Jarren Garcia and Kolette Madelo are among the featured vocalists bringing the emotions of love, heartbreak and healing to life in ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya’s “The Art of Breaking Up,” a production that explores the different experiences people go through when relationships come to an end.
More than a story about breakups, “The Art of Breaking Up” examines the emotions that accompany the end of a relationship, from confronting painful memories and accepting what has happened to finding the strength to move forward.
For Garcia, being part of the production has taught him to look beyond simply performing a song and instead understand the emotions behind every scene. As one of the vocalists providing the emotional voice for the actors onstage, he emphasized the importance of taking direction and understanding each character’s experience.
“As a singer, what I’ve learned in this production is how to take notes from the director and fully understand the scene because here, we’re not just performing. We’re not just releasing our own emotions — we’re embodying the emotions of the actors on stage,” Garcia said during Star Magic Spotlight press conference.
Madelo likewise said the role requires more than simply singing. She has learned to emotionally connect with each song to effectively convey the feelings being portrayed by the actors.
“You’re not just simply singing. You also have to really feel it so you can express what the songs contain and what the actors are portraying so they can feel it,” Madelo said.
She also admitted that performing particularly sad songs can be emotionally draining, making the experience more demanding emotionally.
As the production explores different ways of coping with the end of a relationship, Jude Hinumdum shared his perspective on dealing with heartbreak. For him, healing begins with allowing oneself to experience the pain instead of rushing to move on.
“Heal because you deserve to, and heal in your own timing. Allow yourself to experience the grief — let it be a visitor because after it does its business, it will leave,” Hinumdum said.
Dingdong Bahan, meanwhile, believes that facing a breakup means giving oneself enough space to process what happened. Rather than immediately looking for distractions, he said people can spend time with themselves and allow themselves moments of comfort.
“I think the simplest way to deal from a breakup is to sit with it. You don’t need someone to distract you, even yourself. Have yourself a ‘me time’ and treat yourself to a good sweet after,” Bahan said.
For Me-Ann Espinosa, there is also no need to rush the process of letting go. She said moving forward becomes easier when a person chooses to look at a past relationship without anger and instead recognizes what it taught them.
She also emphasized the importance of accepting that not everything in a relationship is owed to a person.
“Nobody owes you anything. Just love yourself first,” Espinosa said.
Valdez also reflected on her experiences with love and heartbreak, saying she has learned to accept her past with greater maturity.
“I learned the art of breaking up because it is possible, and people do heal,” Valdez said.
Through its stories, music and performances, “The Art of Breaking Up” aims to show that while heartbreak can be painful, it can also become a journey toward self-discovery, acceptance and healing.
A collaboration between Peta Plus and ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya, the production brings together an ensemble cast under the direction of Dudz Teraña. It includes Yen Santos, Teroy Guzman, Brent Manalo, JC Alcantara, Anna Luna, Analain Salvador, Jel Tarun, Yesh Burce, AJ Sison, Bibeth Orteza, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Ruby Ruiz, Jake Cuenca and Janella Salvador.
“The Art of Breaking Up” runs from Nov. 6 to Dec. 6 at the Peta Theater Center. Tickets are available through TicketWorld.