Smashed PH: Using Theater to Empower Filipino Youth Against Underage Drinking

Smashed PH: Using Theater to Empower Filipino Youth Against Underage Drinking

In 2021, PETA Plus introduced Smashed PH, a globally recognized alcohol education program. Originally developed by Collingwood Learning in the United Kingdom and supported by the global beverage company Diageo, Smashed combines theater arts with interactive workshops to help students better understand the causes and effects of underage drinking.

Since then, Smashed PH has reached over 90,000 students nationwide, inspiring them to make informed choices, rethink their relationship with alcohol, and demonstrating how live performance can create a lasting impact.

A Filipino Story for Filipino Youth

Smashed PH follows the story of three friends—Miko, Jella, and PJ—whose lives take a dramatic turn when underage drinking leads to unintended consequences. What begins as a casual drinking session spirals into a series of conflicts that test their friendships, family ties, and futures. Through this narrative, the program invites audiences to reflect on the impact of their choices. 

Senior PETA artist-teachers serve as facilitators to help enrich the experience, guiding the interactive portions of the workshop. Their expertise ensures students are actively engaged, reflecting on the performance and internalizing the program’s lessons, making them both impactful and memorable.

Theater Meets Advocacy: A Culture-Based Approach 

The heart of Smashed PH lies in its ability to connect with Filipino youth through culturally relevant storytelling. The program blends theater with interactive workshops, allowing students to engage with the material in real time. 

“Through theater, we create a powerful, interactive experience that resonates emotionally while encouraging critical thinking about their choices,” says J-mee Katanyag, the play’s writer and a senior artist-teacher with PETA. “The goal is to provide a mirror for their struggles and highlight their agency, not just to caution but to show that alternative paths exist.” 

Director Norbs Portales highlights the importance of direct engagement: “We incorporated moments where actors broke the fourth wall to interact with the students. This approach makes the learning experience fun, evocative, and memorable.” 

Community Collaboration 

Smashed PH owes much of its success to partnerships with the Department of Education, local government units, and school communities. The program creates opportunities for meaningful discussions on issues relevant to the youth. 

“The local government firmly believes in the potential of our youth. They can achieve greatness and make significant contributions to our city and nation. We support Smashed Philippines, and I urge students to actively participate in lessons, as it will greatly benefit them,” said Quezon City Education Affairs Unit Officer-In-Charge Mariciris Veloso. 

Transforming Attitudes Through Data and Stories 

Smashed PH has demonstrated its effectiveness in both measurable outcomes and personal stories. Quantitative data shows a 60% increase in students feeling knowledgeable about the risks of underage drinking, a 31% increase in students feeling equipped to make informed choices about alcohol, and a 33% increase in knowing where to seek help for alcohol-related issues. Remarkably, 88% of students indicated positive attitudinal changes after participating in the program. 

The program’s real-life impact is further reflected in testimonials from the community. Ms. Ma. Rose Hael, a Values Education Teacher at Sauyo High School, shared, “Alcohol awareness is crucial for young people. This role-playing approach is highly effective because it involves interaction, allowing students to ask the actors questions and see the consequences of their decisions. As a Values Education teacher, I appreciate that real-life stories are featured. I hope this partnership continues.” 

The program is transformative for students like Gabriel Puemleona, a Grade 7 learner from Sauyo High School. “After watching the program, I feel more confident about making the right decisions in my life,” he said. 

Looking Ahead 

Smashed PH continues its culture-based approach to addressing youth issues, demonstrating how theater can be a powerful catalyst for change. Globally, the ambition for Smashed is to educate 10 million young people by 2030, and by the end of fiscal 2023, it has reached more than 3.8 million – over half of them in fiscal 2023 alone.