MANILA - An upcoming play hopes to stir conversations about mental well-being in the Philippines.
"Every Brilliant Thing" is "a story about a young girl who creates a list about every brilliant thing about life, about living every time her mom comes back from the hospital from trying to commit suicide," lead actress Teresa Herrera told ANC's "Early Edition."
"So it's about opening up the conversation, taking out the stigma where it is still a little hush-hush," she said.
The piece hopes to tell the audience that "it is okay" to have mental health issues, director Jenny Jamora said.
"There's nothing to be ashamed about to see doctors, to have medication, to be working on it. We have to make people know that it is okay," she said.
"We can't just throw advice, bible verses at people. Being present is the most important. Being present with love and a listening ear," she said.
"Every Little Thing" will be staged at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig starting on February 2.