Theater and television performers CJ Navato and Thea Astley take on the lead roles of Nonoy and Inday in the acclaimed Filipino musical “Ambon, Ulan, Baha,” returning to the historic Metropolitan Theater (MET) on September 26 and 27, 2026. Written by multi-awarded playwright Frank G. Rivera, the ethno-pop-rock modern zarzuela explores love, ambition, social inequality, and environmental destruction, giving its message renewed urgency amid the Philippines’ continuing climate challenges.
Navato, who has extensive experience in theater, television, and film, plays Nonoy, a young man whose dreams become intertwined with the changing fate of his community. His theater credits include “Side Show,” “Liwanag sa Dilim,” “Kislap at Fuego,” and “One More Chance, The Musical, while his television and film work includes “Incognito,” “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” “Dirty Linen,” “Run to Me,” “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” “Goin’ Bulilit,” and “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay.”
Astley, also known as Thea Ashley, portrays Inday and brings her experience as a vocalist and performer to the production. She is a mainstay performer on “All-Out Sundays” on GMA Network and was the first runner-up of “The Clash” Season 2, making “Ambon, Ulan, Baha” a significant theater role for the performer. As Nonoy and Inday, Navato and Astley portray young lovers whose dreams become entangled with promises of progress brought by a logging concession pursued by the wealthy Don Calixto, played by Anton Juan, and his son Doctor Anton, portrayed by Rendell Sanchez.
The production marks a significant homecoming for “Ambon, Ulan, Baha,” which was last staged at the MET in 1992 under Rivera’s direction as founder and artistic director of Teatro Metropolitano. The 2026 staging is presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Metropolitan Theater, and produced by Pixel Art Media Production Co., with CJ Andaluz directing, Rivera as playwright and principal composer, Pipo Cifra handling the 2026 musical arrangement and direction, and a creative team that includes Anthony Cruz, Ohm David, Raqs Regalado, Charlotte Despuez, and Roman Cruz. The production also features Manlilikha ng Bayan Rosie Godwino Sula, whose T’boli epic chanting traditions add another layer of Filipino cultural expression to the staging.
“Ambon, Ulan, Baha” will be performed on September 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and September 27 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. Tickets are priced at ₱1,500 for Reserved Seating and ₱1,000 for General Admission, available through Ticketnation.ph or visit https://bit.ly/aubtickets.
