MANILA, Philippines — At first, I thought it was just a regular theater coverage when my good friend and fellow media practitioner, Victor, invited me to watch a show at the PETA Theater Center over the weekend — only to discover he was one of the performers in the event.

That alone speaks volumes about the diversity of the workshop, as the cast was composed of people from all walks of life. Some are mothers, fathers, corporate employees, and others are simply dreamers. They all came together for one purpose: to tell stories that matter.

The Summer Workshop 2025 last May 18 marked the culmination of the morning and afternoon theater classes. Each group presented a unique theatrical experience, tackling pressing social issues — particularly those surrounding the Filipino family and the recently concluded elections.

The first play, titled “Okay na ’to, Okay ba ’to?”, chronicled the life of a typical Filipino family. It explored how parents often raise their children with unresolved emotional baggage, expecting them to inherit not just the family legacy, but also the burden of sacrifices made along the way — at the expense of their own dreams. 

The play revolved around bulalo, a beef soup popular in Southern Luzon. In the story, the dish became a symbol:  one that both bonded the family and, eventually, tore them apart. It was a compelling reflection of how Filipino families often avoid addressing internal issues, unintentionally harming their children in the long run.

“It was a brave idea to present these toxic family traits in front of traditional parents — and in front of us, who will soon become parents ourselves,” said Tracey Trabella in an interview with Republika News. “It reminds us of the traits we need to unlearn if we want to build healthier families.”

The second play, Barangay Perya, directed by Gie Onida and Icee Po, took a satirical approach to depict the state of Philippine politics. Set in a circus adorned with flags and vibrant colors, the production portrayed how a select few run the government for their own interests, leaving ordinary citizens in a constant state of uncertainty and jeopardy.

Gie Onida from Barangay Perya said they were working with the ideas of a perya and elections in their activities. As they developed the story, they saw a chance to combine both themes in their performance. It became a fun way for them to show their comedy and teamwork, while also staying true to PETA’s goal of leaving the audience with a meaningful message.

“It was also good timing for us to explore that perya-election connection since the midterms happened while we were preparing for the show. The concept of politics being a game and politicians being entertainers really appealed to us. But we wanted to make sure it wasn’t just another story about corrupt politicians — it’s a story about people standing up together to do what’s right. It’s a story about Filipinos overcoming the systems that are commonly used to put us down,” Onida said.

Both plays incorporate contemporary references to social media and politics, leaving the audience cackling with laughter. More importantly, they aim to present serious social issues in a lighter tone to deliver a pressing message: that the Philippine government and its leadership, as well as the culture of toxic Filipino family dynamics, are detrimental to the country’s future. It takes a brave voice to speak out and give the voiceless a chance to be heard.

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) offers theater workshops for aspiring practitioners of all ages and skill levels.

For updates and more info, follow @petaworkshops on Instagram.