PETA Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Ritual, Concert
Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), one of the Philippines’ pioneer theater groups, kicks off its 50th Year Anniversary with a series of major events happening at the historic Fort Santiago and at its contemporary theater space in Quezon City, the PETA Theater Center.
PETA was born fifty years ago “out of a vision of dynamically applying theatre, the meeting ground of all the discipline of the arts, as a force for education and social transformation towards peace and sustainable development,” shares PETA Founder, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez.
Cecile Guidote-Alvarez
After five decades, PETA renews its commitment to continue making a difference through a Filipino theater engaged in the development of people and society – a vision that has drawn many partners and supporters who share the same values and principles.
Ramon R. Del Rosario Jr., President and CEO, PHINMA, Inc. and former PETA Board Chair is one of the company’s relentless supporters, “PETA educates on issues but it inspires on basic values and fundamental principles—like love of country and basic human rights. It entertains with deep insights and boundless creativity. Education and theater is a winning formula that makes PETA unique and has sustained it over its first 50 years.”
Founding of PETA
PETA’s unparalleled and dynamic theater work has flourished thanks to the contribution of many dedicated individuals and groups who stood with PETA throughout the years.
“I am constantly amazed at how many people take a bow onstage: the entire cast, the artistic team, the production team, the stagehands, the backstage staff, and many more. All of them work hard to ensure the success of the production. Imagine how much work it takes for an entire season, or, for that matter, for 50 seasons of work in the theater. Innumerable hands at work, tireless minds, and dedicated souls are needed to sustain a theater company,” recounts PETA President CB Garrucho.
Rites at the Fort
On April 7, PETA revisits its original home, Fort Santiago, and greets its foundation day with a ritual, an ode to the early expressions of Philippine drama rooted in ethnic or folk traditions.
Directed by theater stalwart and cultural activist Gardy Labad, “The Rites at the Fort” will showcase a performative inter-faith service, thanksgiving mass, and inculturated liturgy replete with narrations, indigenous prayers, scriptural readings, staged poetry, and contemporary songs and dances. The Rites will be graced by PETA founder Cecile Guidote-Alvarez and will be capped with a breakfast and interaction attended by PETA alumni and staff.
Anniversary Concert
The celebration continues with a two-day concert “Singkuwenta” PETA’s 50th Anniversary Concert, written by Anj Heruela, directed by Melvin Lee, with Musical Direction by Jeff Hernandez and Myke Salomon. The concert features music from notable PETA theatrical pieces, some of which form part of its 50th year commemorative 13-track album “Sa Hirap at Ginhawa.”
“Singkuwenta” will feature an array of original Filipino music performed by the PETA Choir, the UP Singing Ambassadors, Noel Cabangon, Aicelle Santos and other guest artists.
The concert celebrates PETA’s rich history through songs. It also serves as a thank you gift to its partners who not only supported PETA through the years but also shared its vision for the nation and for Philippine theater.
“PETA could not have gone this far if not for the unwavering, and unceasing engagement of our members, staff, alumni, partners from the government, program partners in the schools and LGU’s, the embassies, the people’s organizations, the art and cultural institutions, the business entities, the media, the academe, the religious, and our partner communities here and abroad,” Garrucho enthuses.
PETA President CB Garrucho also offers “Singkuwenta” to the public whom its vision is dedicated to. “We dedicate Singkuwenta to the Filipino people: whose history and culture are far too rich and meaningful to forget; whose stories of bravery, resilience, strength, compassion and capacity for sacrifice are far too inspiring to be left untold. These are the people who we tell these stories for and who are all part of the stories we tell. Then, now, and until the next fifty years.”
For more information regarding PETA’s 50th Theater Season, contact (02) 725-6244, 0917-5765400, petatheater@gmail.com or visit their website www.petatheater.com or official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PETATHEATER.
