CONTROL + SHIFT : Changing Narratives - PETA’s Bold Collection of New Theater Performances

With an unwavering commitment to empowering and enriching society, PETA continues to push boundaries and explore new frontiers in the realm of socially relevant theater. PETA welcomes 2024 with a bold collection of new theater performances that puts the spotlight on the theme of narrative change with CONTROL + SHIFT : Changing Narratives, Reclaiming and Reshaping Stories of the Filipino People. 

PETA artists, together with creative partners and collaborators, have created fresh works that hope to provoke curiosity, spark conversations, challenge assumptions, interrogate, and transform the toxic narratives and harmful depictions that hold society back. 

CONTROL + SHIFT : Changing Narratives features eight new works, devised performances, and the re-staging of KUMPRONTASYON at the PETA Theater Center from January 12-14, 19-21, 2024. 

Palanca Hall of Fame Writer Rody Vera's New PLay 'Fly Me To The Moon' Now Playing!

Artist Playground in cooperation with Japan Foundation’s latest production “FLY ME TO THE MOON,” an original play penned by Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall of Famer RODY VERA has opened on October 13, 2017 at ARTIST PLAYGROUND 112 West Avenue, Quezon City. 

Directed by PAUL JAKE PAULE, “ FLY ME TO THE MOON” is about the story of Melanie who embarks on a journey to Japan to help her family make ends meet. Using her charm, she boards on a ship full of flesh-hungry sea crew, and finds comfort in Jo, a karayuki-san who longs for her one true love Ibrahim. On the ship, the two draw parallels between their lives as they unfold their own stories. Soon, Melanie and Jo part ways to follow their own pavement, but still keep a piece of each other’s heart. 

PETA Launches New Children's Musical ‘TAGU-TAGUAN NASAAN ANG BUWAN?’

On its 50th Anniversary, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) launches a new children’s musical that will take audiences to a world where everything is possible with the use of a little imagination. 

PETA is proud to continue its mission to provide extraordinary theatrical experiences for children of all ages as it presents J-mee Katanyag’s “Tagu-taguan Nasaan Ang Buwan?”. 

Pioneer Stories of Hope Playwrighting Competition is EXTENDED!

Great news! If the given time was not enough the deadline for the submission of entries for the Stories of Hope Playwriting Competition has been EXTENDED!

Pioneer, Your Insurance is now giving college students nationwide an opportunity to share their stories through the Stories of Hope Playwriting Competition. Young and aspiring playwrights can submit their original works as one-act plays written in English, Tagalog or Taglish. The stories must convey hope to the audience, whether as a drama, comedy, or even musical. The deadline has been moved to November 27, 2015. Announcement of winner will be on December 14, 2015. 

Enjoy an Under-the-Sea fairy tale at McKinley Hill with The Little Mermaid Musical

Kids and kids at heart will surely be enchanted as Trumpets Playshop presents The Little Mermaid at Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill on Aug. 22, 6PM.

Based on the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this charming musical adaptation directed by Steven Conde and choreographed by Jim Ferrer is the coming of age story of the mermaid Princess Jewel (Mica Pineda).

SABEL: Love & Passion is back!

After rave performances which had audiences clamoring for more, SABEL: LOVE & PASSION returns to the Music Museum on August 11 and 12, 8pm starring the luminous Iza Calzado who narrates and performs as National Artist Ben Cabrera’s infamous madwoman of the streets. The Philippine Ballet Theater dances out the whole story while singers Aicelle Santos, Bo Cerrudo, Joaquin Pedro Valdes and Timmy Pavino sing out the vocals with Music and Musical Direction by Louie Ocampo and Lyrics, Script and Direction by Freddie Santos. Video Sonic is in charge of the complex Video Mapping projected against abstract sets designed by Joe Tecson. Call Music Museum Ticketron (721-6726) now to grab the few remaining tickets left!

With all the noise being made by huge stage productions, this little gem of a show has been making a mark of its own. SABEL: LOVE & PASSION, a show that defies classification (Stage musical? Ballet recital? Pop concert?) returns on August 11 and 12, 8pm at the Music Museum. Inspired by National Artist Ben Cabrera’s famous paintings of a madwoman of the streets, SABEL: LOVE & PASSION stars the beautiful Iza Calzado who narrates the entire show while acting in the title role. The Philippine Ballet Theater, choreographed by Ronilo Jaynario, dances out the twists and turns of the story with song vocals rendered by renowned singers Aicelle Santos, Bo Cerrudo, Joaquin Pedro Valdes and Timmy Pavino. Music and Musical Direction by Louie Ocampo with Lyrics, Script and Direction by Freddie Santos. Video Mapping is executed by Video Sonic while Joe Tecson is in charge of the abstract sets. Only a few tickets remain. Call Music Museum Ticketron (721-6726) now!

