Drama on positive discipline

What is more entertaining and moving than seeing a situation being magnified on stage? Our society is beset with various social illnesses and concerns. And we face them on a daily basis that sometimes we accept them as part of life. And even what we truly believe that is wrong has become a reality and so accepted by many. But when mounted on stage we come to terms on the many faces of life and realize that indeed there are practices that though commonly practiced have negative impact to many.

This is true when we see and think, as perceived as simple, that hitting the bottom, pinching, kicking, shaking, threatening, humiliating, belittling children are just common consequences when they misbehave. Without even knowing that these are forms of corporal punishment-used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort. These are disciplining methods that are cruel and degrading and even traumatic to children. And that there is a better alternative to it: positive and non-violent discipline.

Last October 8 and 9, 2015, the SM Foodcourt and Talisay South Town Centre were full-packed of audience from various sectors, civil society organizations, children and youth organizations, students, teachers, and religious groups. Plan International Philippines and Cebu City Government presented "Aah…Bakus! Disiplina, Dili Dagmal!", a musical play promoting positive discipline, a public education on disciplining children without harm.

The PETA-YATTA or Philippine Educational Association Theater Association-Youth Advocates for Theater Arts was behind the successful staging of the play. YATTA is a nonprofit cultural and development organization. It believes that the performing arts serve as an empowering language for awareness-raising, values-formation and building strategies for action. Its members are community youth, students and young professionals. It is accredited by local government units of Dumaguete City and Negros Province. It was founded in 2005 by Dessa Quesada-Palm, the artistic director and was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2009.

The musical play written by Junsly Kitay, music by Hope Tinambacay and directed by Nikki Cimafranca was based on a PETA play "Rated PG" by Liza Magtoto. This was part of the PETA Advocate Right to Safety Zones project that seeks to promote positive and non-violent discipline as an alternative to corporal punishment.

The performers were alumni and current members of YATTA. They gave their best, delivering their lines that are both clear to the ears and conscience. They danced, moved and sang with gusto. Furthermore, the use of minimal sets and props showed the ingenuity and creativity of the production team. Though they have had performances in some other malls, it is still my fervent hope that their performances can be viewed widely in various communities where the issue is still considered taboo.   

Belt has already been associated to something used to hit children. And inside the households, it is used by parents to inflict harm to children as a punishment. But gone are the days when parents used sticks and belts to punish their children. Though there is an opposing school of thought that would point out that for those recipients of this kind of punishment regard this as efficient as they become good people now. This is however not anymore totally responsive to the need of time. Intervening factors like technology, peer pressure and orientation produce the kind of children today. They may be misguided at times but this is basically the role of responsible adults-providing them with the necessary attention, love and care. If they cannot obtain these from us, then from whom?   

Once again the big stage has proven that such prevailing and sensitive issue of child abuse can open spaces for dialogues. The stage has provided a venue for expression. These expressions are voices from children who scream for attention and help. Collectively, the musical play provided hope for the children that someday their voices would reach to the level of wide consciousness among families and communities.

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