Ang Balyena, a stage play that delves into the experience of a male survivor navigating life after sexual assault, will be staged at the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde Design + Arts Theater starting 19 July.

The two-hour production follows Jonah at the peak of his career — respected, accomplished, and seemingly in control. But during a quiet celebration among loved ones, unresolved tensions and unspoken histories begin to resurface.

The narrative shifts between past and present, tracing Jonah’s evolution from a passionate, talented boy to a man shaped by silence, pressure and trauma.

Produced by Aninag Theatre, a student-led theater company from the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Arts, Culture, and Performance (SACP), Ang Balyena explores deep, often unspoken truths.

“Jonah explores victimhood, all while grappling with the impact of toxic Filipino masculinity,” the organizers shared.

The trauma is visualized through the metaphor of an all-consuming, ever-pursuing whale — along with the imagery of water, symbolizing isolation and vastness. The production promises rich design elements — from color and lighting to sound and movement.

“It was important to make the story culturally identifiable as Filipino — not just through setting and language, but through social dynamics and shared experiences of the typical Pinoy upbringing,” they explained. “We wanted every element of the piece to reflect not only Jonah’s story, but also a broader commentary on contemporary Filipino society.”

The glaring lack of media, resources, and open discourse on Filipino male sexual assault survivors inspired the students to break the silence and confront the stigma, even embedding themes of censorship into the narrative itself.

“One of our main goals — with both the production and our research — is to contribute to the limited media landscape around this issue,” the group said.

Ang Balyena is directed by theater artist and cultural worker Joy delos Santos, and written by Jay Crisostomo VI, an awardee of the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. It will premiere 19 July at 1 p.m., followed by weekday performances from 21 to 25 July at 6 p.m., at the Fifth Floor Theater of the Benilde Design + Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila. Tickets are priced at P400 for general admission, P320 for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens, and P350 for Benildeans. A gala performance is scheduled for 26 July at 1 p.m., with P500 tickets inclusive of free merchandise from Aninag Theatre. Reserve your tickets via tinyurl.com/AngBalyena. For more updates, visit facebook.com/aninagtheatree.