Cover Theatre veterans, Teroy Guzman and Sherry Lara in Allan Palileo’s ‘Lakambini’ (Photo: courtesy of PETA)
Theatre veterans, Teroy Guzman and Sherry Lara in Allan Palileo’s ‘Lakambini’ (Photo: courtesy of PETA)
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Don’t miss eight new works, an improv show by SPIT Manila, and a re-staging of the critically acclaimed ‘Kumprontasyon’ at the PETA Theatre Centre
To kick off the year, PETA brings an exciting line-up of new works from established and budding playwrights. The CONTROL+SHIFT: Changing Narratives Festival pushes boundaries as it explores diverse performative and theatre forms such as puppetry, movement, interactivity, and digital theatre to reimagine traditional Filipino folklore, values, politics, and contemporary issues.
The festival reaches its climax with a remounting of Melvin Lee’s trilogy, Kumprontasyon on top of new, experimental works, improv performances by SPIT Manila, live music jams, and more.
More from Tatler: The second Sining Filipina art competition spotlights women artists from all backgrounds
‘Kumprontasyon’ (February 6-9)
Featuring three one-act plays penned by Allan Palileo, Guelan Luarca, and Joshua Lim So, Melvin Lee’s Kumprontasyon explores three hypothetical conversations throughout history. Lakambini takes us to the Philippine Revolution in an imagined confrontation between Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy and Gregoria de Jesús-Nacpil viuda de Bonifacio—the widow of Andres Bonifacio. The Impossible Dream follows a secret and unimaginable meeting between former President Ferdinand Marcos and Senator Ninoy Aquino. Finally, A Color For Tomorrow is set in the distant year of 2058 as an unnamed woman speaks to younger versions of herself using augmented reality.
Themed around settling disputes, Kumprontasyon urges the audience to forgive without forgetting while still counting on the future.
Also see: PETA’s ‘Kumprontasyon’ showcases three political conversations throughout history
‘Twin Bill’ (February 14-15)
Above Twinbill - The cast of Dominique La Victoria’s ’Kislap at Fuego’
Above Twinbill - The cast of Mixkaela Villalon’s ’Children of the Algo’
Twinbill - The cast of Dominique La Victoria’s ’Kislap at Fuego’
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Revisiting two plays from Control + Shift 2024, the Twin Bill features Dominique La Victoria’s Kislap at Fuego, a play adapted from Vida Cruz’s short story, Odd and Ugly. Set during the Philippine Revolution, it follows a country girl as she encounters a kapre. Mixkaela Villalon’s Children of the Algo, on the other hand, navigates the nuances of the digital age and how Gen Z content creators tend to hide their deeper realities.
‘Control + Shift + SPIT: An Improvised Show’ (February 16, 8pm)
A one-night-only show featuring SPIT Manila, audiences can expect hours of spontaneous fun and laughter.
Studio Theatre Performances (February 7-16)
Featuring a lineup of eight new works, PETA’s Studio Theatre presents audiences with four sets with different themes.
Above Set A - The cast of Felinda V Bagas' 'The Little Girl in a Box'
Set A - The cast of Felinda V Bagas' 'The Little Girl in a Box'
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Studio Theatre Set A | Unboxing - Penned by Felinda V Bagas, The Little Girl in a Box takes audiences on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment as it tells the story of a little girl and her search for a true home.
Above Set B - The cast of Sig Pecho's 'Failed Puppeteer'
Above Set B - The cast of Felinda V Bagas' 'Noche Buena'
Set B - The cast of Sig Pecho's 'Failed Puppeteer'
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Studio Theatre Set B | Time and Tide - Featuring two one-act plays, Sig Pecho’s Failed Puppeteer and Felinda V Bagas’ Noche Buena is all about Filipino family values and how it changes through generations and in times of crisis.
Above Set C - The cast of Herlyn Alegre's 'Monit-oh! Monit-ah!'
Above Set C - The cast of John Custer's 'hUst1Sy@.exe'
Set C - The cast of Herlyn Alegre's 'Monit-oh! Monit-ah!'
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Studio Theatre Set C | Codes of Corruption - Herlyn Alegre’s Monit-oh! Monit-ah! And John Custer’s hUst1Sy@.exe spotlights how our values and principles can bend in the face of corruption. Exploring traditional and modern ethical dilemmas, these plays urge the audience to pursue justice above all.
Above Set D - The cast of Teatro Balagtas' 'Ang Kuwento ni Babae'
Above Set D - The cast of PETA ARTSZone Youth ARTvocates' 'Taya! Sabay Yakap'
Set D - The cast of Teatro Balagtas' 'Ang Kuwento ni Babae'
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Above Set D - The cast of Tanghalang Bagong Sibol and Mikaela Regis' 'At Nagkatawang-Tao Ang Verbo'
Set D - The cast of Tanghalang Bagong Sibol and Mikaela Regis' 'At Nagkatawang-Tao Ang Verbo'
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Studio Theatre Set D | Breaking Free - Featuring three plays—Teatro Balagtas’ Ang Kuwento ni Babae, PETA ARTSZone Youth ARTvocates’ Taya! Sabay Yakap, and Tanghalang Bagong Sibol and Mikaela Regis’ At Nagkatawang-Tao Ang Verbo—that reimagine dominant narratives of gender, childcare, and faith, Set D gives audiences compelling stories of resilience and empathy.
PETA Control + Shift: Changing Narratives Festival 2025 runs from February 6 to 23 at the PETA Theatre Centre in New Manila, Quezon City. For more information on the events and tickets, visit their social media pages.
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Credits
Images: Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)
About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
