Corner Studio: Review of PASIYA: A TWIN BILL: Divisive Decisions in Democracy

June 13, 2026

The Corner Studio's maiden production was the Lenten musical "Pilato," about the passion of Jesus told through the eyes of Pilate. This was held at the PETA Theater in April 2025. Its second show was a one-act play " People v. Dela Cruz," about the first murder trial decided by a 6-man jury in the Philippines. It was held right in their home office in the heart of Sta. Mesa, Manila, just this January. Both shows were written and directed by Eldrin Veloso. 

Their latest show is called "PASIYA," a Filipino word that means "decision." This is a twin bill of two one-act plays both tackling that tricky theme. It includes a re-run of "People v. Dela Cruz", together with the premiere of Veloso's newest work "Every Male and Female." This is being held in the home office of their sponsor Headroom CDV, which is located in the heart of Sta. Ana, Manila. Headroom CDV an architectural design first, but it has an advocacy to avidly support thought-provoking local theater, as espoused by its main architect Kevin Nieves. 

The first play "Every Male or Female" is set during the American occupation. Women's suffrage had been frowned upon as it supposedly endangered family values. However, in 1933, a law was finally passed allowing Filipino women to vote. However in the first instance that they could exercise this right -- the 1935 referendum to ratify the constitution of the  Philippine Commonwealth -- Filipino women would again lose their right of suffrage again upon its ratification, until it can be restored by another amendment in the future. 

This ironic quandary of choosing to advance the quest for independence versus losing the right to vote was the topic of bitter arguments among three female friends, all of whom were members of an organization that fought for women's rights. It was referendum day, and chapter head Hilda (Rain de Jesus) and her daughter Felisa (Vea Novona) were preparing for their group's meeting. School teacher Esperanza and spunky spinster Pacita (Carla Martinez) both came for a visit that day to talk about the plebiscite. 

The all-female ensemble of four held us enthralled in their passionate discussions about the vital political and personal issues. From the minor comical role I've seen her from before, Rain de Jesus was totally transformed here as Hilda, caught between her duties as women's leader and as mother. Althea Aruta's Esperanza was an idealistic educator here, excited to exercise her vote for the future of the country. Vea Novona's Felisa represented the youth who were forced to obey their elders despite their dissenting opinions. Veteran actress-singer Carla Martinez was a riveting presence as Pacita, with her dry wit and strong resolve.

After a 15 minute intermission, the second one-act play "People v Dela Cruz" was presented. As mentioned, this play brought us into the jury deliberation room where the six jurors had been sequestered to try to come up with a unanimous decision if the accused Dela Cruz was guilty of murdering a policeman in a drug raid, or not. I had already seen and reviewed (LINK) this last January. It was very good to watch it again, and gain more insights from the points raised. 

Its hard-hitting, heatedly argumentative script remained essentially as is. The actors playing the jurors remains intact, with only one juror re-cast: Emlyn Olfindo-Santos as flighty matron Marian, Aaron Dioquino as opinionated student leader Lean, Pauline Arejola as spoiled Gen Z girl, Althea Aruta as school teacher Katniss and J.P. Basco as foreman, paralegal Orion.

As this scenario was set in year 2032, the jury was now gathered around a functioning interactive Panasonic Smart Table. Two actors return to stage from the previous play. Rain de Jesus' Marshall was more like an android now, more ominous, in keeping with the high-tech vibe. Althea Aruta is back as another teacher character with a compassionate sense of justice.  Writer-director Eldrin Veloso adds actor to his credentials, very convincing in his antagonistic Mayor Rico, with an abrasive manner and gruff voice so far apart from his easygoing off-stage demeanor. 

The whole cast takes a bow: Martinez, Novoña, De Jesus, Aruta, Veloso, Dioquino, Basco (Santos and Arejola not seen)

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PASIYA runs from June 12 to 21, 2026, at Headroom CDV, located in 2611 Lamayan, Sta. Ana, Manila. Show times are at 7:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, with 2:30 PM matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. You can buy tickets, priced at P1500 each, at this LINK or on site.