The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) launched its family-themed Storytelling Sundays series last month, featuring a mix of music, shadow puppetry, animation, and performances by various storytellers.
This June, PETA’s Storytelling Sundays focuses on the themes of nationalism and heroism, as Filipinos celebrate Independence Day to honor past and modern-day heroes.
As the country begins to face the new normal and other challenges brought by the General Community Quarantine and the COVID-19 pandemic, PETA’s Storytelling Sundays aim to fit its featured stories to teach lessons on current social issues to audiences.
“For three Sundays of June, we’re devoting to stories that center on heroism—what makes a hero out of even ordinary Filipinos,” says Storytelling Sundays writer Felinda Bagas. “No matter who we are, what our situations are, we can all be heroes for our country.”
The first of the June series opened June 7, with two stories: Marvino’s League of Superheroes by Rae Rival-Cosico, performed back to back with song-turned-story Ako’y Isang Mabuting Pilipino by singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon.
In time for Independence Day, on the second week of June, PETA is featuring stories about Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria De Jesus, Ngumiti si Andoy by Xi Zuq and Ang Lakambini at Ako by Becky Bravo, today.
For June’s finale episode, Storytelling Sundays revisits and reinvents of one of PETA’s beloved plays, Christine Bellen’s Batang Rizal on June 28, a condensed adaptation for the digital platform with new animation. This line-up of stories aims to inspire a love for country and people across all ages, during a time when we need it most.
Apart from the theme of nationalism, Storytelling Sundays gives a treat for Father’s Day on June 21 with Russell Molina’s Tuwing Sabado and Ano’ng Gupit Natin Ngayon?, two stories about fatherhood that tell how, in so many ways, our fathers and father-figures influence who we are, how we think, and what kind of persons we could be.
Storytelling Sundays this June is presented by an exciting roster of storytellers: Rak of Aegis’ well-loved ‘Tolits’ Jerald Napoles and Pepe Herrera, renowned folk singer Noel Cabangon, Noel Comia, Jr., and Bourne Livelo from Tagu-taguan Nasaan Ang Buwan?, PETA’s own Gold Villar-Lim, and master storyteller Bodjie Pascua who will be making a comeback in one of the episodes.
Storytelling Sundays streams through PETA’s Facebook Page www.facebook.com/petatheater.