Among the wonders of institutionalized art, Mulat gets it straight. Legacy is passed on to the young.
So they train them, nourishing and championing the children of stage.
Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas, one of the country’s most historic puppet theater company, continues to champion this vibrant medium through community engagement and hands-on artistry. Their inaugural Mulat Papet PlayLab 2026 Playfest celebrates and honors a rich artistic legacy while training a new generation of puppeteers and storytellers.
Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas
In a world where entertainment is increasingly moving to digital screens, Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas continues to keep the magic of live performance alive right before our eyes. As one of the oldest puppet theater companies in the Philippines, they are renowned for staging the annual Papet Pasyon—a signature senakulo puppet play held every Holy Week at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Furthermore, building on this rich legacy, the company held its first-ever Mulat Papet PlayLab 2026 Playfest on August 2, 2026, hosted at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo.
Honoring the Legacy of Lola Amel
Stepping inside the Teatro Papet Museo offers an immediate glimpse into decades of preserved theater history. Founded in the 1970s by the late National Artist for Theater, Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio (affectionately known as Lola Amel), the institution reflects her deep dedication.
Throughout her lifetime as a playwright, puppeteer, educator, and the Grand Dame of Southeast Asian Children’s Theater, she wrote 44 plays, 26 books, a novel, and 131 short stories.
Additionally, inspired by traditional Japanese, Southeast Asian, and international children’s theater, her work aimed to empower young minds through Asian and Filipino folktales. Today, visitors can see her legacy preserved through workshop memorabilia and rare copies of her anthology, Tatluhan.
As a result, guests enjoy a special preview of the classic museum space before it undergoes renovations for its upcoming 50th founding anniversary next year.
Mulat Papet PlayLab
Meanwhile, the Mulat Papet PlayLab featured three dedicated workshops, with each module tackling a core pillar of puppet theater.
First, award-winning playwright Vlad Gonzales, Director of the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing, led the Playwriting for Puppet Theater session. He guided participants on crafting stories tailored specifically for objects, movement, and imagination.
Next, Aina Ramolete, Associate Artistic Director of Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas, directed the Puppet Making and Animation module. In doing so, she carried forward a third-generation puppetry tradition while introducing modern techniques in design and fabrication.
Finally, the Acting with Puppets session—led by Mahiwaga St. with Adrienne Vergara and 『 s i g l o 』—brought it all together, training performers to bring the newly written stories and handmade puppets to life on stage.
Children of Papet Steps Into Magic!
Ultimately, the culmination of the PlayLab showcased an impressive array of original works crafted by emerging talent. As wooshes of color rolled across the stage, performers stepped out with bare feet and soft socks, instantly pulling everyone into a whimsical, child-friendly bubble.
First, the lineup featured several standalone pieces.
Michelle Collado’s Kaya Mo ‘Yan, Mikmik! explores the classic hesitation children feel when taking risks and having fun. Meanwhile, Banyuhay by John Michael Paneda shows an absurdly overachieving child who suddenly shrinks to the size of a duwende, lightnessly exploring what it feels like to fly as a kid. Next, Ang Maleta ni Julius by Shenn Apilado lingers a bit longer on a deeper topic, sensitively tackling a child’s emotional baggage while caught up in the world of grown-ups.
In addition, playwriting coach Vlad Gonzales curated a special anthology section titled Mga Kuwento ni Lola Nena. This segment compiled three thoughtful works: Ang Lihim ng Buhay by Caitlin Dominique San Juan, Robin Tamad by Leejhon Salta, and Kapag Nagsalita ang Konsensya by Lheana Mae Pastelero.
Finally, rounding out the festival were three more imaginative stories. Si Gong, Ang Guryon ng Pangarap by Aina Santiago tells the story of a child trying new things for an audition while two kites meet. Furthermore, Ang Tito Kong si Tita Sam by Juri Kalyx Cunanan beautifully explores identity and love, while Si Lira at ang Chinese Garter by Danica Pauline Ramos captures the relatable nostalgia of childhood games and the learning of bodies and its strengths during pre-teen years.
Together, all these plays painted a complete picture of what it truly feels like to live in a child’s world.
Reuniting With The Inner Child
When reflecting on writing for puppet theater, scholar playwright Aina Santiago shared her personal struggles with internal pressure while crafting her very first children’s play:
Dahil sinanay ko rin ang sarili kong mag-isip ng mga kumplikadong kwento o magagandang plot twist ba. Dahil sa playlab na ito—hindi naman sa sinasabi kong chill lang. Na-realize ko na hindi kailangang laging ganoon.”
She even adds,
Bukod sa isinasaalang-alang natin ang totoong layunin ng dula—ang magturo ng moral o magbigay-libang sa mga bata dahil nga ito ay pambatang dula—natutunan ko ring mas i-enjoy ang proseso ng pagsusulat.”
Consequently, the Papet PlayLab encouraged Aina to reflect deeply on her younger self to find the story she wanted to share. As a young playwright navigating different mediums, she realized that achieving her dreams required deep self-reflection.
Ultimately, the PlayLab helped her form a stronger connection with her inner self.
Overall, programs like the Mulat Papet PlayLab ensure that the rich tradition of Filipino puppetry does not merely remain behind museum glass. Instead, it continues to grow and inspire. Beyond nurturing young storytellers, the initiative allows writers from diverse backgrounds to express their culture and sense of belonging.
By mounting a vibrant platform for emerging playwrights, animators, and performers, Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas faithfully honors Lola Amel’s vision of empowering young minds.
As the Teatro Papet Museo prepares for its milestone 50th anniversary, this inaugural playfest stands as a promising sign that live, tactile storytelling will continue to touch hearts for generations to come.
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