ART IS A BANG: Musikal at CCP

The Cultural Center of the Philippines brings together the well liked original Filipino musicals in a single evening featuring the original cast and the best musical theater performers. A gala event billed as MUSIKAL! A Musical Theater Celebration of CCP’s 45th takes place on September 5 and September 6, at 8:00 pm at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). The musical revue features excerpts from “Rak of Aegis”, “Rama Hari”, “Maxie the Musical”, “Katy!”, “Caredivas”, “Noli Me Tangere”, “Magsimula Ka”, “ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal”, “Bluebird of Happiness”, “Rock Supremo”, “Rivalry”, “Lorenzo”, among others.

ART IS A BANG: Megaworld Shall Present Hansel And Gretel This June

HANSEL AND GRETEL will come to life on stage through colorful sets, props and costumes, beautiful songs and music, and most of all, the genuine portrayal of the professional theater actors ages 7 to 13 years old from Kids Acts Philippines. 

HANSEL AND GRETEL is the musical play for children wherein Kids Acts Philippines intently integrated the most important learning theory of Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University which is called the “Eight Multiple Intelligences of the Children.” The play incorporated every intelligence type in the specific scenes to enable children appreciate the total importance of learning while being entertained by the play. This musical play for kids and by the kids is an advocacy to augment the interest of kids in performing arts.

HANSEL AND GRETEL is Winner of 26th ALIW AWARDS 2013 for Best Production for Children and 2013 Broadwayworld Philippines Award for Best Book and Lyrics for a Filipino musical.

ART IS A BANG: "Cock"

What happens when a young gay man falls in love with a woman?

That’s the central conceit behind Red Turnip Theater’s second offering, COCK by Mike Bartlett. A sold-out hit when it first premiered in London in 2009 and subsequently during its off-Broadway run a year later, COCK revolves around a gay couple whose rocky relationship derails when one of them sleeps (and falls in love) with a woman. Debates over one’s sexual identity explode when all three decide to sit down and “duke it out” over dinner. Hilarity ensues when another unexpected guest turns up and loyalties are put to the test. As one character puts it, “It’s the ultimate bitch fight”.

The New York Times calls COCK “a terrific, tense little comedy” while The Huffington Post hails it as “a terrific contemporary play that puts much of other theatre to shame”. This critical darling is the perfect bookend to Red Turnip’s maiden season. 

ART IS A BANG: Walang Umaga Sa Casa Ligaya Staged by PLM-Magwayen

The Magwayen Creative Scholars’ Guild (MCSG) will present its 15th Anniversary production, the restaging of “Walang Umaga sa Casa Ligaya," on March 26, 27 and 28 at the PLM Justo Albert Auditorium.

MCSG is the premiere theater and performing arts group of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). They’ve been honing talented students in singing, dancing, acting, writing, production and stage management for the past 15 years.

Walang Umaga sa Casa Ligaya tells the story of the people working in a gay bar, and how they deal with the sudden news of its shutdown. It's a poignant drama about love, hope, acceptance and forgiveness. The play was written by the guild's Founder, Marlon G. Miguel, and directed by John Borgy Danao.

The ticket price of Walang Ligaya sa Casa Ligaya is Php 70.00 for PLMayers and Php100.00 for outsiders.

ART IS A BANG: The Bluebird of Happiness

Where does or find true happiness? 

It's a very complicated question that both young and old find it hard to answer. There are a lot of possibilities and deviations to answer it. Trumpets Inc answers that with their musical comeback stage play of "The Bluebird of Happiness" held at the Meralco Theater. 

This musical though based from a Belgian play "The Blue Bird" by Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinckhas been made into an original production by Trumpets. With book & lyrics by Jaime del Mundo and music by Rony Fortichand, it is a fitting story for the family as Christmas is fast approaching. Its about the tale of siblings Tyltyl and Mytyl as they journey into lands of fantasy and imagination to find the Bluebird that brings true happiness. They will go through a lot of colorful characters that will lead them or distract them to find the bird and find the real meaning of happiness.

ART IS A BANG: Of OFWs, Saints, and Rock

LORENZO is a musical about the life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz

What do you get when you put together an OFW on death row, a fugitive who became a saint, and rock music?

LORENZO is a theatrical production on the life and struggles of two Lorenzos: Laurence (OJ Mariano), an OFW on death row in an Arab country, and St. Lorenzo Ruiz (Lorenz Martinez), the first Filipino canonized as a saint for his martyrdom in Japan.

LORENZO’s executive producer, Christopher de Leon, has assembled a stellar artistic team for the production. The musical’s libretto was written by award-winning writers Juan Ekis and Paul Dumol, with the collaboration of Joem Antonio. The musical’s beautiful melodies were composed and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab. Internationally-trained Gino Gonzales heads production design. And, last but not least, the play is directed by industry veteran Nonon Padilla.

The production is unique in its storytelling; its premise has Laurence dictating the libretto of a musical he has written about Lorenzo Ruiz to a Filipino reporter.

ART IS A BANG: School spirit takes center stage as “Rivalry” returns

Good news to those who missed out on the all-original and all-new Filipino production of Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical! 

