PETAs' Palanca award-winning play, Ismail at Isabel, is back from its Asian presentation at the recently held Mekong Arts and Media Festival. Members of the Philippine Educational Theater Association  performed side-by-side with some of the most talented groups and artists of the Mekong region.


The festival brought together sixty international artists to perform and share various bodies of work in theater, visual arts, film, video, and photography that have contributed in consciousness-raising and other advocacy initiatives in the Mekong communities. The festival also gave special highlight to the children and youth sector's works, participation, and contributions in various development initiatives in the sub-region.


The Philippines was especially chosen to perform at the festival because of the powerful message of the play. Ismail at Isabel revolves around two characters: Ismail (a Muslim) and Isabel (a Christian), who lived in a village called Dilangawen, an atypical place in Mindanao where Muslims and Christians once settled peacefully until it collapsed due to the pressures of violence and war. Mirroring similar events facing the country today, the play also exposes the plight of children and the ill effects of war towards them, their families and their environment.


Typical of PETA's plays, Ismail at Isabel use images of children, storytelling and familiar humor to engage its audience.  Its director Maribel Legarda lends an artistic interpretation of the narrative by mixing traditional dance and modern music with games and contemporary art forms like shadow puppetry.


Catch Ismail at Isabel at its Philippine shows at SM Fairview on January 29, 30, 31 (10:00 am and 3:00pm).


For more information, contact the PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at 7256244/ 4100821/ 0917-8044428.


Singapore Airlines is the official carrier of the Philippine delegates to the Mekong Arts and Media Festival.