Legazpi City—Sining Banwa’s longest-running play, Gymgurls, returns to the stage for a special fundraising run in support of the upcoming Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon 2025, set to bring theater performances to various barangays in Albay on March 27 to 30.
First staged in 2015, Gymgurls is an advocacy play aimed to shed light on HIV/AIDS awareness, weaving together the stories and realities of people living with HIV (PLHIV).
Over the years, the play has served as a powerful tool for education and dialogue, challenging stigma and fostering empathy through the medium of theater.
In an effort to make theater more accessible to the public, Sining Banwa is implementing a “pay-as-you-can” system for the show, with a minimum ticket price of 75 pesos. The fundraising performances are scheduled for March 15 at 6:00 PM and March 16 at 2:00 PM at the Pasakalye BLKBX Studio.
Proceeds from the event will directly support Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon 2025, a grassroots festival aimed at bringing free theater performances to local communities, enriching cultural appreciation, and promoting socially relevant narratives.
By staging Gymgurls once more, Sining Banwa not only continues its commitment to advocacy-driven storytelling but also strengthens its mission of making theater a platform for awareness, inclusivity, and community engagement.I Ken Oliver Balde