It’s another opportunity to bring out the pom-poms and prepare the loudest cheer as 

4th Wall Theater Company brings back the well-applauded and well-loved musical starting January 25, 2013 at the Meralco Theater.

School spirit is very much alive as Ateneans and La Sallites clash onstage and engage in an intense battle replete with rousing musical numbers, impressive choreography and exchanges of wit and humor. The competition between the two schools is so engaging that even those who are neither from Ateneo nor from La Salle enjoyed the show.

“Based on a backyard study we did, 45% of those who watched the first staging are neither from Ateneo nor from La Salle. More importantly, the audience of theater in the Philippines is not expanding the way it should be. The reason why we have to do this again is we know we have a market to tap. I would like for us to leave a legacy of really expanding the theater industry,” Ed Gatchalian, executive producer and musical director of Rivalry, explained.

An exclusive sneak preview of “Rivalry” was held recently for the online community to experience the much-talked about production.

ART IS A BANG: Joe A Filipino Rock'sical

I do admire theater companies that create their own original stageplays which truly show talent and originality of Filipinos on stage. And with though many people particularly students would consider Philippine History as a boring subject, it great to see it alive and somehow makes us think about the happenings and even the controversy that made them very interesting.


Philippine Stages Foundation (PSF) staged recently their new offering for the opening of their 11th Season with JOE: A Filipino Rock'sical. Seeing the play itself was an eye opener even for a history enthusiast like me about the other side of Rizal. With the past and present weaved together with each character plays an important role in making a tribute show for the National Hero.

And what I also admire about this play is the original music which amplifies the feel of the play. Though it might overpower the feel of the rock musical, but still blends well just the like past-present plot. It was a very fun play with characters which each audience may find themselves to be part of the play. Highly recommended for students and students-at-heart who loves to know more about Jose or Joe.

Manila Metropolitan Theater Curtain to Rise for Magwayen

Ehipto, the new masterpiece of Magwayen Creative Scholars Guild, will be staged at the Manila Metropolitan Theater on January 29 and 30, 2011.

This curtain-raiser will be the guild’s grandest and most ambitious production to date. And what could be the best platform for this other than the “grand dame” itself, the Manila Metropolitan Theater?!

Magwayen, a student based theater organization, resides at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, the foremost university for the Manileno scholars. For the past 12 years, the guild has been performing at the university’s Justo Albert Auditorium. But for its biggest project, a play that will try to stage few of the Bible’s most majestic miracles, the members looked for a place that is more awe-inspiring. And that is where the MET comes in.

The Metropolitan Theater, being one of the most celebrated Art Deco structures in the Philippines, used to hold world-class theatrical performances, operas, musicales, pageants, and other lofty events during its heyday.

Unfortunately, the theater was severely damaged during the World War II. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos tried to restore it but it finally fell into decay in the 90’s.

But prepare to be stunned once more as the Government Service Insurance System, the City of Manila, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts join forces to restore its beauty and magic. 

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim wanted to re-establish this glorious theater for the underprivileged people of Manila so they may have better appreciation for arts and culture.

“We must make culture available and attractive to the masses,” Lim said in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “The one venue the poor will find accessible is the Met, and that’s the reason why I think it should be revived. Once it opens, people will again get to see and hear the kundiman, zarzuela and other stage plays showcasing Filipino heritage and talents.”

The timing couldn’t get better as the sole theater group of the scholars of the Pamantasan decided to bring its best act into the regal arena. The members are now rehearsing and getting the “feel” of performing in the historically and culturally rich venue. The artists of this 12-year old guild, still considered young, just can’t hold their childish excitement every time they daydream of performing on the same stage as the cultural icons.

The Magwayen officers are seeking the help of Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta, vice chair of the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission and executive assistant to Mayor Alfredo Lim, in mounting this event. Ms. Araneta’s positive response overwhelms the young thespians. They couldn’t believe it’s finally happening.

The Exodus adaptation, written by Magwayen founder Marlon Miguel, will highlight the poignant relationship between the two brothers, Moses and Rameses. The Egyptian ruler, Rameses, in this production is not necessarily evil but merely a king trying to perform his duties in the best methods he possibly could. Meanwhile, the adopted prince, Moses, doesn’t despise his brother. Instead, he simply obeys the commands of the God of his people. In the course of carrying out their duties, to their people and to their faith, the brothers who once adored each other become opposing men who are driven by totally different forces.

Many of the key players are the organization’s finest members and alumni: from Executive Producer John Borgy Danao, Director Shengka Mangahas, Dance Consultant Michael Flororita, to actor and Production Manager Sheena Flor Tamayo, and co-actors Michael Cayatano, and Mark Angelo Lapada.

This January, Magwayen will reap another milestone.

This January, the Metropolitan Theater curtain will rise again.

This January, we will applaud for the Manilenian arts in its rightful home.



(this note was written by Shengka Mangahas, an alumni of PLM and the director of Magwayen's new play, EHIPTO)