What is HPV? It’s not everyday we see or hear these letters attributed to a viral infection that everyone should be careful about.
HPV infection is a viral infection that commonly causes skin or mucous membrane growths (warts). There are more than 100 varieties of human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection cause warts, and some can cause different types of cancer. Most HPV infections don’t lead to cancer.
Frontline Production Inc. with Rotary Club South San Francisco California as co-presenter raise the stage curtains for Ka.SEEN.halaga (HPV Out!), a one of a kind play that brings the feels and information about the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV.
Why, of all subjects, they chose to create a theater play about HPV infection?
“We started a show last year titled ‘Ward 448,’ an HIV awareness theater production. Fortunately, nabalitaan ng Rotary Club San Francisco, California ‘yung project namin about HIV, and napanood nila ‘yung teaser. Through the help of doktora Jasmine Flores, nagkaroon siya ng idea na magkaroon ng awareness about HPV. Kaya ‘yung title namin at ‘HPV, Out!’ kasi hindi siya napag-uusapan. Maraming tao ang aware sa HIV pero hindi nila napag-uusapan ang HPV. Siya (Jasmine) ang nag-encourage sa akin na gumawa ng awareness show about HPV. And I contacted Ms. Liza Magtoto to create an idea or story about HPV,” answers director Rodel Mercado.
On casting the lead characters
“Nagpa-audition po kami pero namroblema ako kung sino ang magiging lead na tatlo. Unang una, kailangan ko ng matured na dad. Most of our actors (from Frontline Productions) nasa 20s pa lang kaya marami akong minessage na celebrity. Luckily, nagkasundo kami ni Migui (Moreno) tapos si Angela, she’s from our agency and nag-usap kami ni Ms. Liza (Magtoto, writer), sabi ko nahirapan ako kumuha ng trans. Ang peg ko kasi talaga trans – may suso, etc. Pero meron akong nakuha, okay na, nag-rehearse na. Pero biglang na-pressure, nag-quit! Then may kinuha ako from mainstream theater kaso hindi kinaya ng schedule. Until lumapit na ako kay Ms. Liza, sabi ko kailangan ko na ng tulong. Baka may ma-refer and pumasok si Phi. Si Phi madami din ganap pero luckily, nagkausap kami na eto ang schedule,” shares director Rodel.
Phi Palmos on not being the first choice for the lead role and on doing ka.SEEN.halaga (HPV, Out!)
“I think at the end of the day, hindi mahalaga kung first choice ka. Ang pinka-importante ay ikaw ang napili at ikaw ang natira. I always believe in divine intervention. The things that are meant for you will always find its way to you. Baka para sa akin meant talaga. Nung kinausap ako ni ate Liza, hindi ako nahirapang mag-yes kasi advocacies like this is very close to my heart. Bago pa ako mag-teatro, I worked for numerous NGOs here and abroad. So, ‘yung advocacy ko ay talagang malapit sa aking puso. ‘Yung advocacy in terms of HIV and AIDS awareness, sexuality and reproductive health, malapit sa puso ko. Yes, maraming mga ginagawa pero I think it all boils down to the fact kung gaano kaimportante ang dapat gawin at kung makakatulong naman tayo para sa pagdisseminate ng ganitong ka-importanteng information, I think it’s always a privilege to educate. Kaya kahit ngarag, I think we have plenty of time to rest when we die, so when we’re alive, kung kaya, laban,” Phi Palmos answers.
Major Sponsors are MSD, PAGCOR, OROCAN. Minor Sponsors: SOGO, Nature’s Spring & Zephaniah’s Catering.
Ka.SEEN.halaga (HPV. Out!) is slated on July 14, 2024. Matinee 3:00pm and Gala 8:00pm, at the RCBC Theater, Makati City.
Tours in campus and universities and other outreach performances will happen on September.
In conclusion, Director Mercado said: “Aside from it being entertaining and educational, this theater show will help in championing the fight against the deadly Human Papilloma Virus.”
For tickets for the July 14 matinee and gala shows, please buy them at ticket2me.net or send your queries to 0954-170-2679 and please look for Bevs Lalo.
Watch our video coverage of the media conference below: