The Youth Advocates through Theater Arts facilitated a training on Theater for Development (T4D) in a Post-Haiyan Context from Oct. 26-31 at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
Its training team included Junsly Kitay, Onna Rhea Quizo and its Executive Director Dessa Quesada Palm.
Organized and coordinated by Carmela Millado Manuel of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Pilipino, participants included its Actors’ Company members, as well as theater artists from Sirang Theater Ensemble of Leyte Normal University, Dagway Sigmahanon of Sigma, Capiz, and Bisdak Pride of Cebu.
The six-day training covered topics such as principles of Sustainable Development, Socratic Dialogue, Theory of Change, Theater of the Oppressed with focus on the use of Forum Theatre, Theater for Development and a special input on Philippine Theater History as told and performed by theater luminary Lutgardo Labad.
A one-day eco-cultural tourism around Bohol included an anotated visit to the Bohol Museum and the earthquake-damaged Loon Church, watching performances of the Lincud Cultural Collective, the internationally renowned Loboc Children’s Choir, and excerpts of Teatro Porvenir by Dulaang Kasing Sining.
“The week-long training had been quite exhilirating. To hear the various ways that theater had been instrumental in raising awareness and changing the way people thought and lived in different parts of the country, and be able to trace this meaningful work through centuries of theater and cultural work deeply affirms the role that theater plays in human development. And Bohol provided a rich context of this dynamic praxis,” said Quesada-Palm.
The Theater for Development project is supported by UNICEF. (YATTA PR)
