People v. Dela Cruz Takes Online Behavior to Court at The Corner Studio

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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PILATO - a new musical, takes stage this April at PETA

ANO BA ANG KATOTOHANAN: An all-original Filipino musical all set to unveil a new perspective on the greatest story ever told

In an era where misinformation spreads faster than light and truth seems to wear many faces, the question asked over 2,000 years ago by one of the most divisive persons in history still reverberates with haunting relevance: “Ano ba ang katotohanan?” This serves as the heartbeat of Pilato, an all-original Filipino musical set to captivate audiences this April at the PETA Theater Center.

With its daring perspective and poignant relevance, the production revisits the so-called “greatest story ever told”--the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ--through the eyes of Pontius Pilate, a man caught at the crossroads of power, faith, and duty.

Jerome Ferguson (Pilato) and Onyl Torres (Josepo)

The musical traces Pilato’s journey from his early ambitions in Rome to his appointment as prefect of Judea, a province brimming with religious and political unrest. There, Pilato’s every decision is scrutinized by a constellation of figures: the enigmatic historiographer, Josepo; the calculating high priest, Caiaphas; his wise and foreboding wife, Procla; and Hesus, a mysterious and magnetic presence rumored to be the King of the Jews.

Jerome Ferguson (Pilato), Jeremy Manite (Caiaphas), and Noel Rayos (Hesus)

In a time when Holy Week invites reflection and as the country approaches the critical 2025 elections, Pilato emerges as a vital meditation on truth in all its complexity.

Through haunting melodies and powerful storytelling, it challenges us to confront the choices we make as individuals and as a society.

“Information comes to us in countless forms and modes. But how do we sift through the chaos to uncover the truth? Would we even recognize the truth if we meet it face-to-face?” shares writer-director Eldrin Veloso. “Essentially, that is what the play hopes to put out there--a journey that dares to unravel the mystery of truth’s many faces. With our society on the brink of a post-truth era, I believe this is a story that demands to be told, now more than ever.”

With a cast of seasoned musical theater artists and gifted newcomers, Pilato offers an emotional and intellectual journey unlike any other. It is a poignant reminder that even after two millennia, the search for truth remains both our greatest burden and our ultimate salvation.

This marks the inaugural theatrical venture of The Corner Studio, a creative agency renowned for weaving compelling narratives through its expertise in branding, production, marketing, and design. Now, it steps boldly onto the stage, bringing its storytelling vision to life in a new dimension.

Don’t miss Pilato on April 4 at 8pm for its world premiere and on April 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 at 3pm and 8pm, at the PETA Theater Center.

Tickets are now available at pilato.helixpay.com.

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