Ogie Diaz ventures into bar theater with one-act play ‘Naririnig N’yo Ba Ako?’

This October, OgieD Productions Inc., will take a different route — from entertainment content to live theater — with its first one-act bar play, “Naririnig N’yo Ba Ako?”

The production will have a limited run on October 23, 24 and 25, November 6, 7 and 8, at Lust Entertainment Bar, Timog Avenue corner Scout Torillo, Quezon City.

The initiative is an interesting pivot for Ogie Diaz,  the man behind OgieD Productions Inc. The Filipino comedian, actor, entertainment reporter, talent manager, and producer has long been a self-confessed theater fan. In fact, some friends have actually asked if he wanted to act in a stage production.

“Sobra akong busy, eh. 30 calendar days ang rehearsals n’yan, baka ‘di ko kayanin,” Diaz said.

“Kaya tayo na lang ang nag-produce just to experience producing it. Saka mahal ngayon ang live experience, kaya since sa bar ito gaganapin, 1K lang ang ticket.”

“Naririnig N’yo Ba Ako?” is a story of three strangers whose paths cross in one night — a self-confessed cutie ex-POGO worker, a single mom working as a waitress, and a trans woman in search of an AFAM (short for ‘a foreigner around Manila). That one night will change the rest of their lives.

Playwright and director Kim Marasigan, for his part, said he has always wanted to bring theater closer to people.

“I always wanted to make theater more accessible and closer to people. You can find a bar in most cities in the Philippines. It is a familiar, casual space where conversations naturally happen. By creating a story about a bar, staged within a bar, the audience becomes more than spectators. They become part of the experience,” Marasigan said.

Headlining “Naririnig N’yo Ba Ako?” are Hunter and Kych Minemoto alternating as Mark, Krista ‘Rufami’ Aguilar and Marissa Sanchez as Liza, and Emi Felix and Serena Magiliw as Ava.

Part of the proceeds will benefit the Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit, non-governmental organization in the Philippines founded by the late Napoleon Nicetas B. ‘Nap’ Marilag. Its main thrust is to provide immediate, safe, and free clean blood to hospital patients in need of transfusions to extend lives.  

If looking for a new theatrical experience, “Naririnig N’yo Ba Ako?” is worth the bar hop.

For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact +63915.113.7562.