Love, Loss, Life: 20 Hugot Lines From the Upcoming Stage Play ‘The Art of Breaking Up’

They say heartbreak is more universal than being happily in love.

Though heartbreaks are romanticized more than ever, is there really an art to breaking up? Avid theater-goers and fans will find out soon enough.

ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya and PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) present an impressive and exciting cast lineup for “The Art of Breaking Up,” featuring seasoned theater performers and mainstream actors and actresses who will breathe life into stories of love and loss. 

The stellar ensemble includes Jake Cuenca, Janella Salvador, Yen Santos, Nikki Valdez, Bibeth Orteza, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Teroy Guzman, Ruby Ruiz, Brent Manalo, JC Alcantara, Anna Luna, Dingdong Bahan, Analain Salvador, Jel Tarun, Yesh Burce, Jude Hinumdum, Meann Espinosa, and AJ Sison. The featured vocalists in the stage play are Jarren Garcia and Kolette Madelo.

At the media conference, the cast gave a sneak peek by showcasing gut-wrenching monologues and the most heartfelt but also heartbreaking songs performed by Jarren and Kolette. 

“The Art of Breaking Up,” to be helmed by director Dudz Teraña, is based on George de Jesus III’s “Kung Paano Maghiwalay“ which follows stories of couples as they fall apart, cling on, and learn to let go. The story reveals the complexity of human connection in all its warmth, confusion, and heartbreak.

“I’m excited because of the material, as this is the last play of George de Jesus (III), and [also excited] to work with director Dudz Teraña and with the entire cast and team. This is also the second time that Bibeth [Orteza] and I worked together on a relationship story,” Carlitos Siguion-Reyna shared.

Janella Salvador, whose mother Jenine Desiderio was a theater performer herself, was equally happy to join the project.

“I really have been waiting for this. It’s a dream come true. Hopefully, after this, I could do more,” Janella said.

In relation to “The Art of Breaking Up,” Janella was asked how to make a breakup less painful as possible and expressed her thoughts about it. “Who knows? Honestly, I feel like breakups are meant to be painful. You are meant to go through it, feel every emotion, and the more you avoid the pain, I think, the more you’re going to feel it in the end,” the actress stated.

Jake Cuenca also shared his perspective about breakups: “I think there’s no real art to it. It’s very chaotic. I associate breaking up with grieving. It’s something where a piece of you passes away—the attachment for that person. You go through all stages of emotion. There’s one point na maaawa ka sa sarili mo, may point where you’re proud of those wounds, or sometimes you don’t want to socialize, but basically, you get to know yourself a lot better.” 

Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Big Winner Brent Manalo also added his thoughts on the topic of coping with a painful breakup.

“Sometimes we try to veer away from the pain or try to alleviate the pain by wasting away. Hanap tayo ng rebound. Mag-iinom. Pero it’s simple. Once every single day na you teach yourself to go through the pain, one day you’re just going to wake up na, ‘Ah, wala nang sakit. Napagdaanan ko na siya.’ So you’re free to love again and fully healed ka na,” Brent said.

Metro.Style asked Direk Dudz what approach he’s employing to direct a multigenerational cast and handle the differences in how these characters from different age groups view love, relationships, and heartaches.

The director shared, “I have always worked with different actors in theater, so this is actually exciting, and at the same time, challenging for all of us. Una, most of the [cast] nasa TV and film and some are in theater so kung paano sila mag-gel. Next, simple lang ang dialogue ni George (de Jesus III) pero mahirap siyang gawin. That’s a very difficult process in terms of script analysis. Third, gawin pa nating theater so nandoon iyong perspective to see them live on stage na walang cut at dire-diretso.

“I think ang pinakamagandang process dito is learning and understanding the character and telling the story to our audience—doon ako mas excited. Ang breakup, hindi lang siya malungkot, hindi rin siya saya. May iba’t-ibang klase ng proseso ito, so ito ‘yung kailangan nilang panoorin.” 

Produced through the collaboration between ABS-CBN Tetro Kapamilya and PETA, “The Art of Breaking Up” will run from November 6 to December 6, 2026. Make it a hugot holiday season and book the tickets with friends, loved ones, or even with ex-lovers. Tickets are now available via Ticketworld: https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph.

For more updates and information, follow @teatrokapamilya and @starmagicphils on Facebook,  Instagram, and TikTok.

Lead photos from @teatro.kapamilya