‘Batang Rizal’ mark as PETA’s theater comeback

The 55th Theater Season marks the return of the groundbreaking Filipino theater company Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) after its major digital breakthrough during the pandemic: a string of successful online show streams and virtual workshops.

One of the most beloved plays in PETA history, Batang Rizal by Christine Bellen, is opening this season. The much-anticipated musical will make its debut in November at PETA’s theater after having its first run in the virtual realm from October 14-16 via streaming.

Also Read: PETA’s Under my Skin

Dudz Teraa co-wrote, directed for the stage, and choreographed Batang Rizal, with Vincent de Jesus handling musical direction, arrangement, and composition. Its impact comes from being easily understood and interpreted while also posing a profound challenge to its viewers to rise above their ordinary lives and become heroes.

The allure of Batang Rizal remains undiluted after 15 years. Maribel Legarda, the artistic director of PETA and the director of the Batang Rizal video, says that one of the show’s most impressive features is “how Rizal’s story is told not through the eyes of an adult but that of a child.”

“We hope to inspire children and young people to imagine a world where they can participate and contribute in a healthy way. We want them to be conscious of not only their own reality but also of the world around them,” she adds.

When it premiered in 2007, Batang Rizal quickly became a critical and commercial success thanks to its inventive storytelling and classic songs, such as the now-iconic “Pag-asa Ng Bayan” by PETA.

This is why Batang Rizal will never die; it will continue to captivate new generations of readers. The show is appropriate for all ages, but especially meaningful to the elderly because of its message of responsibility to one’s community, family, and country.

Legarda suggests another possible reason is that the problems and issues that existed in Rizal’s time are not so different from those that exist in our own. To quote the author, “Batang Rizal is timeless and it will always be able to speak to any generation and inspire them to believe in and be part of that heroism.”

The 2022 production has a brand new cast, set, and animations because it has been fifteen years since the original run. Tim Mabalot, Yhuan Gatbunton, Gold Villar-Lim, Norbs Portales, Carlon Matobato, John Moran, Teetin Villanueva, Jovy Vieja, Raven Relavo, and Marynor Madamesila are all part of the cast.

Also Read: PETA’s Care Divas

Batang Rizal will be broadcast live on KTX.ph from October 14-16, 2022, and will have a limited run at the PETA Theater Center on November 25 and December 2, 2022. (9:00 AM and 3:00 PM).

Mitch Go’s number is 0917-539-1112; call her with any questions or to purchase a tour package.

You can purchase tickets online at www.ktx.ph/category/batang-rizal to watch the game live and streamed.

Batang Rizal is also part of PETA’s Hero Vision creative campaign, which aims to trigger conversations and reflections on heroism – and to inspire Filipinos to choose to live heroically every day.