The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), supported by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation and DAKILA: Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism present “A Game of Trolls: A Martial Law Musical” throughout the whole month of September 2017 at the PETA Theater Center.
‘A GAME OF TROLLS’ #aGoT the Musical, is the story of Heck, a troll whose indifference makes him the perfect keyboard warrior for Bimbam, the manager of a ‘troll center’ that runs an online pro-martial law campaign. His lack of attachment to any belief can be used to make him unleash callous words to anyone who comments against the martial law days. Ghosts of Martial Law victims haunt him from the Internet cloud, where they fear being erased as people slowly forget their stories. The encounters forced him to reflect on his own beliefs and his relationship with his mother, a former Martial Law activist.
As we watch the story unravel during the press preview, I realized a few things that made this production more than just a show:
1. Beyond entertainment
One thing that made PETA stand out is that the company is conscious in creating performances that both entertains and educates its audience. Prior to the production of the play, PETA have been conducting interviews as part of their research and later on formulates a teacher's guide so the conversation do not end inside the theater thus it begins there. It's a step to create awareness that Martial Law is not just a "thingy" that we throw out the window because it seems like something we just have to get over with.
2. Past meets the present
"It is important to remember and learn from the past. Otherwise, we end up repeating the same mistakes today,” shares PETA Executive Director Beng Santos-Cabangon. Besides the ghosts of the Martial Law victims in the play actually meets face-to- face with the main character, stories of human rights violations are everywhere. It happened in the past and it is happening now. The play challenges its audience to examine the history and find meaning in chaos. "Because it is in remembering that we understand. With understanding, we care. And when we care, we stand firm, we march and shout #NeverAgain," she adds.
3. Trolls cannot bury experience
This is why storytelling plays a significant role in the society. It has the power to immortalize stories and people so the next generation can appreciate, understand, value and hopefully pass it on to the next. Just like the victims of Martial Law, no amount of gesture or progress can make them forget what they have experienced. Watching the play is like being in front of the victims as they tell their stories. A Game of Trolls is full of information covered in lights,
costumes, songs and choreography.
A Game of Trolls cast includes Myke Salomon, TJ Valderama,Upeng Galang-Fernandez,
Gail Guanlao-Billones, Vince Lim, Gold Villar-Lim, Lemuel Silvestre, Joseph Madriaga, Kiki
Baento, Gilbert Onida, John Moran, Juan Miguel Severo, Norbs Portales, Roi Calilong,
Jasper Jimenez, Ada Tayao, Lea Espallardo, Icee Po, Nieves Reyes, Dan Cabrera, Jason
Barcial and Justin Castillo.
A Game of Trolls is showing at the PETA Theater Center located at No. 5 Eymard Drive,
New Manila, Quezon City. For tickets, contact Ticket World (632) 891-9999,
ticketworld.com.ph, or visit www.petatheater.com for show buyer information.
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