PETA Launches Interactive Flood Survival Play Touring Schools to Empower Youth

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is bringing an innovative interactive play titled “Gen G: GG na ’to!” to schools nationwide, immersing young audiences in a flood-ravaged alternate Philippines where they actively participate in community decision-making. This initiative aims to engage youth in understanding survival, governance, and collective responsibility amid crisis.

Developed in partnership with Move to Change Foundation, Inc. (M2C), a social purpose organization focused on empowering young leaders, the production is part of Project GG: Game Changers for Good Governance. This youth-centered campaign transforms civic education into experiential learning, emphasizing that every voice and act of participation contributes to building accountable communities and stronger democratic systems.

PETA emphasized that change begins not only when young people assume leadership roles but also when they recognize the significance of their everyday choices. To deepen this engagement, Project GG extends beyond the stage, offering interactive experiences, workshops, community dialogues, and other participatory activities designed to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and collective decision-making among youth.

“Gen G: GG na ’to!” is set in a fictional Philippines submerged under floodwaters, where young people inhabit “Balangay Gen Zones,” temporary communities intended for adaptable and resilient youth while adults seek solutions elsewhere. When the adults fail to return as expected, these young residents must navigate the challenges of running their community independently.

What sets this play apart is its interactive format: audiences influence the storyline through democratic exercises such as voting, making choices, and negotiating outcomes. This participatory approach allows viewers to become part of the community’s fate, confronting questions about whose voices are heard, who is left behind, and what priorities guide survival. The narrative challenges the notion of simply adapting to inherited systems, instead inviting reflection on whether to accept or transform them.

PETA’s artistic director and co-playwright J-mee Katanyag explained that the play’s genesis was the common youth expression “G?”—a prompt for decision-making. She noted that every affirmative choice reveals underlying values, care for others, and the type of community one helps build. This thematic core encourages young people to see participation as extending beyond elections and to embrace agency that questions, imagines, and acts collectively.

The creative team behind the production includes director Ian Segarra, playwrights Katanyag and Jhudiel Sosa, musical director Kabaitan Bautista, set and props designer Julio Garcia, and costume designer Johnnie Moran. The cast features a blend of emerging and established actors such as Lyle Viray, Johnrick Noynay, James Lanante, Camille Fabian, Francheska Andaya, Cb Lagapa, Ada Tayao, and Zoe Damag.

“Gen G: GG na ’to!” will tour 12 schools from September through December 2026, providing students with a unique opportunity to engage in civic education through theater. By actively participating in the play’s unfolding scenarios, young audiences gain a deeper understanding of governance, community priorities, and the power of collective action in times of crisis.