"Walang Aray" Returns: A Daring Reworking of a Timeless Story

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Meanwhile, the stage is set for a powerful theatrical comeback as the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) restages its critically acclaimed musical, "Walang Aray," at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. This contemporary adaptation of Severino Reyes’ classic zarzuela Walang Sugat returns with sharper satire, deeper emotional stakes, and a bold new direction.

Running from August 29 to October 12, 2025, this revival is the flagship production of PETA’s 58th season, themed "Love and Power". The new version, directed by Ian Segarra, promises to be more comedic and subversive while retaining its heartwarming core. The creative team has refined the production, adding new songs by composer Vince Lim and revisiting old ones to ensure the story resonates with today's audience.

The most revolutionary element of this revival is its inclusive casting, a deliberate move by PETA to broaden representation and challenge traditional norms in Filipino theater. In a groundbreaking choice, multi-talented performer Lance Reblando takes on the central role of Julia, proving that love stories can indeed break the mold.

The production also boasts a star-studded cast, including new members like Rendell Sanchez as Miguel and Divine Aucina as Monica. Adding even more star power are Philippine pop culture icons Jolina Magdangal and Ice Seguerra, who join the cast as Doña Juana and Lucas, respectively.

With a reimagined staging, inclusive cast, and new musical surprises, "Walang Aray" is more than just a play; it’s an invitation to laugh, reflect, and experience a fierce love and revolution on stage. As PETA's new Artistic Director J-mee Katanyag puts it, the musical remains relevant for every Filipino "trying to live, love, learn, heal, and fight back in a world full of aray”.

From the dynamic world of pet care to the emotional power of a timeless musical, Manila's cultural scene is set to offer a rich and diverse experience this fall. These two events, though vastly different, both speak to a society that is evolving and embracing new ways of seeing the world, whether through the bond with a beloved pet or through the lens of a daring and inclusive theatrical production.

DepEd, Security Bank to strengthen principal mentoring, school building program

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

MAKATI CITY, 29 August 2025 —In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to uplift the quality of education, the Department of Education (DepEd) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) and Security Bank Corporation (SBC) to boost school leadership through the Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building Program.

“Ang ating mga punong-guro at guro ang nagbibigay-buhay sa ating mga paaralan. Kung mas magiging mahusay ang kanilang pamumuno, mas magiging makabuluhan ang bawat aral, bawat klase, at bawat pangarap ng ating mga kabataan,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

The initiative will be carried out in partnership with Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle Philippines, the University of Bristol in UK, and The HEAD Foundation in Singapore. This mix of local expertise and global perspective is expected to provide Filipino educators with advanced training and mentoring tools.

The three-year mentoring program is designed in phases with the first year focusing on personal and professional growth of school heads. The second and third year will expand to school-wide improvement and community engagement, respectively.

Angara underscored that while addressing the classroom shortage remains a priority of the Marcos administration, it is equally important to invest in the people who lead schools. “By raising the competence of our principals, we ensure that the massive investments in infrastructure and resources translate into better student outcomes,” he added.

SBFI, through its flagship Build a School, Build a Nation Program, has already constructed 845 classrooms in 145 schools across 86 cities and municipalities since 2011. It has also invested in repairing 449 classrooms, training over 36,000 teachers, and mentoring more than 170 school principals nationwide. In total, the bank has poured some ₱1.9 billion into education initiatives, including ₱237 million in 2024 alone.

SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao Jr. emphasized that the new partnership represents a deepening of the bank’s commitment to nation-building.

Some 29 school principals from different regions of the country witnessed the ceremonial signing. They represent the 2025 batch of the program which began in 2023. Program beneficiaries mainly come from schools that have benefited from SBFI classroom donations. Additional educators may be included if slots are available.

Angara said the program echoes President Marcos’s directive to strengthen the education system through public-private partnerships (PPPs). “With partners like Security Bank, we are not only building classrooms but also building capacity. Hindi lang mga gusali ang ating itinatayo, kundi kinabukasan ng ating mga kabataan,” he said.

