A fascinating series of shows got to engage audiences from all over as Sari-Sali Portal Café, an interactive ‘cafe-in-a-theater’ show created by Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Kyoto-based theater group BRDG, had a limited 5-show run from December 6-8, 2024, at the PETA Theater Center, Quezon City.
The Sari-Sali portal café was directed by Ian Segarra and Keiko Yamaguchi, and written by J-mee Katanyag. It drew inspiration from Japan’s Hokkori Café, a warm and welcoming communal hub where people from diverse backgrounds can enjoy a great meal while engaging with one another. Sari-Sali portal café features four Filipino and Japanese characters: Ayaka an introverted artist (Hitomi Nagasu), Mayumi, a Filipino music teacher (Zoe Damag), Kaloy, a former political activist (Julio Garcia), and Yoshi (Hiroyuki Kozaka) a part-time worker in the cafe.
Featuring the inclusive atmosphere of a community café translated to the unique production design by Ralph Lumbres, which integrated the audience as part of the scenes. The audience, as a collective character, represents the diverse voices and experiences that enrich the Sari-Sali café, emphasizing the play’s themes of belonging, connection, and multiculturalism. Sari-Sali portal café celebrates the power of community through music, dance, theater, and food from different cultures.
The show was organized by The Japan Foundation, Manila, co-organized by Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Kyoto-based theater group BRDG. The work in progress underwent development during the Artist in Residence program at the Kinosaki International Arts Center in Japan in November 2023.
Many thanks to The Japan Foundation Manila for having us as their media partner for this event. Our thanks as well to our photographer Marivic for covering the event for us.
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