In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Philippine Educational Theater Association will be streaming “Under My Skin,” a play inspired by real-life events that accurately chronicles the stories of people living with AIDS.
The anthology drama written by Rody Vera and directed by Melvin Lee will be streaming in partnership with AIDS advocacy group Love Yourself Inc. and health and human rights volunteer organization The Red Whistle. “Under My Skin” was the last live production helmed by PETA before the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
The show tells different stories that navigate the relationships, struggles, and realities that people with AIDS encounter, including a teen with HIV, a mother who unknowingly contracts the virus and passes it down to her son, a gay salon employee experiencing discrimination, and a group of gay friends whose relationships are tested when one of them gets infected.
“Under My Skin” aims to provide a space where HIV advocacy groups and individuals living with HIV can unite and support their cause through art.
“We believe that Under My Skin Online can continue to serve as a platform for probing conversations and reflections as well as bringing attention to and engaging the public on the issue of HIV and AIDS. Converting the production into the film medium would allow for more people to see it—and bring to the spotlight the advocacy,” says PETA executive director Beng Santos-Cabangon.
The show also hopes to initiate more conversations about HIV and AIDS due to the rise of undiagnosed cases given the lack of testing and a gap in treatment during the pandemic. “If we want to change people’s minds, we need to tug on their heartstrings first. This is why the arts [are] an important and necessary component—especially during this pandemic—not just for awareness and education, but also for behavior change in HIV advocacy,” says The Red Whistle executive director Benedict Bernabe.
The online streaming cast features Cherry Pie Picache, Eko Baquial, Gio Gahol, Mike Liwag, Jarred Jaicten, Kitsi Pagaspas, Dylan Ray Talon, Dudz Teraña, She Maala, Bene Manaois, Erold Enriquez, Jason Barcial, Joseph Madriaga, Rach Gimpes, Reggie Ondevilla, Roy Dahildahil, Gerard Dy, and Ekis Gimenez.
The production is streaming from Nov. 26 to 28 and Nov. 30 to Dec. 5. Tickets are available at P180 for live stream and P250 for video on demand through Ticket2Me.net.