MANILA -- Playwright-actor-singer-director Rodolfo Vera was not present during the launch of the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) 51st Season with the campaign dubbed “Stage of the Nation.” But it was completely understandable.

It was Friday, September 21, the 46th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law and Vera was at Luneta to participate in the rally denouncing that dark age in Philippine history.

Vera is directing PETA’s 51st season-opener, the restaging of “Ang Buhay ni Galileo,” which opens on Friday, September 28, and runs until October 7 at the PETA-Phinma Theater in Quezon City.

At the Luneta rally, Vera sang oldies like “Manggagawa” and “Awit ng Tagumpay” from Patatag, a political singing group formed in the late 1980s, in which Vera was founding artistic director.

“Some members of PETA also joined the rallies after the press con (of Stage of the Nation) and I sang with them the ‘Makabayan Suite’ later on,” Vera told ABS-CBN News.

“Makabayan Suite” is an original piece by the PETA Choir composed of “Panata Sa Kalayaan,” “Sulo ng Kapatiran,” and “Artista ng Bayan.”

Vera and members of PETA have been constant figures in protest rallies. They’d rather be where the action is than inside their offices in Quezon City.

The direct involvement in the socio-political milieu and the changing of the status quo for a better state of the nation are among the major advocacies of the 51-year old theater organization of which Vera has been a member since the Martial Law years.

It is this kind of social fervor that PETA has been known for and which makes it different from the rest, never mind the danger that comes with the fight for change. It faces head-on the issues through its works on stage and beyond with the belief that art is here to shape opinions, and not just for mere entertainment.

PETA’s advocacies are mirrored in their line-up of shows for every season. Without its outreach programs, workshops and immersions, there won’t be themes that have given birth to gems.

Through its outreach programs that addressed issues on climate change and rapid urbanization, the basic narrative “Rak of Aegis” was born. With issues on OFWs and gender equality, there was “Care Divas.” With the emergence of online trolls and fake news, “A Game of Trolls” was created. And so on.

These are productions that could send audiences to laughing fits for two hours but at the same time, they are made to “reflect, think and hopefully speak about the issues.” This effect on people is what makes PETA different from the merely popular.

In a statement, PETA artistic director Maribel Legarda said: “A lot of the chosen productions will talk about the themes of truth, historical revisionism, human rights and EJK, martial law, the elections and people’s participation. That is why, all our shows this year will be followed by debriefings. Some of them have also been designed to be coupled with workshops that can happen in the schools and communities.”

During the launch of “Stage of the Nation,” PETA presented excerpts of the shows for the season. These are:

“Ang Buhay ni Galileo”
September 28 to October 7, 2018

One of PETA’s most iconic and critically acclaimed productions and considered one of the best translations it has produced through the years. “Ang Buhay Ni Galileo” revolves around the life of the 16th century scientist Galileo Galilei, portrayed by Joel Lamangan. The play embodies the illuminating and forceful arguments of religion and science, but also the throbbing conflict of wills, motives, and passions.

“A Game of Trolls”
October 13-14, 20-21, 2018

PETA will have a two-weekend run of its martial law musical for millennials. Through music and humor, “A Game of Trolls” tackles historical revisionism, false heroes, fake news, apathy, and misinformation. This musical is not simply an effort to revive fading memories of our horrific past; but it is a reminder of why we must not allow strongman rule to be set up in the Philippines. Through this performance, PETA reaches out to the youth so that they will learn to treasure their freedom, which was fought with blood and tears by their elders.

“Trumperte”
October 26-27, 2018

An original satirical live show guaranteed to be brave, explosive, and delightfully entertaining! As the meme-able title implies, “Trumperte” is the ultimate political spoof mash-up. Here, Jon Santos inaugurates his hilarious impressions of President Ronald McDonald Trump and Pangulong DuThirty along with other celebrities and other icons!

“Arts Education Matters: A Theater Program on Creativity and Innovation National Directing and Devising WS”
November 9-15, 2018

Arts Education Matters is a three-year program that aims to tap six to eight universities all over the country to help develop young people’s creativity towards innovative thinking and problem solving. This program hopes to engage young people in important social concerns to help them become informed, responsible and pro-active citizens. The project directly targets students to become cultural creatives as well as basic education teachers as innovators in classroom education.

“Tagu-Taguan, Nasaan ang Buwan?”
November 14-29, 2018

PETA’s newest children’s musical production tells the story of a young boy who embarks on a magical adventure to find the imprisoned characters of stories in a dark realm of fear and forgetfulness. As he goes deeper into his quest, he discovers the power of imagination and creativity and deepens his understanding of love, friendship and courage. The play was awarded Outstanding Original Libretto in the 10th Gawad Buhay Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts.

Buklod Album Launch
November 17, 2018

Noel Cabangon, Romeo Dongeto and Rene Boncocan are back together as Buklod, one of the most popular protest music groups in the 1980s and the early 1990s. Buklod is launching 10-song album called “3 Dekada: Ang Muling Pag-awit,” with three originals from each of the members plus a refreshed version of “Tatsulok,” the carrier single of the second album released in 1991, a commentary on society that is as relevant then as it is today.

“Rehearsing Democracy & Resiliency: Human Rights Education and Advocacy in the Arts”
January 2018- June 2019

PETA will be working with some of the most vulnerable communities affected by the war on drugs, such as urban poor communities in the NCR namely Caloocan, Malabon-Navotas and Manila. PETA hopes to be able to assist these communities in finding ways for them towards recovery and rehabilitation.

“Charot”
February 1 to March 17, 2019

A Filipino colloquial term that means "just kidding,” "charot" is used to downplay an otherwise scathing statement to mere jest. PETA's "Charot" will present Philippine current events for the freak show that it is, imagining a future under the new charter and its consequences. It will showcase how ridiculous we have allowed our country to be, and how more hilarious it will become.

“Human Rights Film Festival”
February 27, March 6, 13, 20, 2019

A series of film screenings featuring the works of Chito Roño, Chuck Escasa, and more, to be held every Wednesday at the PETA Roofdeck.

“Manila Improv Festival 2019”
March 27-31, 2019

Third World Improv and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) present the Manila Improv Festival 2019. This year’s festival will feature performances by improvisers from all over the globe. Created by Silly People’s Improv Theater (SPIT), the Manila Improv Festival (MIF) has earned an increasing following from improvisers, enthusiasts, and fans from all over the world. Now in its fifth edition, the MIF has come a long way since its first run in 2004.

“Words Anonymous Anniversary Show”
April 27, 2019

Words Anonymous is a group popularly known for “hugot-filled” spoken word. Apart from their romance-themed poetry, they also tackle a variety of themes that aim to shed light on important issues, including human rights, mental health, equality, LGBT issues, women empowerment, and other topics. Through their performances, they weave tales of love, loss, inequality, and the struggles of finding one’s place in the world.

“The Kundiman Party”
May 24-26, 31, June 1-2

In challenging times like the one we Filipinos find ourselves in today, how does resistance take on creative and powerful forms? And how can art unify different generations of Filipinos at a time when protest is so vital? “The Kundiman Party” is set in the tumultuous present. It is a bittersweet comedy about the times we live in and the choices we all must make.

“The Kundiman Party” was first staged as the finale of the Dulaang UP 2017-2018 season. Rave reviews, SRO crowds and extended performances marked the world premiere of the Floy Quintos work, directed by Dexter Santos. The PETA staging showcases the original cast led by Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino.