"MAGKANAWONG" - A mobile Theater Production performed by PETA-trained Children's Education and Welfare Program (CEWP) facilitators

'Magkanawong' at Kiponget Elem. School FLTR Mikhael Mocsin, Ryan Talatala, Queenie Saquilan, Renette Ventura, Niel Rose Juanitas

CEWP Facilitators from left to right: Niel Rose Juanitas, Renette Ventura, Ryan Talatala at Kiponget Elem School, Palimbang

The main purpose of REP is to integrate value-based teaching techniques in the formal curriculum and to embed deeper understanding about respect in all aspect of everyday living to cultivate helpful improvement into current generations’ values. In line with this, an idea came up to generate a short theatrical production summarizing the core message that this project aims to deliver – equality amidst culture, tribe, and religion diversity.

MAGKANAWONG: the carrier title of REP’s mobile theatre production (MTP) is a cebuano word which means “look alike (physically).” However, this does not literally mean likelihood in physical features but rather deeper than the surface meaning. In its goal to convey a more relatable and easily understood term, “Magkanawong” was then used to signify similarity or “equality,” as human beings despite the differences.

CEWP Project Coordinator Richel Ventura giving an opening message to the students of Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU)

It’s a beautifully crafted 45 minute MTP co-produced with the expertise of Philippine Educational Theaters Association (PETA) and the CEWP Facilitators. This production showcases actual situations in Mindanao which has been greatly affected by history and has incurred divergence in cultural and tribal views and belief throughout the evolution of generations. Furthermore, these differences have caused detrimental effects specifically discrimination in employment and cross-religion marriages; even bullying in education, extra-curricular activities, and treatment in other forms. Eventually, a quoted line from one of the characters “dapat nating tulungan ang isa’t isa dahil nasa iisang bangka lang tayo (we should help each other because we are in the same boat…)” and “ang Mindanao ay para sa Mindanao (Mindanao is for Mindanao)” express oneness despite the differences and instead of wars to own Mindanao, settlers should unite and protect of their land to preserve a tranquil abode.

First showcase of "Magkanawong" at Milbuk Central Elementary School (July15, 2016)

This Mobile Theater Production will be used as an advocacy act of the program to promote “RESPECT” as the key to achieve peace and harmony among various tribes, confirming that there is “unity in diversity”. The first showcase of this production was held last July 15, 2016 at Milbuk Central Elementary School with an approximate 100 audiences which includes teachers and students of both elementary and highschool. This artistic campaign will be performed to a minimum of ten (10) schools and events in and around General Santos City, Sarangani Province and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.