Page 169 - EMBRACE Book

Mobile Theatre Project

The EMBRACE project in the Philippines addressed teen Carmina Canya, the Guidance Coordinator at Bitaogan
reproductive health awareness through a mobile theatre National High School, felt that the mobile theatre was very
project. It aimed to teach youth the importance of taking helpful. “The presentation from ADRA showed a lot of
charge of their reproductive health and rights. entertaining ‘scenes.’ More importantly, it discussed
‘sensitive’ topics regarding sexuality, such as that the
Alyza Joy Frivaldo, an ADRA MCH Field Officer, explained the readiness of young girls and boys is important because
main objective of the mobile theatre. “We wanted to show wrong choices may lead to early pregnancy. Early marriage
something that would trigger the minds of the audience, that is very common, especially in remote areas because the
would make them contemplate that this is reality, that these youth lack knowledge about reproductive health. It creates
things are happening now and we need to talk about it.” more impact to the students, especially when the actors
deliver humourous lines.”
Abner Orgaya, the School Head of Federico P. Condat
National High School, one of the schools visited by the mobile One of the actors described the play. “A lot of lessons can be
theatre, agreed. “We no longer have to keep these things a learned from the play. The theme of the play is based on
secret from the students. It’s better to have an open current issues. Teenage pregnancy, childcare starting from
discussion.” the womb until they grow. They should watch and realize,

Photo: © 2019 ADRA | Frank Spangler
‘Oh, this is what we should do,’ or ‘This is what could The play was well-received by the students. One female
happen.’” student said, “I loved it because it was my first time to see
this kind of play. But I liked it more because it teaches us
“This play was created to inform the youth about sex youth about sexuality and how to take care of our bodies.”
education and how to prevent teenage pregnancy,” further
explained an actor. “Acting in the theatre is more effective One male student summed up, “Premarital sex won’t help
because it catches the people’s attention and they retain the you in life.”
168 information more as opposed to seminars, which tend to be Another female student concluded, “We shouldn’t make 169
boring. We decided to do a play so it would be more
entertaining.” hasty decisions when it comes to love so we won’t regret it in
the end.”
Another actor shared, “The play just showed bits because the
topic (on Reproductive Health) is very broad. But it was “Thank you very much, ADRA, for visiting our school,” said
contextualized in the lives of high school students, who are Carmina Canya. “We hope you don’t get tired of visiting other
naturally curious about these things. The students can relate schools so more students will learn and be more informed
to the characters because they can identify similar about this sensitive topic – Reproductive Health and Gender
personalities among their classmates and friends.” Issues. Thank you very much!”

Photo: © 2019 ADRA | Frank Spangler