John ‘Sweet’ Lapus does musical for the first time

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MANILA, Philippines — Comedian-actor-director John “Sweet” Lapus has come full circle now that he is doing “Delia D,” an original Filipino musical featuring the songs of Jonathan Manalo, to be staged by Newport World Resorts production outfit, Full House Theater Company (FHTC).

After more than 30 years in Philippine theater, this is Sweet’s first time doing a musical.

Audiences may be surprised to see Sweet in the cast of “Delia D,” the 11th major theatrical production from FHTC.

Sweet is admittedly not a singer. That’s why when he was first invited to read for the part of Mama Eme, the mom of Delia D, he was surprised. The latter is played by Phi Palmos. Dexter Santos directs.

“When I went for my first reading, I realized the role of Mama Eme was tailor-made for John Lapus,” Sweet said. “Mama Eme refuses to do live singing. He owns a drag bar where the performers are merely lip-synching.”

“Ayaw ni Mama Eme to sing because he is not a singer. Nag-swak ang character ko. Si John Lapus hindi rin magaling to sing live. Perfect ang role that was given to me. Real life talaga.”

Sweet started in Teatro Tomasino when he was still in college at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

“After college, while working at ABS-CBN, I did straight plays with Dulaang UP, like Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’” Sweet granted. “I did plays where I also performed, sang and danced, but not in the entire production.”

“Delia D” marks the first time for Sweet to do a musical and he cannot be thankful enough.

In September last year, Sweet had a meeting with Jonathan Manalo, but not for “Delia D.” The meeting was for another musical, “Here Comes the Bride,” that Jonathan is also working on. That was based on the 2010 film by director Chris Martinez.

“The movie of Angelica Panganiban, gagawing musical ‘yun and Jonathan will write the music,” Sweet disclosed. “I was curious if I would be given a role in the musical. Jonathan said the musical will feature gays, so I might be given a role.”

“After a few weeks, I saw on FB (Facebook) that ‘Delia D’ was holding auditions. So, I messaged direk Dexter. But the final script was not yet with him at that time,” Sweet shared. “So when I was finally called on to read for the part, that was quick. In less than 10 minutes, after reading one page, they set me aside. Then the offer was made to me. Last February, we started rehearsals.”

Sweet’s last stage production was done 15 years ago, “Shock Value,” an unapologetic look at the world of reality TV, with Dulaang UP. The play was written by the late Floy Quintos.

“Sa mga nagtataka bakit ako nasa isang musical, ako rin nagtataka,” Sweet smilingly said. “Seriously, your question will be answered when you watch ‘Delia D.’”

No wonder, it was like starting from the beginning anew for Sweet in the first three weeks of rehearsals, that were devoted to voice and singing lessons.

“We studied and learned the music,” Sweet said. “We studied the songs, the new arrangement. Surprisingly, even if I’m not a singer, I found most of the songs easy to render. Then we started the dancing part. That’s why I was saying, aabot ba ako? Mas nahirapan ako sa dance. I realized singing doesn’t require an age, but dancing does. Kasi ang buto mo, ang pagod mo, iba na.”

“Before, binubuhat-buhat nila ako while I was dancing on TV. Tinatapon pa nila ako sa mga production numbers ko sa ‘ASAP’ or my live shows at Music Museum. Pero ngayon, hindi na talaga pwede,” Sweet added. “Good thing, we do stretching before rehearsals for ‘Delia D’ and we rest in between numbers. Ina-aral ko talaga ang production numbers. Our stage managers get videos and send them to us, so even at home, we can rehearse. I’m now focused on the dancing parts.”

His role, Mama Eme, is a caring mom, according to Sweet. “Sa punto na ‘yun, madali sa akin. They did a production number just for me and the audience needs to watch out for it.”

It was not hard to convince Sweet to join “Delia D.” The project came at a time when he’s not busy with film or TV projects.

Last year, Sweet joined the cast of Petersen Vargas’ “Un/Happy for You,” that reunited Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto. The film was a box-office success.

On TV, Sweet directed the sitcom, “Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa,” with Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, that ran from 2022 to 2024 on GMA 7.

He also megged “Jack and Jill: Sa Diamond Hills” on TV5 with Sue Ramirez and Jake Cuenca. That ended in March 2024.

“I was really looking for something to inspire me and bring back my groove,” Sweet said. “Feeling ko, I was starting to lose my groove. Nawawalan ako ng groove to work. I started questioning myself. Talented actor ka. Talented director ka. Magaling ka naman. Wala ka namang ginawang palpak sa last jobs mo. Bakit wala kang trabaho?”

“Namamayagpag ang theater and I’m glad I got to work in ‘Delia D.’ My friend, who owns an events company, I direct events for them. Hindi pa rin naman ako nawawalan ng work, kahit papaano,” Sweet shared. “But I miss being in a soap opera or a sitcom. Either as a director or as an actor. After ‘Delia D,’ I need to do a regular TV show. Hindi na kakayanin ang mga bayarin. I just hope more Filipinos can support theater. There are many artists who make theater as their full-time job. It can be a nice alternative to being in films that are not doing good.”

Will he make another musical again?

“Definitely, if the role is good and the project is good, why not?,” Sweet answered. “I will always do theater. I will never leave it. I started in theater and it’s my first job.”

“Delia D” goes onstage starting April 25 and will run until June 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Newport World Resorts.