After the successful maiden run of Pilato, The Corner Studio returns with a timely and thought-provoking new production titled People v. Dela Cruz, a one-act satirical play that puts modern online behavior on trial. Opening on January 16, 2026, the production will be staged at The Corner Studio’s intimate creative space, continuing the company’s commitment to original, socially relevant Filipino storytelling.
Framed as the Philippines’ first-ever jury case onstage, People v. Dela Cruz examines how everyday Filipinos engage with morality, judgment, and accountability in the digital age. Through humor and incisive social commentary, the play explores the impact of online participation—from call-outs and cancellations to silence and performative virtue—asking where responsibility truly lies when opinions are amplified by screens and algorithms.
The story unfolds inside a mock courtroom where the accused, Dela Cruz, represents the “everyday Filipino” suddenly thrust into public scrutiny. Surrounding the case is a jury made up of distinct personalities that mirror familiar online archetypes: the rule-follower who trusts systems without question, the boundary-pusher who thrives on disruption, the moral enforcer quick to condemn, the advocate torn between empathy and principle, the believer anchored in faith, and the viral poster whose single action ignites the entire controversy. Together, they form a chaotic yet uncomfortably familiar reflection of today’s digital public square.
In a message from the creative team, the director shares that after Pilato, the company felt compelled to continue examining contemporary Filipino behavior through satire. People v. Dela Cruz was conceived as a response to how easily judgment is passed online, and how rarely people pause to reflect on their role in shaping narratives that affect real lives. By staging the play in an intimate venue, the production invites audiences to feel like active participants rather than passive observers.
Running as a one-act play, People v. Dela Cruz promises a fast-paced, character-driven experience that balances comedy with critique. It challenges viewers not only to laugh, but to question how they engage in digital conversations—and whether they, too, belong in the jury box.
People v. Dela Cruz begins its run on January 16, 2026 at The Corner Studio. Tickets are available at tcs.helixpay.ph.
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