“Against All Odds,” is this year’s theme for Doctors-on-Stage (DOS) 11th production to be held on Saturday, Sept 26, 2026, 6 pm, at The Salvation Army Kroc Center Hawaii, a benefit-concert for the Bayanihan Clinic Without Walls (BCWW). DOS is the BCWW’s only fundraising arm. Ticket prices are $100, $50, $25, contact: (808) 518-8929, (808) 387-8297.
DOS producer/founder and BCWW co-founder Dr. Charlie Sonido explains the “Against All Odds” theme. “In a world full of uncertainties and challenges, resilience and determination help us to push through — that despite today’s overwhelming challenges, the human spirit triumphs. It celebrates the human capacity to overcome. The theme is a sequel to last year’s production of Love: Found and Lost,” he said.
DOS is a community theater project, a group of talented doctors, medical professionals and their performing arts supporters, who sing and dance as an outlet for relief from their busy work. DOS allows them to share their love for the arts for a charitable cause.
Like DOS’s earlier explorations of the universal human condition, “Against All Odds” seeks to inspire. A 35-year-old parent with young children confronting Stage 2 cancer — summoning the will to live and fighting against all odds – could draw inspiration from DOS’ latest production. So, too, could a senior living paycheck to paycheck, pushing a frail, aching body through another day of punishing work. Different lives, endless examples of hardship, defying the odds and finding a way to keep going until the very end – sums up this universal theme.
Dr. Sonido said the audience can expect a few new surprises. “This production is unique because it marks a generational change. The original participants — singers, dancers, and narrators –are gone for multiple reasons. A new wave of heroes is coming along.”
He adds that BCWW is also undergoing expanded work. “The scope of services has also improved. Not only are we still providing free medical/dental assistance to legal immigrants, but we have extended the services to the neighboring islands, through medical missions and helping the COVID survivors, and lately, the victims of the Kona low storms in the North Shore. We have also continued to support the medical missions to the Philippines,” Dr. Sonido said.
Besides their 11 full productions, DOS has presented three other mini productions in the neighboring islands.
A few of DOS’ full productions are “In Tune with War & Peace” (2004) — about family, country, and service; “Butterflies & Kisses” (2008) — the challenges and rewards of raising children; “Noblesse Oblige” (2018) — love of community and the responsibility to serve; “Rainbow Connection” — the Filipino immigrant journey to Hawaii; “Fundemic” (2022) — life during and after the COVID-19 pandemic; “Love: Found & Lost” — It’s Better to Have Loved and Lost Than Never to Have Loved at All (2025) — love, separation, grief, healing, and redemption.
“We keep doing them [DOS productions] because there is a need for a continued source of income to support BCWW’s project, especially because there is no governmental support,” Dr. Sonido told the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle.
BCWW is a non-profit community healthcare project established by the Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii (PMA) in 1997. Volunteer physicians provide, uninsured, low-income residents and legal immigrants with free basic medical, dental, counseling and other services like imaging and physical examination for school and employment.
“Against All Odds” songs
JP Orias, DOS Creative Director, teases this production, “Broadway is too far in the mainland. Have a glimpse of Broadway at the Krock Center on September 26, when you see ‘Wait for Me’ [a song from Hadestown musical].”
Orias said some of the showstoppers this production includes Tony award-winning songs from Hadestown, like “Wedding Song,” “Wait for Me,” and “All I’ve Ever Known.” Others include “Risk It All” by Bruno Mars, “Hanggang” by Troy Laureta, and “Butter” by BTS, as interpreted by DOS. He said there’s a total of 30 showtunes.
Dr. Sonido came up with the theme and the songs as he’s done for all DOS productions. Orias said, “It sounded so easy, but we valued more the fun that went into creating the entire musicale. We could feel that he [Sonido] was having fun creating a totally different musicale with a different story line from popular and time-tested tunes. He gave all 52 songs to us to figure out what songs would support the theme – Against All Odds. It was fun studying all songs and correlating them with each other with multiple revisions until a perfect line up of songs created a storyline.”
Who’s Who in the Production and Cast
Orias said, “Against all Odds” will surprise you with new doctors who can sing and dance and can give “BTS, Bruno Mars, Hadestown a run for their safety.” He added, “The DOS production staff is always looking for new theatrical ways of interpreting old concepts in acting. These are medical doctors who greet you in their clinics for your monthly checkups like Dr. Coreen Hobbs, Dr. Mel Ona, Dr. Ross Simafranca, Dr. Ritabelle Fernandez, Dr. Agnes Serranilla-Sonido, Dr. Alfie Riveral and Alvin Aurelio, Dr Nestor Del Rosario and Dr. Luisa Corpuz. Surprisingly, you will also meet new doctors seeking residency in the U.S. through Primary Care Clinic of Hawaii. They are Dr. Kevin Arendon, Dr. Arnold Barzaga, and Dr. Jillian Derequito and future doctors like Kainoa Jackson. And Leigh Medina,” Orias said.
