Over a year since it was forced to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic, PETA is bringing Rody Vera’s moving drama Under My Skin, which is directed by Melvin Lee, from the stage to the screen this November and December! This theater event is in partnership with esteemed HIV advocacy organizations Love Yourself PH and The Red Whistle, and UNILAB, INc., PETA’s major co-presenter.
The film will be streaming online from November 26 to 28, and from November 30 to December 5, which coincides with December 1’s World AIDS Day.
Under My Skin features stories inspired by real people and events, depicting the realities, triumphs, and struggles of people living with HIV and starting a conversation on acceptance and tolerance. It centers on a number of characters whose stories are viewed and told from the perspective of Dr. Gemma Almonte, who has been studying the spread of the virus.
One is about Jonathan, Greg, Syd, and Mario, whose relationships change when Jonathan is infected. Another is a story about Dino, an HIV-positive teen who finds out he has the virus through a contraction of tuberculosis. There’s also a story about a gay beauty parlor employee who experiences work-related discrimination. Lastly, there’s the story of Mary Rose, a mother who got the virus from her husband and unknowingly passed it down to her son.
The streaming of the production comes at a time when spreading awareness and education on the virus has never been more necessary. As the world struggles through the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of HIV cases has also not stopped increasing. “It’s one issue that we might think is well-discussed. We may even think that people are already well-informed about it, but when you look at the numbers, it shows that we still have more to do to spread awareness and education,” said director Melvin Lee.
Under My Skin is written by Rody Vera and directed by Melvin Lee. Starring in the online streaming version are Cherry Pie Picache, Eko Baquial, Gio Gahol, Mike Liwag, Jarred Jaicten, Kitsi Pagaspas, Dylan Ray Talon, Dudz Teraña, She Maala, Bene Manaois, Erold Enriquez, Jason Barcial, Joseph Madriaga, Rach Gimpes, Reggie Ondevilla, Roy Dahildahil, Gerard Dy, and Ekis Gimenez.
The 2020 stage production was also awarded a number of citations in Gawad Buhay! Awards for 2020. This includes Outstanding Script, Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play, Outstanding (Original) Play, Outstanding Female Lead, Featured Performances for Male and Female, and more.
Tickets are priced at P180 for Livestream and P250 for Video on Demand. These can be purchases via this bit.ly/undermyskinonline, the Ticket2Me website, and via Under My Skin Show buyers. Those who are planning to buy tickets in bulk may also contact Mitch Go at 0917-539-1112.
Under My Skin is streaming on Ticket2Me from November 26 to 28 and from November 30 to December 5. For more information regarding this online theater event, you may check out PETA’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.
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