Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

PETA's UNDER MY SKIN Streaming Closes Today

There has been a ‘21% increase in new infection brought about by the decrease in HIV prevention coverage and increase in treatment gap.’ - DOH

PETA's UNDER MY SKIN Streaming Closes Today Manila, Philippines--The Philippine Educational Theater Association's HIV and AIDS advocacy play "Under My Skin," staged about two weeks shy of the first Metro Manila lockdown, was recently restaged and filmed for an online streaming version. Scripted by Rody Vera and directed by Melvin Lee, "Under My Skin," is available to watch online until today, December 5, at Ticket2Me.

This online presentation of "Under My Skin" can be viewed by audiences abroad; English subtitles are provided, too.

Inspired by real-life stories--some are Vera's closest friends--"Under My Skin" depicts the realities, triumphs, and struggles of people living with HIV while navigating a vital conversation about acceptance and tolerance. The show introduces us to several characters: Jonathan, Greg, Syd, and Mario, whose relationships are tested when Jonathan gets infected; Dino, an HIV-positive teen whose status is discovered through a contraction of tuberculosis; Mary Rose, a mother who unknowingly passed down the virus to her son after getting it from her husband; and a gay beauty parlor employee experiencing work-related discrimination, among others.

Presented as a conversation video and vignettes of people facing the disease, "Under My Skin" is anchored by a lead doctor, played by TV film veteran Cherry Pie Picache, who confidently shifts from narrating facts and figures to acting on stage with her co-actors. The online version's superimposed additional graphic effects lead your eyes to essential infographics and related video clips, which effectively aid the audience in understanding the subject matter even more.

According to PETA, now is the time to generate urgent conversations about HIV and AIDS, mainly because there has been a "21% increase in new infection brought about by the decrease in HIV prevention coverage and increase in treatment gap." (Department of Health, 2021)

Originally referred to as GRID or Gay-Related Immune Deficiency, "HIV can infect anyone--males and females, straight or not, from all sectors, even security guards," which was pointed out at a recent online viewing.

"Under My Skin" cast includes 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.

Neil Daza is the director of photography, whose zooming-in camera movements heightens the drama and facial expressions of the actors, which were not readily accessible in the physically staged version. Daza's handheld camera movements also add to the urgency of the show's message. In a scene where Dino and his mom attended the wake of Lemon, the camera's zooming in, and shot at a low angle, is visually affecting.

On the other hand, Vera's language is mainly unfiltered, which adds to the authenticity of the featured characters, especially during the very moment they first learned they're HIV positive.

For the infected, the most important first question is: "How do I handle this?" "Under My Skin" is an excellent go-to resource in this case.

And for the rest of society, it must be instilled repeatedly that HIV is not a life sentence. A person with HIV can manage the disease and live like everyone else.



Related Stories
Jeepney Dialogues: Teatro 77 Streams Online Play PARA, June 26 Photo
Teatro 77, a production collective of Filipino artists aiming to capture today’s realities via unconventional means, premieres the online play 'Para,' a fourth in a series of digital productions, on June 26. It streams on YouTube and Facebook.

Tanghalang Pilipinos DOC RESURECCION Now Streams on Ticket2Me Photo
Tanghalang Pilipino streams multi-awarded playwright Layeta Bucoy’s play 'Doc Resureccion: Gagamutin Ang Bayan,' via Ticket2Me now through April 30, 2022.

BWW Review: ISLAND SONG is Worth the Watch, Amid Streaming Hiccups Photo
Staging 'Island Song' virtually seems to fit in this pandemic season since live events are currently limited in the Philippines. However, Artremix Productions successfully made it possible to inspire theater enthusiasts and practitioners not to lose hope, as if theater is still alive [physically]. The internet could also be a platform to present a play or musical, but the difference is that it has to be either pre-recorded or be done live online. This first production of Artremix has various talented actors from different theater organizations, which means all of them are trained very well and can sing.

ISLAND SONG Makes Philippine Premiere Nov. 27, Dec. 4 Photo
Artremix Productions, a new multimedia and theater organization, is poised to premiere an online adaptation of 'Island Song,' a musical by Sam Carner and Derek Gregor, and developed with Marlo Hunter. “'sland Song' premiered at the Adirondack Theatre Festival in 2016. Artremix Productions’ adaptation, on the other hand, is the musical’s Philippine premiere, which follows previous productions in Ontario, New York City, London, Singapore, and Tokyo, among others.


From This Author - Oliver Oliveros

Oliver is a seasoned organizational communication, public relations, and digital marketing professional who works with CEOs and young professionals to hone their creativity, stakeholders' engag... (read more about this author)


KUNG PAANO NANALO SA KARERA SI ROSANG TABA Cast, Musicians Take Opening Weekend BowsKUNG PAANO NANALO SA KARERA SI ROSANG TABA Cast, Musicians Take Opening Weekend Bows
March 27, 2023

Dean Francis Alfar’s short story for children, “How Rosang Taba Won a Race” (Kung Paano Nanalo si Rosang Taba sa Isang Karera), is now a one-act play with music, adapted by playwrights Rody Vera and Maynard Manansala, and produced by Dulaang UP.

PHOTOS: Take a First Look at MINTeatro's ROMEO AND JULIETPHOTOS: Take a First Look at MINTeatro's ROMEO AND JULIET
March 19, 2023

Take a first look at MINTeatro’s production of William Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet,' a timeless and tragic tale of young love, from an edited text by Nelsito Gomez and Giselle Giorgia, who also directs the play, featuring an all-student cast.

Photos: Take a Peek at ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH, The Musical ('Yun Lang)Photos: Take a Peek at ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH, The Musical ('Yun Lang)
March 18, 2023

Ateneo Blue Repertory rises from the pandemic with its in-person production of the cult classic 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah, The Musical' ('Yun Lang), based on the comic book superheroine of the same name created by National Book Awardee Carlo Vergara.

Video: ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH, The Musical ('Yun Lang) Cast Take their Opening Weekend BowsVideo: ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH, The Musical ('Yun Lang) Cast Take their Opening Weekend Bows
March 18, 2023

Ateneo Blue Repertory rises from the pandemic with its in-person production of the cult classic 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah, The Musical' (‘Yun Lang), based on the comic book superheroine of the same name created by National Book Awardee Carlo Vergara.

VIDEO: Lauren Kidwell Belts Out 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'VIDEO: Lauren Kidwell Belts Out 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'
March 17, 2023

Lauren Kidwell, who plays Mother Abbess in the US National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music,' reprises the same role in the Asian tour engagements of the beloved family musical, which plays the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre at Circuit Makati until March 26, 2023.