Production: Charlie Y. Sonido, Producer, JP Orias, Artistic Director, Mark Joven Arista, Musical Director, Rafael Velasco, Ballroom Dances, Harmony, Charlene Barro, President, RWDA, Jay Flores, Rehearsal Master, Nelson Sonido and Erlinda Sonido, Rehearsal Hall Managers.
Ariel “Jay” Flores, BCWW President, DOS cast member for his seventh time, said “although we have a small cast [this time], we have a cast that will deliver powerhouse performances. We have spent the last two months rehearsing our ensemble numbers. I will be singing one song that requires a soulful bluesy style that I am not used to but I hope the audience will appreciate.”
Prior to DOS, Flores was active in the Honolulu community theatre scene since 2001 performing in shows such as “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The King and I,” “Cats,” “Miss Saigon,” and others. He was also in “Pirates of Penzance” at the Hawaii Opera Theater where he is an adjunct member of the Mae Z Orvis Opera Studio. Flores is a physical therapist who specializes in outpatient orthopedics. He holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Utica College. He’s been the President of BCWW since 2021.
Flores said, “Doctors-on-Stage has been the primary fundraising arm of BCWW since the organization’s inception. 100% of the net proceeds of our concerts are used by BCWW for its day-to-day operations.”
Dr. Ritabelle Fernandes, cast member for a fourth time, medical director of population health at AlohaCare, said she’s deeply honored to sing ‘Coconut Heart’ from her newly released album, “Returning Home.” “The song carries a simple but important message for caregivers: while giving so much of themselves to others, they must also allow themselves to receive care, compassion, and support,” Dr. Fernandes said.
She elaborated that much of her professional work focuses on improving care for kupuna, caregivers, and people living with serious illnesses. “’Returning Home’ grew from that same mission, finding new and compassionate ways to make caregiver education accessible through music and the arts. Doctors-On-Stage reminds us that physicians and healthcare professionals are more than our clinical roles. The arts give us a space to connect, recharge, and share joy with one another and our community,” she said.
Her palette-knife oil painting of Kilauea is also featured on the cover of the Playbill. Dr. Fernandes is a geriatrician and board-certified hospice and palliative medicine physician. Her experience in the arts – she earned the Licentiate of Trinity College London (LTCL) in Pianoforte, taught piano in Mumbai, and served as a church organist at St. Andrew’s Church in Bandra for about 10 years.
“Against All Odds” is Dr. Mel Ona’s third DOS production. He performed in “Fundemic” and “Love Found & Lost” previously. He said this theme resonates deeply with him because so much of life is about continuing to move forward despite uncertainty, setbacks, and the inevitable challenges we encounter along the way.
Dr. Ona said, “My role allows me to express that message primarily through music. I hope to bring a combination of power, vulnerability, and optimism to the stage. More than simply performing songs, I want the audience to feel the underlying message: that our circumstances do not have to define our destination, and that there is always an opportunity to grow, reinvent ourselves, and keep moving toward the person we hope to become. That philosophy extends far beyond music for me. Whether in medicine, academics, entrepreneurship, fitness, writing, or performing, I have come to believe that meaningful growth rarely happens all at once. It comes from consistent progress, curiosity, and the willingness to keep challenging ourselves.” Dr. Ona is a board-certified gastroenterologist.
Special fundraising for BCWW at DOS. Dr. Ona will celebrate the release of his new five-song solo EP, produced by Kristian Lei, at DOS on September 26th. The recording showcases Ona’s classical and theatrical vocal style through songs centered on hope, perseverance, and the pursuit of one’s dreams, including his rendition of “Go the Distance,” which he will perform during the show. Special limited-edition cassette-shaped USB copies of the EP, accompanied by an autographed keepsake card, will be available at the event for a minimum suggested donation of $10, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Bayanihan Without Walls.
“Against All Odds” musical director Mark Joven Arista returns for another DOS performance. He made his debut during the Fundemic concert in 2022, which theme centered on the COVID-19 pandemic. Arista said, “Together with my band, Brown Couch (Marc Calizo – Lead Guitar, Harold Ibea – Bass, Paul Rubio – Drums), we are bringing a full live music experience featuring our own unique arrangements and renditions across the entire song repertoire.”
