MANILA, Philippines - While a musical and a concert have already been made about a former Philippine First Lady (the East West Players theater company of California staged ?Imelda: A New Musical? in 2005 while David Byrne and Norman ?Fatboy Slim? Cook devised a ?song-cycle? titled ?Here Lies Love,? staged in Adelaide in 2006), no one has yet made a theatrical production that focuses on our country?s first female President. Until now.

?Cory: The Musical,? a production based on the life of former President Corazon ?Cory? Aquino, was conceived by Lourdes ?Bing? Pimentel (wife of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel), a self-taught composer who has produced and composed musicals such as ?Nasaan si Hesus,? ?Huwag Pumayag sa Dagdag Bawas? and ?Pagibig sa Bayan.?

To say Aquino?s life has been trying is an understatement. She is known to have been a devoted wife who was supportive of the political career of her husband, Benigno ?Ninoy? Aquino Jr., whom she married in 1954.

He started out as mayor of Tarlac, became the youngest senator in Philippine history in 1967, and emerged as a leading critic of the Marcos government.

He was arrested during martial law in the ?70s, sentenced to death, and eventually allowed to leave for exile in Boston with his family.

Her husband?s assassination in 1983 catapulted Aquino to global recognition. After a snap election in 1986, she served as the 11th President of the Philippines until 1992, the country?s and Southeast Asia?s first female President.

In 1986, Aquino was Time Magazine?s Woman of the Year and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Later she would be cited as one of the ?100 Women Who Shaped World History? and become a recipient of the J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding. She was also chosen by Time Magazine as one of the ?20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century? as well as one of ?65 Great Asian Heroes.?

Cancer

Pimentel says when she learned the former president had contracted cancer earlier this year, she felt it time for people to demonstrate their love and appreciation for the sacrifices Aquino had undergone.

?I thought of gifting her with a musical,? she says.

?Cory: The Musical? has 20 songs and tackles the life of Aquino from her teenage years until the time she accepts the presidency. Acclaimed singer-actress Isay Alvarez known for being in the original London cast of ?Miss Saigon? as Gigi and was recently seen onstage in Peta?s ?Skin Deep,? will be playing the titular role.

?It?s nerve-wracking,? says Alvarez of portraying the former president. ?I read a lot of materials on what she went through to figure out where she was coming from. There is a stereotype of Ms Aquino that portrays her as a timid person. But she?s not timid at all; she?s composed. And she?s composed because she?s really a strong person and she?s gone through a lot.?

Leo Quinitio serves as the musical director, conductor and arranger. Direction is by Inquirer Saturday Special editor Nestor U. Torre.

Torre has been involved in theater, radio, TV, film and entertainment journalism. He was the creative force behind musicals such as ?Katy!? and ?Magnificat.?

This production also serves a reunion of sorts for Alvarez and Torre since Alvarez was in the original cast of Torre?s musical ?Magsimula Ka.?

In fact, Alvarez?s husband Robert Seña was with her in the original cast of that musical and is part of this one as Ferdinand Marcos.

The role of Ninoy Aquino will be essayed by Sherwin Sozon, who was recently seen onstage in ?Dalawa Niyang Libing,? one of the plays in Virgin Labfest 4. Pinky Marquez will play Imelda Marcos.

?The story for this musical is really a study of two people, Cory and Ninoy,? says Torre, who also developed the book (script) for this production.

?It?s about the dark night of the soul when Ninoy is incarcerated for seven years and the transformation they go through as a couple. It?s about how they are challenged by the events surrounding them, how they rise above themselves.?

Produced by Buhay Isang Awit Foundation, Inc., ?Cory: The Musical? goes onstage Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at the Meralco Theater. Call 8513120.