UNDER MY SKIN IS A MASTERFUL PIECE

"Under My Skin" is a masterful piece of art emblazoned in the realms of the true and real lives of people. This play is an anthology of multiple stories about Filipinos living with HIV gathered from several anecdotes and stories from PLHIV, medical practitioners, friends and families. While most theater plays go into the artistic and whimsical, Under My Skin goes direct to the point. It explicitly depicts real-life experiences that is done in an in-your-face attack to your brains and your innermost emotions of the heart.The play chronicles authentic, true-to-life stories of people living with HIV (PLHIV) woven together by the character of Dr. Gemma Altamonte, who is also based on a real person.

This wonderfully directed piece from Melvin Lee deals with scenarios that are often heart-wrenching and would elicit tears from anyone. We are treated to an emotional rollercoaster of emotions as one discovers the presence of the virus to the challenges one faces after the realization and the difficult path towards acceptance. It shows that HIV is not a death sentence and that the heartache of one's discovery should turn into hope and the will to survive. 

The play hits you really hard as it starts off with a very strong monologue from Dr. Gemma Altamonte, played by Cherry Pie Picache (with alternate Roselyn Perez). Then we are introduced one by one to the great cast that makes us immerse into the lives of these people seamlessly. There’s Dino (Dylan Talon), a teen who loved DOTA and later discovers his positive status after a case of tuberculosis whose portrayal was one of the best. His realness and authenticity makes us feel his struggles in a way that we want to hug and comfort him.

We are also introduced to Jonathan (Migs Almendras with alternate Mike Liwag) and Greg (Gio Gahol with alternate Anthony Falcon), who play as lovers who have to deal with their relationship after knowing of their statuses. One compelling scene shows their first coupling into an erotic aerial dance as Sid gives a stirring monologue about the recklessness sexual choices. It goes to show that even with the knowledge of the importance of using condoms, the sexual impulse brought about by the situation could lead to a difference scenario otherwise.

 The other stories also provide for different scenarios. We get to see Mary Rose (She Maala), who unknowingly transferred the virus to her child and how she hot the virus from her husband.There is also Sid (Eko Baquial) who have to deal with his friends that contracted the virus and how he manages their ignorance and a gay comedy club performer (Dudz Terana), who uses comedy as his shield and defense mechanism in his struggles of having the virus.

This play is indeed an eye-opener. It states the facts rather than sugarcoating the reality. We get to see the reality of the world wherein a lot still practice unsafe sex. We are shown how the stigma and not the virus itself kills with incidences of work-related discrimination and the feeling of depression to a lot of infected people. The sad reality of potential for mental health issues and suicide instead of pursuing treatment is also explicitly relayed as other people's means to not expose themselves to the public eye. Under My Skin is a real human experience that successfully sends a strong message to us about HIV but more importantly shows that love and hope can thrive in these situations. This is a must-watch indeed.

***'Under My Skin' is part of PETA's HIV and AIDS awareness campaign 'Acting on HIV'. 'Under My Skin' runs from February 7 to March 22, 2020 (Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays/Sundays at 3pm and 8pm), at PETA Theater Center, No.5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.

Ticket Prices: 

P1,800 - VIP

P1,500 - ORCHESTRA Premium

P1,000 - ORCHESTRA Regular

P1,500 - BALCONY Premium

P800 - BALCONY Regular