He said when he initially learned about Doctors-On-Stage and its mission to support individuals and communities in need, he immediately wanted to be part of the cause. “I was invited into the fold by JP Orias. Thanks to his introduction, I have had the privilege of connecting with an inspiring group of doctors and musicians who share a mutual passion for the performing arts and for giving back through our collective talents,” Arista said.
He’s performed alongside local acts, including the Gregg Hammer Band, Jasmin Nicole, and Payton Sullivan, to name a few, also backed/opened for touring Filipino artists including Angeline Quinto, Bugoy Drilon, Daryl Ong, Marcelito Pomoy, Aegis, Rachel Alejandro, and Coco Martin with the FPJ crew. Faith and church ministry are deeply rooted in his musical journey, serving as one of the Music Directors at Inspire Waikele. He’s an independent artist who writes and produces original music. His career background is as an IT professional.
Maestro Pike, a dance director and choreographer, returns to choreograph some of the dances for this production. “I have been doing this for three consecutive years now and really having fun working with the doctors who are gifted and talented.”
Leigh Antoinette Medina, returns to DOS as an ensemble player – cello. She got involved with DOS because her parents were connected with physicians. “I mean, a group of Filipinos in healthcare with a passion for performance? These are my people!” Her music background includes playing in the Moanalua High School Symphony Orchestra as the principal cellist. Since then, she’s been involved in the UH Symphony Orchestra, bringing her cello to volunteering for Bristol Hospice, and, back to her roots, playing for her local church at St. Philomena. Medina is a pre-medical student who is applying to medical school in 2027. Currently, she is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Tropical Medicine at John A. Burns School of Medicine.
See you there
DOS productions consistently have received rave reviews from the community. Dr. Rhea Bautista, Honolulu, watched four DOS productions, “I enjoy the way Doctors-on-Stage brings the community together to celebrate culture, song, and dance. Sharing the stage with fellow community members makes me feel connected and inspired. We’re not just performing, we’re coming together to fundraise for the greater good, keeping the mission of bayanihan alive and thriving.”
Cast members encourage the community to come out once again to support DOS this month for an evening of high-level entertainment for a great cause.
Sponsors (As of Press Time)
Major sponsors are US Renal Care, Ohana Endoscopy/Mel Ona, M.D. and Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, Inc. Others sponsors include Charlie Y. Sonido M.D., LLC dba Primary Care Clinic of Hawaii, Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii, Sorbella Guillermo, M.D./Jayson Brenner, DPT, Gary Okamura, M.D., Hawaii Filipino Healthcare, Manawa Lea/Maria Rabago, Nestor del Rosario, M.D., Waipahu Therapy Center/Jay Flores, DPT and Shirleen Flores, PT, Russell Tacata, M.D., Aurora Mariano, M.D., Perlita Lampitoc, M.D., Mililani Gastro/Aaron Small, M.D., Diagnostic Lab Services, LLC, Beth Abinsay, M.D., Hobbs Medical Group/Coreen Noelani Hobbs, M.D., Rosenberg McKay Hoffman/Randall L.M.K. Rosenberg/Loreto M. Viloria,Paralegal, Drs. Antonio Tan & Elisea Singson Tan, Benilda Luz-Llena, M.D., Alfie Riveral, M.D., Emma Avila, M.D., Westside Surgical Services/Ross Simafranca, M.D., Dr. & Mrs. Nicanor & Imelda Joaquin, Primary Tax Services/Dory Villafuerte, United Healthcare, First Hawaiian Bank, P & L Carpet and Drapery/Ely Aguada, Anonymous, Wealth Strategies/Richard Pecson, Fely Rabiles-Wayfield, Armas Financial Services/Angeline Armas, AlohaCare, Island Hospice, McMann Eye Institute/Michael McMann, M.D., Hawaii Diagnostic Radiology Services, Ian Guerrero, M.D. & Marife Solomon, APRN dba Primary Clinic of Kapolei, Alfredo’s Medical Acupuncture & Massage/Emie Cenabre, Optimal Care Rehab/Vilma Fuentes, DPT, Hugo Higa, M.D., San Diego Family Dentistry/Memerita San Diego, D.D.S., Remedios Aguinaldo, RN and Salvador Aguinaldo, Arman Cayabyab, Fely Pula, RN, Cathy Wilson Espie Cabag, MDX, Windows Hawaii, Magdy Mettias, M.D., Rainier Dennis Bautista, M.D., Ray Romero, M.D., Family Dental Clinic/Maria Adora, D.M.D., Julie Aguinaldo, Leticia Corbilla, Efren Jose, Electrical Contractor and Gilbert Gambilan, General Contractor.
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