Photo from the Philippine Educational Theater Association
The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is staging a new production of "Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang," bringing the beloved fantasy stories to a new generation of audiences while introducing a fresh tale.
The production, titled "Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang at iba pa…" will have a limited run at the PETA Theater Center from September 21 to 30, ahead of a longer run in February 2027. It will also be available for school and community tours, either in excerpted form or as a full-length show.
"Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang" is an anthology of short stories by Severino Reyes that originally appeared in Liwayway magazine and has since been adapted into various forms of media, including film and television.
The PETA production features two classic stories adapted by for the stage by award-winning writer Christine Bellen.
These include "Ang Prinsipeng Mahaba ang Ilong," about a prince who discovers that worth goes beyond appearance, and "Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Hari," which follows a young woman who uses wisdom and courage to overcome power and prejudice.
The production also features a new story by J-mee Katanyag titled "Ang Bantay ng Huling Buwan," which centers on a girl "navigating a world of phones, vlogs, and questions" and brings "myth in conversation with science and digital culture," according to a press release.
READ: ‘Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang’ gets fresh retellings, new illustrations
The cast features Kiki Baento and CB Garrucho as Lola Basyang, Yhuan Gatbunton as Prinsipeng Mahaba ang Ilong, Belle Mendoza as Gracia, Leo Lapitan as Bungal and Pido, Thor Ganchero as Duling, Nyla Festejo as Sharay, Roi Calilong as Datu, Ayla Garcia as Bebang, Mico Esquivel as Lamukot, and JC Sunto as Uriel.
Meanwhile, the excerpt cast includes Yhuan Gatbunton as Prinsipeng Mahaba ang Ilong, Ericka Peralejo as Gracia/Bebang, Carlon Matobato as Hari/Duling/Pido, James Pe Lim as Bungal/Lamukot, and Icee Po as Reyna/Kawal/Sharay.
The show is directed by Phil Noble, who said this new iteration of the "Lola Basyang" play aims to make live theater exciting for children.
"I want them to discover another kind of world — the world of live theater. I want them to open themselves to other possibilities, to immerse themselves in the stories, and to become part of the magical world of Lola B," Noble said.