From Young Hector to Roger, Elesi and Romer, Anthony Rosaldo is quietly building a theater career—one major role at a time.
When Anthony Rosaldo stepped onto the stage as Young Hector in Ang Huling El Bimbo in 2023, theater was still relatively new territory for the singer and performer.
Today, four years later, Anthony has established a remarkable rhythm: one major musical theater production each year, with each role presenting a new challenge and another opportunity to grow as a leading man.
From the emotionally complex Young Hector in Ang Huling El Bimbo, to the rock-star Roger Davis in Rent, the charismatic Elesi in Liwanag sa Dilim, and now Romer Pasion in Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical, Anthony’s theater journey has become a story of progression, discipline and growing artistic respect.
And perhaps more importantly, he has earned that respect from people who know theater best.
2023 — Young Hector, Ang Huling El Bimbo
Anthony’s theater journey began with one of the most demanding original Filipino musicals of recent years.
In Ang Huling El Bimbo, Anthony took on the role of Young Hector, one of the show’s central characters. For a performer coming primarily from music and television, the production represented a significant transition into live theater.
But Anthony’s work quickly caught the attention of the people around him.
His co-star Paw Castillo praised his willingness to learn and improve, while Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Co-Artistic Director of Full House Theater Company, recognized the dedication Anthony brought to the production.
“What I particularly like about Anthony [Rosaldo] is his dedication to doing his best. He works really hard and always gives his 100 percent. It was a joy to coach him.”
— Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo
Michael Williams, Co-Artistic Director of Full House Theater Company, saw the same commitment:
“I recognize in Anthony a deep desire and commitment to always do the best he can. I see him pushing himself in rehearsals, testing his limits and then pushing way beyond them.”
Williams acknowledged the scale of the challenge Anthony had taken on, describing it as a “baptism of fire” for someone with limited theater experience.
Yet his assessment was striking:
“You only have to watch him in this show to see him win his battles and watch him fly.”
Director Dexter Santos also emphasized Anthony’s growth throughout the production and the importance of him owning the character.
For Anthony, Ang Huling El Bimbo became more than a theater debut. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
2024 — Roger Davis, Rent
Anthony returned to the stage the following year with an entirely different challenge.
In 2024’s Rent, he played Roger Davis—a struggling rock musician and one of the musical’s principal characters.
The contrast from Hector was intentional. Roger was older, more mature and a rock musician, giving Anthony an opportunity to explore a completely different character.
Most significantly, Anthony once again found himself in a leading-man role.
“I’m grateful again to have been given a leading man role. I’m excited about the learnings and the many new people I will be working with who are known in the theater industry.”
— Anthony Rosaldo
This time, the reviews began to establish him not simply as a newcomer finding his footing, but as a performer capable of carrying a demanding musical role.
TheaterFansManila’s Nikki Francisco observed that Anthony “comes into his own” as Roger, particularly during “What You Own.”
BusinessWorld also highlighted Anthony’s presence and vocal ability:
“Mr. Rosaldo’s Roger is the quintessential rock band frontman in both look and vocal ability…”
The significance of Rent was therefore not simply that Anthony returned to theater.
He returned as a leading man.
2025 — Elesi, Liwanag sa Dilim
By his third consecutive year on stage, Anthony was no longer approaching theater as an experiment.
He was building a body of work.
In Liwanag sa Dilim, the musical built around the music of Rivermaya, Anthony took on the role of Elesi, alternating with Khalil Ramos.
And this production produced perhaps the most striking critical description of Anthony’s theater career to date.
Tatler Asia wrote:
“Rosaldo’s portrayal of Elesi was masterful…”
The review went on to compare the two actors’ interpretations of the same character, observing that their differences were “night and day.”
Rather than simply being another actor filling the same role, Anthony created his own interpretation of Elesi.
Another review by BroadwayWorld Philippines described the two performances as having “striking differences,” noting Anthony’s more comedic and animated interpretation alongside Khalil’s more dramatic approach, while recognizing that both interpretations captivated their audiences.
The distinction is important.
Anthony was no longer simply proving that he could perform theater.
He was establishing his own identity as a theater actor.
Hector was his introduction.
Roger was his expansion.
Elesi was his assertion of identity as a performer.
2026 — Romer Pasion, Bongga Ka, ’Day!
Now comes Anthony’s fourth consecutive year on the Philippine theater stage.
In Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical, Anthony takes on the role of Romer Pasion, one of the musical’s leading men.
The production brings Anthony into a completely different theatrical world: 1970s Manila, disco, fashion and the iconic Manila Sound of Hotdog.
This time, Anthony is being presented not as a newcomer to theater, but among a lineup of established contemporary performers as one of the production’s leading men.
GMA Entertainment described Anthony and Jeff Moses as bringing “retro heartthrob charm” to the production.
Anthony has also spoken about how seriously he approaches his stage work. Before going onstage, he disconnects from his phone, internalizes the character and reflects on the questions he needs to answer through the role.
“When I do a show, nawawala si Anthony; nagiging ibang tao. You just let your character shine.”
It is a revealing glimpse into the mindset behind the four-year progression.
Anthony isn’t treating theater as an occasional side project.
He is treating it as a craft.
One Role Every Year. A Different Anthony Every Time.
There is something particularly interesting about the pattern.
2023 — Young Hector
Ang Huling El Bimbo
2024 — Roger Davis
Rent
2025 — Elesi
Liwanag sa Dilim
2026 — Romer Pasion
Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical
Four years.
Four major productions.
Four leading roles.
And four very different characters.
The progression also mirrors Anthony’s own development as an actor.
He entered theater as a singer taking on a major acting challenge. He returned the following year with a more mature rock-star character. He then took on a leading role in a new Filipino musical built around Rivermaya’s music. And now, in his fourth consecutive year, he is part of another major Filipino production as one of its leading men.
The recognition surrounding those performances has come from different corners of the theater community: directors, artistic directors, fellow performers and independent critics.
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo praised his dedication and work ethic.
Michael Williams recognized his willingness to push beyond his limits.
Dexter Santos emphasized his growth and ability to own his character.
TheaterFansManila noted him coming into his own as Roger.
Tatler Asia called his portrayal of Elesi “masterful.”
Taken together, these observations document a performer earning his place in theater one production at a time.
And perhaps that is the most interesting part of Anthony Rosaldo’s theater story.
He isn’t trying to do everything at once.
He is taking one role a year—and making each one count.
NOW PLAYING: Bongga Ka, ’Day!
Anthony Rosaldo stars as Romer Pasion in Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical, presented at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Set against the vibrant Manila Sound of the 1970s, the musical celebrates the timeless music of Hotdog and brings the colorful world of Annie Batungbakal to the stage.
Anthony Rosaldo as Romer — Show Dates
OCTOBER
- October 2 — 8:00 PM
- October 3 — 3:00 PM
- October 3 — 8:00 PM
- October 4 — 3:00 PM
- October 9 — 8:00 PM
- October 10 — 3:00 PM
- October 11 — 3:00 PM
- October 16 — 8:00 PM
- October 23 — 8:00 PM
- October 31 — 8:00 PM
Newport Performing Arts Theater
Newport World Resorts
Catch Anthony Rosaldo as Romer and experience the music, romance, comedy and unmistakable Manila Sound of Bongga Ka, ’Day!
From Young Hector to Roger, from Elesi to Romer, Anthony Rosaldo’s theater journey continues—one stage, one character and one year at a time.
