‘Whatcha Saying?’ Stage Adaptation to Run in Quezon City and La Union This November

‘Whatcha Saying?’ Stage Adaptation to Run in Quezon City and La Union This November

Whatcha Saying?, a stage adaptation of the comic book by Deaf Filipino artist CJ Reynaldo (Caldatelier), is set to run in Quezon City and La Union this November.

Presented by Apothecary Productions, the one-act play is written and directed by Heart Romero. It will run from November 4 to 7 at the Thames International Auditorium in Quezon City, followed by performances from November 14 to 16 at the Lorma Colleges AVR in San Fernando, La Union.

The play follows CJ, a Deaf freshman navigating college life in a hearing world. When he meets his schoolmates Liam and Sarah, the three find new ways to understand one another as they explore love, friendship, identity, and college life.

The production is based on Reynaldo’s Whatcha Saying?, a comic book published by Komiket that was named a finalist at the 39th National Book Awards. Using humor, the comic introduces readers to Filipino Sign Language (FSL) while depicting the everyday realities of navigating a hearing world.

Romero said the project grew out of her experience with the C.A.T.A.L.Y.S.T. Program of Thames International and the National Development Company, where she met other founders, including persons with disabilities, who inspired her to pursue inclusive theater.

“Two of them are persons with disabilities, and they inspired me to create inclusive theatre,” she said in her director/playwright’s notes.

Romero also shared that her connection with Komiket co-founder Paolo Herras eventually led Apothecary Productions to Reynaldo’s work. “When we found CJ Reynaldo’s Whatcha Saying?, it felt like we had found the right one,” she said.

The cast is led by Deaf actor Juner “Cocoy” Quiambao as CJ, with Nathan Molina and Raymond Lance Aguilar alternating as Liam and Onix Valerio as Sarah. The ensemble features Aura Payawan, Beverly “Bev” Palileo, Lucky Charles Historia, and Wayne San Juan.

Heart Romero serves as playwright and director, adapting the original comic by author and illustrator CJ Reynaldo. The creative team also includes Ae Formadero as technical director, Jigger Sementilla as lighting designer, Styze Genodia as production designer, Zak Capinding as sound designer, and Mark Rosadeño as projection designer.

Deaf & Terp Corporation serves as the production’s community and consultancy partner, providing guidance on FSL and Deaf culture. The organization also conducts Deaf awareness and FSL workshops for the cast, crew, and student interns, with Deaf trainers working directly with the production.

Presented with Thames International and Lorma Colleges, together with the National Development Company and the Philippine Innovation Hub, Whatcha Saying? will run at the Thames International Auditorium in Quezon City on November 4 at 5 PM and 8 PM, November 5 and 6 at 8 PM, and November 7 at 5 PM and 8 PM. Tickets are priced at ₱800.

The show then moves to the Lorma Colleges AVR in San Fernando, La Union, with performances on November 14, 15, and 16 at 3 PM and 7 PM. Tickets are priced at ₱500. It will be performed in Filipino Sign Language, Tagalog, and English, with a running time of approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Tickets are available through Ticketnation Philippines.