PUMAPATAY ANG KORAPSYON: Opisyal na Pahayag ng Kabataan ng PasigLaban Tungkol sa Korapsyon at Palpak na Flood Control Projects

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Pasig City, Philippines - Nitong mga nagdaang araw, umalingawngaw ang isyu ng garapalang korapsyon sa kabi-kabilang flood control projects sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa, kinasasangkutan ng mga kongresista at malalaking construction companies. Ang pagsisiwalat na ito ay pinangunahan nina Mayor Vico Sotto ng Pasig at Mayor Benjamin Magalong ng Baguio matapos ang matitinding pagbaha sa kabila ng mga proyektong isinagawa. Sa mahabang panahon na namumutawi ang korapsyon sa Pilipinas, tila nakasanayan na ng mga Pilipino ang mamuhay kasama ito—na para bang ito’y normal at bahagi na ng ating sistema. Imbes na kasuklaman, tinanggap na lamang ito ng karamihan. Bilang mamamayan at kabataang may malasakit, dapat na itong matuldukan.

Maraming Pilipino ang napeperwisyo dahil sa mga substandard na flood control projects na ipinapatayo bilang panandaliang solusyon sa problema ng baha. Sa kabila ng milyun-milyong pisong inilaan para rito, napupunta pa rin ang malaking bahagi sa bulsa ng mga ganid na pulitikong inuuna ang pansariling interes kaysa sa kapakanan ng mamamayan.

Kaming mga kabataan ay nakikiisa sa krusadang inumpisahan ng Pasig LGU tungo sa malinis at tapat na pamamahala. Kasama kami sa pagtindig ng iba pang lokal na lider at mga Pilipinong pagod at isinusuka na ang walang habas at hayagang pagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Ang sistematikong korapsyon sa loob ng maraming dekada ay maaari nating wakasan sa pamamagitan ng aktibong pakikilahok—hindi lamang sa pambansang antas kundi maging sa kani-kaniyang mga barangay. Maging kritikal at aktibo sa bawat pagkakataon, makilahok sa bawat espasyo ng partisipasyon sa inyong komunidad, at patuloy na iparinig ang kolektibong tinig laban sa bawat anyo ng katiwalian.

Hindi sapat ang magalit, malungkot, o manlumo sa mga anomalya at korapsyong nagaganap sa ating bansa. Gamitin nang mahusay ang ating mga karapatan upang higit na marinig ang ating panawagan. Huwag nating hayaang maging karaniwan ang pagnanakaw at paglapastangan sa kaban ng bayan. Hindi ito normal at kailanman ay hindi magiging normal. Ituring nating kasuklam-suklam na kasalanan ang korapsyon sapagkat hindi lamang nito sinisira ang kasalukuyan, kundi winawasak din ang kinabukasan nating mga kabataan.

Mahaba man ang laban kontra katiwalian, isa itong mahalagang hakbang tungo sa mas malinis at progresibong bukas. Wakasan ang maling nakasanayan at sama-sama nating iahon ang ating bayan. ##

About PasigLaban Kabataan Inc

PasigLaban Kabataan Inc. is a youth-powered organization in Pasig City dedicated to empowering young persons to become informed, proactive, and compassionate leaders in their communities. Since 2022, we have developed programs on education, health, climate action, disaster resilience, and active citizenship, with a strong focus on addressing urgent youth issues such as literacy, mental health, and access to support services. Through peer-led initiatives, advocacy, and collaborative projects, we create safe, inclusive spaces where young people can engage meaningfully and drive positive change.

Additionally, we also proudly serve as Chairperson of the COP on Education of the Pasig City Youth Development Council (2024–2026) and CSO Representative for Youth and Students in the Pasig City Local School Board (2022–2025), ensuring that youth voices shape local policies and programs. Our mission is to build a generation of empowered young leaders committed to equity, health, and community resilience.

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