Walwal No More: How PETA’s Smashed PH is Reshaping Youth Perspectives on Alcohol through Theater
For the fourth consecutive year, PETA Plus continues to champion youth empowerment through Smashed PH, the Philippine adaptation of the Smashed program originally developed by Collingwood Learning in the United Kingdom and supported by global beverage company Diageo.
Smashed—slang for intoxicated—is a global initiative designed to curb underage drinking and peer pressure through an engaging, arts-based approach.
Theater as a Tool for Prevention
At the Smashed PH Partners’ Day, held last March 24 at the PETA Theater Center, school teachers and principals from both existing and potential partner schools experienced the Smashed Live program firsthand. The session was facilitated by senior PETA artist-teacher Meann Espinosa.
Written by PETA Artistic Director J-mee Katanyag—based on an original story by Collingwood Learning—Smashed PH follows three friends, Jella, Miko, and PJ, played by Sam Marasigan, Jay Cortez, and James Ramada, respectively. The play explores their struggles with underage drinking and concludes with an interactive post-show discussion, where students suggest alternative choices and outcomes for the characters.
Ada Tayao (Facilitator) and Miko (played by Mark Gomez) listen to the advice of a student on what their character should do; Photo Credit: PETA Plus
The production is directed by PETA senior artist-teacher and Curriculum Director Norbs Portales, with Happy Constantino as sound designer, Julio Garcia as production designer, and John Moran as costume designer.
A Critical Advocacy
The program targets students aged 12 to 17, a demographic already exposed to alcohol but often lacking the awareness to make informed choices. For many, Smashed PH is also their first-ever theater experience.
Zoe Damag, Smashed PH Project Head, underscores the program’s approach:
“It’s delaying [alcohol consumption], protecting their bodies, deciding for themselves, taking agency. It’s not totally saying, ‘Don’t drink,’ but ‘Drink at the right age.’ And even when you’re at the right age, drink moderately. Drink na informed ka pa rin of how alcohol is going to affect your body and your whole being.”
The program also engages with past participants who have turned 18 and older, encouraging them to become peer educators and role models in their communities.
“For those naman who are 18 years old and above at naging parte na rin ng Smashed program, ang aming mungkahi naman para sa kanila ay makiisa din sila, which is actually happening,” adds Damag. “Iyung mga naging parte na kasama ng workshop ng Smashed before, lumalapit sila sa amin para sabihin sa amin na gusto nila maging parte din ng programa at makaapekto din ng young people. So iyun iyung goal naman for those 18 and above, na sila din ay maging kaagabay namin para sa pagpapakalat ng programa para sa younger people.”
PETA’s Commitment to Advocacy Theater
PETA President Melvin Lee and PETA Co-Executive Director Anj Heruela poses with Smashed PH’s partner schools
True to its name, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) has long championed theater as a powerful educational tool. Its advocacy initiatives include Lingap Sining, which played a pivotal role in helping communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda process trauma through creative workshops, and the ARTS ZONE Project, which promotes children’s rights and positive discipline through theater.
PETA President Melvin Lee explains:
“Ganoon namin ginagamit ang aming kind of theater in addressing very pressing issues na hindi karaniwang tina-tackle ng other theater companies or ng society in general. Base sa research, ang dami daming mga kabataan, underage at that, na nae-expose sa alcohol dahil sa maraming contexts– peer pressure, family problems. Basically kulang din sa kaalaman.”
“Nandito po ang Smashed, nandito po ang PETA para itaguyod ang aming educational theater mission. Hindi lang kami nagpapalabas dito sa aming tanghalan, kundi, lumalabas din kami, pumupunta kami sa iba’t ibang eskwelahan dito sa Metro Manila, lalung-lalo na sa Quezon City, Pasig, at Caloocan, para ipalaganap kung ano ba ang talagang silbi, saysay, at halaga, at kontribusyon ng dulaan.”
Expanding Reach and Impact
The students of Sauyo High School watch Smashed LIVE in their Barangay Covered Court; Photo Credit: PETA Plus
Smashed PH operates in two formats: Smashed Live, a live theater-based experience, and Smashed Online, which was developed in collaboration with Collingwood Learning during the pandemic. Schools can now choose between the two, with senior PETA artist-teachers facilitating each session.
Lee shares the program’s broader vision:
“Every year, meron kaming tinatarget na cities. The first year was Quezon City, San Juan, and Manila. Ang ultimate dream din naman ng program ay maging iyung Smashed as a program can be integrated in the curriculum of DepEd.”
“So iyun iyung dream, iyung mga eskwelahan ang mag-push sa DepEd para i-include siya sa curriculum.”
Looking Ahead
The students and teachers of Camp Crame High School with the Smashed PH Team; Photo Credit: PETA Plus
Lee says that this year’s program rollout will focus on Quezon City, Pasay, Pasig, and Caloocan. By 2030, PETA Plus and its partners aim to reach 300,000 Filipino youth.
“Isa ring pangarap ng Smashed ay maging nationwide. Siyempre sa Metro Manila alone, ang dami dami ng eskwelahan. So ang isa pa talagang dream din ay ilabas siya sa Metro Manila, kasi I’m sure, lalo na sa probinsya, maraming mga bagets, underage, na nae-expose sa alcohol.”
Now in its fourth year, Smashed PH has already reached 90,000 Filipino students through its blend of relatable storytelling and interactive learning.
Lee concludes by saying, “PETA will always be here to accommodate any other advocacies that we think are worth advocating and propagating because at the end of the day, we are an education theater company.”
Globally, Smashed has reached over four million students in 38 countries and aims to educate ten million young people by 2030.
Smashed Partner Schools (2023–2024)
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