7 reasons to see PETA's ‘Tagu-taguan: Nasaan Ang Buwan’ even if you're an adult

These days, everything sounds like doublespeak and statements are always accompanied by the laugh track from the very few who can discern whether or not the threat of murder is a joke.

It's this kind of environment that inadvertently highlights the magic in plainer, more straightforward narratives, like that of Philippine Educational Theater Association's (PETA) "Tagu-taguan: Nasaan Ang Buwan."

Playwright J-mee Katanyag tells a familiar narrative: A crisis has fallen over a magical kingdom, a character of importance needs to be saved, and a light shrinks the darkness as a band of unlikely heroes overcome obstacles.

With the aid of characters from previous productions staged by PETA, Katanyag and the rest of the artistic staff paint an optimistic world where hope is larger than fear and people defy death... with stories.

Stories are magic. The message is told in plain terms and with conviction. Not a joke, not a satire, and nothing is lost in translation. Instead of a debate about what the play meant, it invites the sharing of more stories — immediately proving the point.

Stories make us immortal and turn the darkest days into nothing but a few chapters, because stories also equip us with all the goodies we need — courage, wisdom, tactical advantage — to vanquish our demons.

The show is targeted for kids, but it is the adults who might find themselves overwhelmed with "the feels."

Here are 7 reasons to see "Tagu-taguan: Nasaan Ang Buwan", especially if you feel too old.

1. Jeffrey's solo song will make you say "ME!" Jeffrey (played by John Moran, Vien Alen King, and Eric Dela Cruz) starts singing about his life and how it didn't turn out the way stories did — there are no princesses, the dragons are alive, and "happy ending" feels mythical. Poor Jeffrey. Poor us!

2. It's a good reminder to be kind, especially to yourself. Jeffrey — our man! — lives in the past, worries about the future, and ignores the present. His son Popoy goes on the main journey, but it's Jeffrey transformation that reminds us to be kinder to ourselves and stop stressing about who we are — because every moment is still a chance to be who we can become. Don't dab the tears. Let it flow!

3. There's a really cool monster. Popoy (played by Noel Comia, Albery Silos, and Omar Uddin) is tasked to vanquish "Papaw Halimaw" and when the villain finally comes out, prepare to be amazed. Leeroy New did some great work finding magic in plastic bottles and the lighting by Loren Rivera created an on point scene. The story is strong and so are the technical aspects of the show.

4. Bubbles! There are bubbles! When was the last time you were amazed by bubbles? Oh, that's right. When you saw this show.

5. Weirdos as heroes. Ngo (from "Ngo ang Dagang Patay") has a speech impediment, Princess Mina (from "Ang Tirit ng Ibong Adarna") has split personality disorder, Little Match Girl (from "Hans Christian Andersen Must be Filipino") is... an Englishera. But that didn't stop them from fighting Papaw Halimaw! Courage is found in everyone, not just valiant, ridiculously good-looking princes and princesses.

6. Have a laugh. Don't fight it, you need it. Let that chuckle out and watch it turn into a big laugh. There are plenty of jokes that land perfectly in the show — jokes that you don't even need to think about. You'll find yourself giggling faster than you can answer "Is it wrong to laugh at jokes involving speech impediments and personality disorder?" Some things just trigger a laugh. The world seems frightening lately. Hard to be choosy about what to smile about anymore!

7. PETA at its peak. There's a reason why PETA received the Ramon Magsaysay Award this year. It's their 50th anniversary, which means that they've been tirelessly promoting the magic of stories longer than some of us have been alive. They've carried this torch, lit new ones in many places, and they have no intention of slowing down. They do it for the Popoys. They do it for us, the Jeffreys of the world. Helping the heart of cynics shine again. Making it not baduy to have feelings. — LA/KVD, GMA News

"Tagu-taguan: Nasaan Ang Buwan" runs from August 18 to 27 at the PETA Theater Center, Quezon City and September 1 to 3 at the Star Theater, Manila. Call PETA +632 7256344 or Ticketworld +632 8919999.