‘Whatcha Saying?’ stage play brings Deaf culture, FSL to Manila and La Union

New stage adaptation brings Deaf culture and Filipino Sign Language to theatergoers across two cities.

The acclaimed graphic novel “Whatcha Saying?” by Deaf artist CJ Reynaldo is getting a live theatrical adaptation this November, offering hearing and hard-of-hearing audiences an engaging introduction to Deaf culture and Filipino Sign Language (FSL).

In a recent social media announcement, Apothecary Productions and its creators said the one-act stage adaptation “brings to life a story about communication, friendship, Deaf culture, and the many ways we learn to understand one another.”

Originally published by Komiket, the comic book was named a finalist in the 39th National Book Awards. It “uses humor to teach Filipino Sign Language (FSL) and share the daily realities of navigating a hearing world.”

The story follows CJ, a Deaf freshman navigating a college campus where most people can hear. As he befriends classmates Liam and Sarah, the trio finds creative ways to bridge their communication gap, embarking on a heartwarming and humorous journey of friendship, love, and identity. Their story shows how genuine connections can transcend language barriers.

Bringing the comic’s panels to the stage, the theater company says the production aims to “bridge communities and celebrate Deaf culture through a theatrical experience.”

The show opens at the Thames International Auditorium in Quezon City from November 4 to 7, with tickets priced at P800.

The production then heads north to the Lorma Colleges AVR in San Fernando, La Union, for a run from November 14 to 16. Tickets cost P500. Tickets for both venues are available through the official Ticketnation websites.

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