Company has announced that its multi-awarded film will be transformed into a stage play, set to premiere in 2026. Adding to the excitement for theater enthusiasts, the company will also re-stage Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan this October at the PETA Theater, following its earlier sold-out run.
The move from cinema to live theater promises to give About Us But Not About Us a bold new dimension, reimagining the gripping story that left audiences and critics spellbound. Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas will reprise their powerful roles as university professor Eric and his enigmatic student Lancelot. Their on-screen chemistry and unforgettable performances were central to the film’s success, with Sarmenta earning Best Actor honors at the inaugural Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in 2023. Joining them on stage is veteran actor Epy Quizon, who will portray Marcus, Eric’s former husband, a character only spoken of in the film. In the cast reveal video, Quizon mentioned Marcus as “the ghost that haunts Eric and Lancelot,” and his physical presence in the play is expected to heighten the tension and expand the narrative’s psychological depth.
The adaptation is based on Jun Robles Lana’s original screenplay. For the award-winning filmmaker, who began his career as a playwright, the project marks a deeply personal return to the stage. The play will be directed by acclaimed theater artist Tuxqs Rutaquio, ensuring a masterful reimagining of the film’s intimate and claustrophobic setting. At its heart, About Us But Not About Us is a riveting two-hander, a conversation that slowly unravels secrets and exposes scars. The stage version will honor that core while expanding the story through Marcus’s character, revealing new layers of the past and more complex entanglements between the characters.
The original film was a sweeping success, winning ten awards at the Summer MMFF 2023, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and a Special Jury Prize for Elijah Canlas. With such a strong creative foundation and an ambitious new vision, the stage adaptation is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated theatrical events of 2026. While waiting for this major premiere, audiences can revisit IdeaFirst’s award-winning Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan from October 17 to November 9, 2025 at the PETA Theater.
