TV Talent Show Alums Jimi Marquez, Leah Patricio Star in RAK OF AEGIS; Show Runs Now Thru Sept. 29!

Manila, Philippines--Jimi Marquez and Leah Patricio are no strangers to people who have been watching TV talent shows. Jimi was the second runner up to Kris Lawrence in "Star In A Million" in 2006; Leah was the second runner up to Jason Dy in "The Voice of the Philippines" in 2015.

After "Star In A Million," Jimi did international shows with Sarah Geronimo, Anne Curtis, and Rachelle Ann Go. He also did musicals such as "In the Heights," "Aladdin," "Aida," and "The Addams Family" with Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group.

Leah, on the other hand, has been busy with singing gigs and special events. She also went back to being a full-time mother. She has an 18-year-old daughter and a 17-year-old son.

In the current rerun of the hit Filipino musical, "Rak of Aegis," paths have crossed for both singing competition alums.

Jimi is revisiting the role of sari-sari store owner Jewel, a character he fell in love with after watching the show in its first staging in 2014.

"'Rak of Aegis' is special to me because it's my first Filipino musical," he said. "It's also a breath of fresh air for me, away from the regular concerts and corporate shows I do."

For the first time, Leah plays Mercy, the supportive mother of Aileen, the show's lead.

In her interview with BroadwayWorld, Leah revealed she auditioned for the role twice. "I first auditioned for the show's sixth restaging. Pero medyo na late na ako at may nakuha na sila para sa role na bagay sa akin."

So when she heard about the new audition dates, she gave it another try.

What's striking to both is the encouraging team spirit at the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), the producer of the well-loved musical, which features the karaoke hits of the Pinoy rock band Aegis.

Leah shared, "Iba po ang samahan ng 'Rak' family. Walang maliit at malaking character."

"At first, nanliliit ako sa sarili ko kasi malalaking artista at haligi ng teatro ang mga makakasama ko pero hindi nila pinaramdam sa akin 'yun. Everybody was helpful and supportive lalo na sa mga tulad ko na baguhan sa ganitong linya. Alam kong hindi ako maliligaw kasi inaalalayan nila ako."

"They've embraced me and I know hindi dito magtatapos ang lahat, Marami pa kaming pagsasamahan," she added.

Beyond question, "Rak of Aegis" is one big happy family.

Jimi pointed out that "the fun you see onstage is as celebratory as the fun backstage before the show, during, and after. I think one of the reasons why the show is successful is the love and respect that we all have for each other, in every person in the cast and crew."

In between "Rak of Aegis," which runs now until September 29, 2019, Jimi is busy taping for a teleserye and is back singing at Music Hall, while Leah is singing regularly at Daniel's Coffee at UNTV, Winford Manila, Resorts World Manila, and Historia Boutique Bar.

Join Jimi and Leah, and the rest in the widely-entertaining "Rak of Aegis"; buy tickets via TicketWorld.com.ph and Ticket2Me.

This special rerun of the show is in partnership with the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and The PhilPop MusicFest Foundation (Philpop).

Photos: Philippine Educational Theater Association

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