Theater has always been a powerful medium to explore the human condition, and Bar Boys: A New Musical did just that.
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Everyone’s had that moment—a crossroads where life feels like a balancing act between chasing dreams and staying true to the people who matter. Whether it’s figuring out your future, enduring late-night study sessions, or maintaining relationships while the pressure builds, we’ve all felt the weight of it. Bar Boys: A New Musical taps into these universal struggles, drawing you into the core of what it means to be young and on the verge of something big—whether that’s success or self-discovery.
In this musical adaptation of the 2017 film of the same name, Bar Boys takes audiences through a whirlwind of emotions as it follows four men navigating the cutthroat world of law school. The story delves deeper into the trials they face—not just academically, but emotionally and personally. Through musical numbers and dialogue, it explores the impact of ambition on friendships, the pain of loss, and the transformative power of growth, offering a profound reflection on the choices we make and the people we become along the way.
Here are all the life lessons we’ve taken to heart from Bar Boys: A New Musical.
Be True to Yourself and Take Pride in Who You Are
One of the most resonant lessons in Bar Boys comes from Torran (Jerom Canlas), who grapples with his feelings for his professor, Atty. Victor Cruz (Topper Fabregas). For much of the musical, Torran is caught in a struggle with his own identity, hiding his truth not just from others, but from himself. As his side story unfolds, he realizes that living authentically is the only path forward, no matter how cliché it might sound.
Though his love isn’t returned, Torran discovers a newfound strength in embracing his true self and shares a heartfelt number while confiding in his mom about his sexuality. This moment serves as a powerful reminder that the real victory lies not in winning someone’s affection but in summoning the courage to wholeheartedly accept who you are. At the end of the day, self-love and authenticity will always shine brighter than the sting of rejection.
Don’t Lose Sight of What Matters
Life has a way of picking up speed, leaving us with little time for the people who truly matter—or even for ourselves. In Bar Boys, the characters find themselves overwhelmed by the relentless demands of law school, drifting away from their families and friends—a reality that hits close to home for many of us.
While growing up brings more responsibilities, it’s crucial not to lose sight of what counts. A call during your lunch break, a simple text while waiting for your coffee, or even setting aside a few minutes in your busy week to catch up over dinner—remember that it’s these connections that infuse our lives with meaning.
Education and Socioeconomic Status
Bar Boys tackles the harsh realities of socio-economic barriers that impact students’ education and career choices. Erik (Benedix Ramos) lives with a single father, who works as a security guard, and they even sell their television to cover his tuition. Meanwhile, Chris (Alex Diaz) has both parents supporting him financially, highlighting the stark contrast in their starting points as future lawyers.
This disparity shows how financial circumstances don’t merely shape opportunities but also add emotional and mental strain, especially in high-stakes fields like law. The pressure to succeed mounts as the characters wrestle with financial challenges, making it clear how these constraints can stifle access and limit the chance to truly thrive.
The musical sparks a discussion on how financial privilege opens doors, while those without it are forced to push harder just to stay afloat, shining a light on the growing need for better support systems in education.
Friends Are the Support System You Didn’t Know You Needed
Amid the pressures of law school and personal battles, the four friends in Bar Boys lean on each other for strength. Their friendship highlights how crucial a solid support system can be, especially when life gets tough. Whether they’re drinking to small wins or picking each other up after setbacks, the musical shows that friendships often serve as the backbone that helps you power through the hardest moments.
Even when they drift apart, chase different dreams, and argue, their bond remains a lifeline through life’s toughest challenges.
Isolate Your Issues If You Want to Win Arguments
In the world of law, winning an argument isn’t just about being right—it’s about being strategic. For a lawyer or law student, it’s crucial to separate personal feelings from legal matters. By distinguishing between different arguments and addressing them one by one, you can extract the ‘legal issue’ from the emotional mess. This lesson isn’t just for the courtroom, though—it’s a reminder that when we face conflicts in life, breaking them down can help us tackle them with clarity.
Imagine a heated discussion with a friend about a misunderstanding. Instead of letting emotions take over, you can tackle one concern at a time, calmly explaining your perspective and listening to theirs. By isolating each issue, you not only clarify your own thoughts but also create a space for constructive dialogue, transforming a potential argument into a pathway for resolution.
Sometimes, Giving Up Can Be a Good Thing
The idea that persistence is the only path to success gets flipped on its head when Josh (Omar Uddin) decides to quit law school. In his musical number Quitters Win, Josh realizes that staying in a situation where he’s unhappy and unfulfilled isn’t the answer.
In a world that often glorifies the grind, it’s a refreshing reminder that knowing when to walk away can be just as powerful as pushing through. Think about those times when you’ve clung to a job that made you miserable or stuck in a toxic friendship, convinced that it was all part of the plot. Josh’s story reminds us that taking a step back isn’t a defeat; it’s a strategic move toward something better.
Terrifying Teachers Aren’t Always Terrible
Atty. Justice Hernandez (Sheila Francisco) is the kind of professor nightmares are made of—hard on her students, unrelenting, and quick to fail them for even the smallest mistake. But as the musical progresses, we learn there’s a method to her madness. When a student calls her out for being unfair, she makes it clear: in the real world, one misplaced word could cost not just the lawyer, but the lives of the people depending on them.
Her tough love is a wake-up call, preparing her students for the high-stakes environment they’ll face as lawyers. It’s a lesson that extends beyond the classroom: sometimes, the hardest lessons are the ones that prepare us for the harsh realities ahead.
The Cost of Ambition
Loss takes on many forms in Bar Boys: A New Musical—not just through death but also in the form of lost dreams, missed opportunities, and strained relationships. The musical lays bare the sacrifices that come with chasing ambition. Each character, faced with the relentless demands of law school, is forced to make choices that end up costing them far more than they ever anticipated. From missing out on important moments to drifting away from loved ones, the show captures how the pursuit of success can often lead to feelings of isolation and grief.
The weight of this sacrifice is palpable throughout the story, a stark reminder that “may singil ang pangarap”—ambition comes at a price. The portrayal of these struggles mirrors real-life experiences, where the pursuit of personal goals sometimes means letting go of the very things that ground us. As the characters experience both emotional and physical exhaustion, we see how ambition can take a toll, leading to deep feelings of loss and loneliness.
The Poor Are the Most Impacted by Injustice
The musical doesn’t shy away from tough truths about society. When Erik’s (Benedix Ramos) father becomes a victim of his company’s malpractice, they take the fight to court only to realize that the wealthy can manipulate the system, buying off witnesses and silencing those affected. It’s a stark reflection of the injustice faced by the poor, who are often the ones most harmed by corruption and inequality.
This narrative serves as an illustration that justice isn’t always served by the law—too often, it’s shaped by those with the most money and power, a painful reality that many are forced to face. The stark disparity between the privileged and the underprivileged highlights the lengths to which the wealthy will go to maintain their status, leaving the vulnerable to handle a legal labyrinth stacked against them.
The musical compels us to reflect on the systemic barriers that perpetuate these injustices, urging us to advocate for a society where equity prevails over privilege. After all, in a world where the scales of justice are so easily tipped, it’s the marginalized voices that need to be heard the loudest.
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