PRESS RELEASE

YATTA takes on teen issues

The Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts embarks on a cultural campaign to raise critical awareness of youth issues and promote responsible behavior among teens. Dubbed Youth Think and Act, this campaign will be launched through an informance called Kaluwasan sa Damgo ni Greta, which explores issues such as teen sexuality, gang culture, violence and choices that young people take. The play, written by Aiza Pagbonocan, directed by Nikki Cimafranca with music by Earnest Hope Tinambacan, will be performed for Kalauman Development Center at the Chapel of the Evangel on Dec. 10 at 10am, and at the Little Children of the Philippines in Daro on Dec. 11 at 10am.

Other components of the cultural campaign include a 4-day workshop for teens that will combine life skills such as visioning, social mapping, debate and discernment, inputs on gender sensitivity, rights and responsibility. An integrated theater arts approach will be utilized with participants producing their own advocacy pieces towards a festival of original youth plays.

The Youth Think and Act project is supported by the United Evangelical Mission through the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. For more information, e-mail yatta.dumaguete@gmail.com or text 0915 8141444.

(Photo caption) Kaluwasan sa Damgo ni Greta cast members from left: Benjie Kitay, Marvelyn Lado, Hochi Benitez, Jhoewelyn David, John Lumapay, Nikki Cimafranca, Earnest Hope Tinambacan.

(by Dessa Quesada-Palm)