Votes are in! #PETACharot is not an ordinary musical, it's a movement!

by Gerone Baladhay

Issues that are of national significance should be taken seriously - that is often the dogma. Yet, the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) latest offering: CHAROT, gracefully and wittingly sewn together a story that would not only entertain the audience but transcended humor into reflective comicality that will make any citizen question their political stand, awaken shied social responsibility and ultimately bring out the voice of the people.

Set on the year 2020 in the parodic city of “Matila”, a group of voters find themselves not only caught in a grueling carmageddon but also caught in weighing out the truths behind politicians they support or detest and the impact of the government’s initiative to change the country’s constitution which includes the adaptation of CHAROT or Charter of Togetherness that will succumb the whole nation into a federal form of government.

CHAROT is not simply a show, it’s a social phenomenon, it’s a movement. The show respected the concept of “free will” enough to make it an interactive musical. CHAROT understood how people power through participation and opinion-creation is the right way to celebrate freedom. Yes! The audience play an important role in this musical since their choice are taken into account within the story through live-voting.

It puts focus on the realities surrounding our capacity and right to vote as it makes you see how your discernment and decision as a citizen of this country will move results for the future and that you are responsible whatever the outcome would be.

There are no low moments, the highly charged music and choreography and on-point hit jokes that makes your tummy aches bears underlying message that would just make you feel guilty why you laughed at all. There is something parabolic on the humor, that after laughing you have this urge to reflect on taking serious actions against social problems that nowadays seemed to be always answered with “just kidding”.

PETA was able to put up a cast that embodied the diverse minds and hearts of Filipinos specifically on what they have to say to such a national matter. Cast includes Teetin Villanueva and CJ Navato (Millenial Teen Couple) who portrayed two young lovers divided by political views; Jason Barcial (Traffic Enforcer a.k.a. Boss) a typical idolizer of the country’s President; Lemuel Silvestre (Beki Carpool Driver) a former OFW that just wants to work efficiently for his “love” ones; Icee Po (Mall Clerk) a “probinsyana” that believes in the power of her vote; Jack Yabut (Pilot/Construction Worker) who played multiple role that epitomize a walking government brochure; Norbs Portales (Street Vendor) a come-and-go guy who learned the value of having a purpose in his vote; Gold Villar-Lim (Grethel Tuba) a woke, sexy and principled lady with a mysterious profession that often clash with Kitsi Pagaspas (Pregnant Mother) who always go where and with who pays her well; and Meanne Espinosa who played Tita Mary Grace who is a genuine personification of high society.

This ensemble not only gave life to the characters, but gave life to all our political conscience; it would be a lie to say no one cannot relate to at least one of them, thanks to the funny and charmingly witty dialogues put together by playwrights J-Mee Katanyag and Michelle Ngu that smoothly transformed a rescue scene to a series of critical discussions with a provoking ending.

And of course a musical won’t be a musical without the music; Vince Lim did an amazing job creating songs that is not only upbeat to the ears but are upbeat in delivering message to compliment the over-all aim of the performance. Ms. Maribel Legarda maximized the platform and exhausted all aspects of performative arts in raising political awareness in an already confused society.

I’m sure it’s a landslide victory for all who will watch CHAROT, whether you’re pro or con. You will come out well informed and well entertained, enough that you would want to watch it the second time around, just to see what would be the alternate ending, if one decided to choose a different path. Well, it depends, as the musical implies- the power is in our hands.

It’s a must see mg aka-P.I.! CHAROT will run from February 8 to March 17 at the PETA Theater. For tickets go call TicketWorld Manila at 891-9999, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph, or go to select National Book Store outlets. You may also check Ticket2Me at www.ticket2me.net or call PETA at 0927-603-5913.