On eavesdropping and phone calls: This series of radio plays tells the Filipino pandemic story

[Trigger warning: Suicide]

UP Broadway Company goes online with their first ever radio drama festival entitled TAWAG: A Series of Online Radio Plays. The festival features six new original radio plays, each highlighting today’s societal issues amid the pandemic, ranging from mental health and sex work to LGBTQ+ rights.

The festival is for the benefit of UPLB Connectivity Assistance for Remote Students (UPLB CARES), an assistance program that aims to provide learning resources to students experiencing difficulties in the transition to remote learning. 

Theraputa (May 14 to 16, 2021)
Written by Edward Solon 
Directed by Bed Awa-ao

A young depressed man tries to vent his issues through a phone sex service, but the phone operator he calls is not having any of it.

Among Our Bubble (May 14 to 16, 2021)
Written by Rebecca Padua Hernandez
Directed by Ju Petalver

Three people stranded in their own apartments get together to play Among Us to cope with the lockdown. They realize over time that under normal circumstances, they would not talk to each other as they come from different points on the political spectrum.

Kiss and a Half of it (May 21 to 23, 2021)
Written by Rebecca Padua Hernandez
Directed by Edward Solon

Two boys consider how they would make their couple status official to their peers. The first person they think of telling is a best friend and unrequited lover.

Unica Hija (May 21 to 23, 2021)
Written by Adrian Carlo Fajardo
Directed by Allen Marquez

On a dark, stormy night in Manila, Lorena, an undiagnosed COVID-stricken mother, is in search of her daughter—a transgender woman. Her daughter has not come home in the past three days. All Lorena knows is that her daughter left riding in a stranger’s car, wearing bright red lipstick for work. With nowhere else to go, she proceeds to the police and pleads for help, only to find out she was too late.

Pamamaalam (May 28 to 30, 2021)
Written by Edward Solon
Directed by Johnny B. Maglinao

A young man records a farewell message for his friends, claiming that his suicide will be their fault, but as he speaks, he realizes that that isn’t entirely true.

Late Na Late Na (May 28 to 30, 2021)
Written by Jolly Bilad
Directed by Charlene Alto

A dying mother calls her estranged daughter for reconciliation before her birthday.

TAWAG begins on May 14, running a duo of plays each weekend until May 30. Catch Theraputa and Among Our Bubble on May 14-16; Kiss and A Half Of It and Unica Hija on May 21-23; and Pamamaalam and Late Na Late Na on May 28-30. Festival passes are also available for those who want to catch all six plays.

Tickets start at P150 and can be availed on www.ticket2me.net.

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