MANILA – Actress Cherry Pie Picache welcomes 2020 with a lead role in a play that depicts the lives of people with HIV.

Inspired by real people and events, Rody Vera’s “Under My Skin” is the closing production of the 52nd season of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).

It is part of the theater group’s “Acting on HIV” creative campaign, which aims to take a deeper look at the chronic disease.

“I’ve always wanted to do a play with PETA, so I am very excited to be finally doing it now,” Picache said. “Most of what I’ve been doing lately is getting involved with different advocacies. So when our director and my good friend Melvin Lee told me that ‘Under My Skin’ is going to be an advocacy play on HIV, I was enthusiastic to join even if I was worried in the beginning.”

“I want to use my position, wherever I am now, to influence and advocate for certain issues. I am learning a lot and I really like the learning process. I was also interested kung nasaan na ba ang Pilipinas sa usaping HIV. It’s very timely because we should all give a part of ourselves to make people aware,” she added.

Picache has been in the performing arts scene since she was young. Her most recent theater production was “Buwan at Baril sa Eb Major” in 2017.

In “Under My Skin,” she shares the role of Dr. Gemma Almonte with veteran theater actress Roselyn Perez.

“She is very objective like most doctors are,” Picache said of her character. “But inside, she’s very involved. Andoon ‘yung empathy niya.”

“Under My Skin” will run from February 7 to March 22 at the PETA Theater Center in New Manila, Quezon City, with tickets available at TicketWorld.

Director Melvin Lee is joined by his artistic team: Eric Dela Cruz (dramaturg), Migs Cortes (music/sound designer and arranger), Benjamin Padero and Carlo Tabije (production designers), Ian Torqueza (lights designer), Steven Tansiongco (video designer), and Nicole Primero and Bubbles Deriada (choreographers) from Airdance.

Other cast members, meanwhile, include Miguel Almendras, Mike Liwag, Anthony Anthony Falcon, Dylan Talon, Eko Baquial, Gio Gahol, Lotlot Bustamante, Kitsi Pagaspas, Ekis Gimenez, Dudz Teraña, Jarred Jaicten, She Maala, Gold Villar-Lim, Bene Manaois, Mico Esquivel, Erold Enriquez, Jason Barcial, Joseph Madriaga, Rach Gimpes, Reggie Ondevilla, Roy Dahildahil, and Csai Habla.

Aside from the play, “Under My Skin” also allows audience members to join a debriefing session with HIV experts, avail of free screenings, and check out a photo exhibit.