Breaking the silence on a topic rarely addressed in Philippine theater, ANG BALYENA, a thought-provoking stage play exploring the impact of toxic Filipino masculinity and the trauma of male s*xual assault survivors, is set to premiere this July 19, 2025, at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Design + Arts Theater.
Produced by Aninag Theatre, the student-led theater company of Benilde’s School of Arts, Culture, and Performance (SACP), Ang Balyena promises an intimate, emotional, and culturally grounded portrayal of an issue often hidden beneath layers of stigma.
Directed by acclaimed theater artist and cultural worker Joy Delos Santos, with a script by Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee Baby Jay Crisostomo, the two-hour production depicts the story of Jonah, a man at the peak of his career who is seemingly successful and in control. But during a quiet celebration among family and friends, buried tensions and unspoken histories rise to the surface.
Told through shifting timelines, the play follows Jonah’s journey from an eager, talented young boy to an accomplished man silently carrying the weight of his trauma. At its core, Ang Balyena examines how toxic Filipino masculinity perpetuates cycles of silence, repression, and shame, especially for male survivors of s*xual assault.
“Jonah explores victimhood, all while taking the impact of toxic Filipino masculinity,” the production team shared. “It captures that trauma through the metaphor of an all-consuming and ever-pursuing whale, as well as the analogies of isolation and vastness that come with water.”
The production incorporates striking visual and auditory elements inspired by the depths of the sea through color, sound design, movement, and lighting. Ang Balyena is deeply rooted in Filipino culture, not only in its language and setting but also in the familiar dynamics of family, community, and societal expectations.
The producers were motivated to tackle the play due to the lack of media representation and resources for Filipino male survivors of s*xual assault. “One of our objectives with this production – and by extension our research – is to add to the limited supply of media about the issue” they explained.
All shows are to be staged at the 5th Floor Theater, Benilde Design + Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
OPENING: July 19 – 1PM (SAT)
REGULAR: July 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 – 6PM
GALA: July 26 – 1PM (SAT)
TICKET PRICES:
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and Senior Citizens – ₱320
Benildeans – ₱350
General Admission – ₱400
Gala Night (includes exclusive Aninag Theatre merchandise) – ₱500
Tickets can be secured through https://tinyurl.com/AngBalyena. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/aninagtheatree .
