‘Following the devastation brought upon by Typhoon Haiyan, the people of Great Britain raised P7-billion, which was matched by taxpayer’s funds by the Government. A 1,400-strong military and civilian team worked with international partners to deliver help directly to those in need,’ recounts Ambassador Asif Ahmad.

Writer and Playwright’s Notes

“I hope that after the play, it will show not only a vision of their stories through Shakespeare, but that it will evolve to an active understanding of the real stories of Yolanda survivors through the hearts of the audience, whether they be Filipinos or from any part of the world.” states Filipino Playwright Liza Magtoto. Nona Shepphard, Director and Playwright states, “After all, we are all human and humans have not changed in over four hundred years – we need fresh water and food and shelter; we have the same hopes and dreams and fears whether we are from Elizabethan England or modern Tacloban.” 

 The Tempest Reimagined Gala Premiere

Coming into the theatre, one has many ideas and curiosities as to how Shakespearean language (and tradition) could seamlessly mix with a Filipino consciousness. The play ran for about an hour and a half, and by the end of it, I found myself wonderfully surprised. The play was a metanarrative that brought Shakespeare’s fictional Mediterranean island and the coast of Leyte together through intersecting character stories. There were bits of comedy, chorale sequences, and philosophical ruminations that put forward a message of hope and sympathy without the heaviness of didacticism.

Here, the idea of a tempest, a storm or tragedy, is challenged – how does one move on, how does one cope when faced with true and utter disaster? The stories of Yolanda survivors serve much more than reminders to be grateful for what we have, moreover, they speak about the true nature of our humanity: our stubbornness to survive, our spirit to persevere, and how much strength we truly are capable of.

The Tempest Reimagined opened last 11 November on the occasion of Yolanda’s third year anniversary, and runs until 4 December at PETA Theater in Quezon City. Tickets are available at ticketworld.com.ph.