The cast of PETA's 'Gen G: GG na ’to!'. Handout
The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is mounting an interactive play aimed at encouraging civic participation among young people, with performances scheduled in schools through the end of the year.
The production, titled “Gen G: GG na ’to!,” allows audience members to participate and make choices that shape the direction of the story, reflecting its aim of teaching young people the value of participation, the PETA said in a press statement.
Set in an alternate Philippines submerged in floodwaters, "Gen G" follows a group of young people living in temporary communities called “Balangay Gen Zones.”
The characters initially expect the adults, who have gone off in search of solutions, to return. But when they do not, the young people are left to fend for themselves and figure out how to run their Balangay, with the audience helping shape their decisions.
"Through the world of the Balangay, 'Gen G' invites young people to see participation as something that extends beyond elections, and agency beyond choosing among options given to them. It encourages them to question, imagine, and act together," PETA said.
Co-playwright and PETA artistic director J-mee Katanyag said the concept for the show began with the simple question, "G?" — a shorter version for the slang "game?," which is used to ask whether someone is willing or ready to do something.
"Every time we say yes to something, we are also making a choice. And whether we realize it or not, our choices reveal what we value, whom we care about, and what kind of community we are helping create," Katanyag said.
The cast includes Lyle Viray, Johnrick Noynay, James Lanante, Camille Fabian, Francheska Andaya, Cb Lagapa, Ada Tayao and Zoe Damag.
The show, a co-production between PETA and the Move to Change Foundation, will tour 12 schools from September to December.
The production is also part of Project GG: Game Changers for Good Governance, a youth-centered campaign promoting civic education and participation.
Apart from the play, the campaign includes interactive experiences, workshops and other activities aimed at encouraging critical thinking, collaboration and collective decision-making among young people.