MANILA, Philippines - Bless the beasts and the children for on this world they have no voice.

So goes the song.

In theater, however, they are given voices, colorful and many.

Children’s theater—about, for, and by children—has always been a fascinating experience.

Original Filipino plays like “Juan Tamban,” “Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio”, as well as adapted children's plays in English like “Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast” are just some of the few local productions that deal with children and the exploits they face.

Mostly, these illustrate the sublime sensibilities of kids in relation to grown-ups, particularly the curiosity they display as they seek answers to their endless questions.

Kids carry with them raw intelligence and the innocence of cherubs, however playful, that make them more indulging, lovable and huggable.

Here comes the first Asian Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore’s “The Post Office,” adapted from his original Bengali language play “Dak Ghar” by Indian dramaturge Rustom Bharucha and translated and adapted into Filipino by dramatist Rody Vera, which speaks largely of a child’s pursuit of happiness in the face of his failing health.

Bembol Roco and child actor Martin de los Santos in a scene in "Ang Post Office."

"Ang Post Office" is being staged by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) which imported the Asian masterpiece to fuse with another Asian theater sensibility.

It’s unusual that Philippine theater borrows materials from neighboring Asian countries. Localizing them makes for a vicarious interaction with the brown race if only on stage.

A child's wish

“Ang Post Office” tells of Abel (Martin de los Santos alternating with Abner Delina), originally named Amal in the Indian texts, a sick child adopted by Mang Pedring (Bembol Roco) who doesn’t allow him to leave the house because of his ailment. Abel is medically treated by a doctor who is pessimistic of the young boy’s health situation but diagnoses, prescribes and gives him medicines him just the same.

Abel comes across people who pass by his house--the Magtataho, Tanod, neighboring kids, Poldo, Taong Banal, Celia, Hepe, Mensahero, among others.

No matter how sick and young he is, Abel wants to live fully and relevantly.

All of them have repartee with Abel about life, the sense of love, hate and their excesses, and the mystery that lies beyond the mountain visible from the house.

But his most cherished wish is to be able to receive a letter from the King, which shows his childlike wonder of all things Indian, and perhaps in more ways than one, Filipino, as it is an opportunity to communicate with the most powerful man on earth--a near impossible reality.

While Abel is on his sickbed, a letter is read to him supposedly from the King which he doesn’t fully listen to because he has already fallen in deep sleep, his eternal rest.

Abel, as the protagonist, is depicted as a philosophical mouthpiece of the author and the translator and adaptor in his quest for meaning and the relation of life and death.

This scene gives viewers the goose bumps as Abel's wit and humor show in his interaction with adults and fellow kids.

Martin de los Santos who played Abel during the press night (alternating with Abner Delina, Jr. in the regular run) was introspective and charming as an inquisitive kid who wants all his queries answered by the characters who pass by his house.

Bembol Roco as Mang Pedring, the caretaker of Abel, was a welcome treat in his homecoming at PETA after many years of not acting in theater.

Of course, Bodjie Pascua who took on two characters, Poldo and Taong Banal, was perfect for his interchanging roles.

The ensemble, again and again, was comprised of responsible actors.

Gardy Labad as the overall director navigates the whole production with ease and mastery.

The Kilyawan Choir supplies the music with mime, and shows utmost sensitivity. The Loboc Children’s Choir, the pride of Bohol, will take their turn in September.

"Ang Post Office" will be shown at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the following dates: August 27, 28, 29, September 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 2010 at the PETA Theater Center, 5 Eynard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. For details, visit http://www.petatheater.com/performancesinfo/postoffice.html.