Before he steps into the iconic shoes of Noah Calhoun in the upcoming musical adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ "The Notebook," Benedix Ramos is set to take on a transformative role in 9 Works Theatrical’s latest production "Yemaya."
Ramos will star as Jesus (also known as Mulo) in the Filipino translation of Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes’ "Yemaya’s Belly." Translated by Eljay Castro Deldoc, the play marks the highly anticipated directorial return of Ed Lacson Jr.
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Benedix Ramos. Photo by Lee Morale | 9 Works Theatrical
In an exclusive interview, the Star Magic actor and singer-songwriter shared his journey toward scoring this coveted role. While Ramos is a familiar face on the theater stage — having recently appeared in "Next To Normal," "Bar Boys: The Musical," and "Tabing Ilog" — playing Mulo offers a unique challenge.
“I was privileged to be invited to audition, and from the moment I read for the character, I felt an immediate connection to his spirit,” Ramos shared. “His journey begins when he’s around 12 years old, so I get to see the world through the eyes of a child. There’s something so pure and honest about that.”
For Ramos, the character’s resilience is what resonates most.
“He carries this beautiful sense of imagination and hope. Even when reality is difficult, he still allows himself to imagine something greater. I’ve always believed in ‘dreaming beyond what’s in front of you,’ and Mulo embodies that perfectly.”
"Yemaya" follows a young boy’s epic odyssey across land and sea in search of his place in the world. What begins as a simple "what if" becomes a tale of perseverance and the restless pull of the tides.
Ramos believes the audience will find a piece of themselves in Mulo’s journey. “I think people will connect with the experience of growing up while trying to understand the world," he said.
“Through Mulo's eyes, the world feels both incredibly vast and surprisingly small. Many will relate to the search for belonging and how our circumstances shape what we believe we deserve.”
When asked what advice he would give his character if they met face-to-face, Ramos paused to reflect. “I would tell him: be brave, take risks, and embrace every challenge. But more importantly, allow yourself to make mistakes.”
This philosophy is one Ramos lives by.
Quoting Melitta Campbell’s sentiment that the path to success is paved with failure, he added: “Some of life’s most important lessons come from moments when things don’t go as planned. Those experiences shape us and teach us resilience.
“That’s something I would want Mulo to carry with him throughout his journey.”
Ramos alternates with Tommy Alejandrino in the role of Jesus/Mulo. Joining them is a stellar cast including Bituin Escalante as the titular Yemaya, with Sheena Belarmino and Ness Roque alternating as Maya.
The cast also features Herbie Go as Tico, Sheenly Gener as Lila, and Anthony Falcon as Jelin, with Wenah Nagales as the cover for Yemaya.
Show starts from June 13 to July 5 with performances on Fridays at 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Makati. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.net.