Walang Aray Returns: A Riveting Revival That Redefines Love and Revolution
Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) proudly announces the triumphant return of its award-winning musical Walang Aray—a poignant reimagining of Severino Reyes’ sarsuwela, Walang Sugat. The fiercer and sharper iteration of the well-loved musical runs from August 29 to October 12, 2025, at the PETA Theater Center, as the centerpiece of PETA’s 58th season, themed Love and Power.
Walang Aray proves that classic stories can be timeless when reinforced with a daring spirit that speaks to the pulse of today’s society. Now on its third run, PETA bares a more comedic, more subversive, and bolder and biting Walang Aray that speaks directly to today’s generation of Filipinos. It calls to rise, to love fiercely—or as the spirit of the musical urges, Tumindig at Umibig… pa more!
Heal and fight back in a world full of aray
PETA’s new Artistic Director, J-mee Katanyag explains the necessity of a rerun: “Walang Aray remains to be a relevant theatrical piece for every Filipino trying to live, love, learn, heal, and fight back in a world full of aray.”
The musical delves into how love and power intersect, examining how our romantic, familial, and national relationships shape and often wounded by systems of control. She adds, “This version doesn’t pretend we are unhurt. It acknowledges na may sugat, may aray mula sa kasaysayan, sa lipunan, sa pamilya, and that these wounds may change form over time, but they remain.”
Director Ian Segarra reflects on the initial staging of Walang Aray, acknowledging the risk involved in reviving a traditional form like sarsuwela and infusing it with comedy, meta-theater, and commentary. The show resonated deeply by mirroring collective experiences, proving that a story seemingly set in the past could reflect the pains, absurdities, and courage of the present.
As Segarra puts it, “Walang Aray became a bridge between the past and the present—and for many, a realization that the wounds of our history are still open.”
Revolutionary Casting
At the heart of Walang Aray‘s new iteration is its revolutionary and inclusive casting. PETA embraced a bold vision and purposefully gave center stage to diverse voices and identities. This is an artistic choice that redefines storytelling. By featuring members of the LGBTQIA+ community in pivotal roles, PETA broadens the lens through which we understand identity, relationships, and community.
The inclusion of new cast members further adds to the excitement, with two sets of actors bringing “double the brilliance, double the chaos, double the heart.” Their fresh interpretations and electric chemistry have transformed the show.
Love and Revolution
This approach really drives home Walang Aray‘s main points: Love and Revolution. It asserts that true revolution begins with radical empathy and the courageous act of loving regardless of social constructs. This production advocates a non-binary way of looking at the world, where they celebrate every identity, and love transcends conventional boundaries. We embrace and we accept.
Furthermore, the whole cast of Walang Aray is full of amazing original and new cast members, and each one adds their own unique touch that enriches the narrative. The casting choices are organically woven into the fabric of the production, making the love story resonate with an unprecedented immediacy. Artistry meets advocacy, which is embedded in the beating heart and DNA of PETA.
For Ian Segarra, the rerun offered a rare opportunity to “dig deeper into the material with new eyes.” The team revisited scenes, questioned previous choices, and refined what needed refining, adding new songs and revisiting old ones. They also focused on ensuring a safe space for everyone in the production during rehearsals.
He shares that “the process was both humbling and thrilling”, especially with Norbs Portales joining as Associate Director, bringing “fresh pulse, insight, energy, and collaboration.”
Why is Walang Aray needed now more than ever?
In the current Philippine social and political setting where divisions and prejudice still run deep and voices on the margins often struggle, Walang Aray offers an important counter-narrative. It reminds us that at the center of our struggles are varying stories of affection, defiance, and hope. The play’s message of love and revolution urges us to fight for a world where everyone belongs and can love without fear of “aray.” It’s a wake-up call, wrapped in laughter, proving theater is still a potent force for understanding the world.
For Katanyag, “Walang Aray reminds us na kahit may sugat, may saya. Kahit may aray, may pagmamahal. At kapag tumindig ka at umibig ka pa more, may pag-asa… May paghihilom.” When artists and audience, past and future, come together to tell these stories of healing, “baka sakali… Walang Aray becomes more than a title and a play. It becomes a way forward.”
The return of Walang Aray is more than a theater run. It’s a cultural moment. It is a celebration of identities, a call to remember together, and a reminder that love will always be the most powerful revolution.
Walang Aray is produced by PETA in partnership with Indie.Go Media, together with its official banking partner, Metrobank. Moreover, the show runs for 38 shows at the PETA Theater Center from August 29-October 12, 2025. Tickets are now on sale via Ticket2Me.net.
For partnerships and inquiries, contact PETA at publicrelations@petatheater.com. For more information about Walang Aray, follow PETA’s social media pages: @petatheater.
