Gender & National Identity: The Peoples Theatre in the Philippines

This book investigates the history of the Philippine Peoples Theatre, its culture, aesthetic and pedagogical aims and its contribution to the changing status and role of the Filipino women.It focuses on the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), the most significant exponent of the Philippine Peoples Theatre. The book differentiates itself from studies in this area in several ways. Firstly, by aiming to establish the connection between feminism, nationalism and radical theatre as these ideologies coalesced in the time of the inception of this pioneering theatre. Secondly, by highlighting the central role of two prominent PETA women: Cecile Guidote Alvarez, PETAs founder and Marilou Leviste Jacob, one of PETAs leading playwrights. Thirdly, this book extends to include PETAs more recent activities such as its mobile theatre. The content is of strategic interest to Third World development workers, to students and researchers investigating the various socio-economic, political, educational and cultural areas of Philippine studies.