Amid Performative Times, ‘Pinocchio’ Teaches How To Be Real
In the age of social media, Ephesus Teatron Group brings ‘Pinocchio’ to life, retelling the classic tale of dreams, identity, and compassion for the newer generation.
Words Marc Nathaniel Servo
Photo courtesy of Ephesus Theatron Group
September 17, 2026
In a world where authenticity is curated and performed online, the challenge for parents is to shape children who remain real against the pressure of becoming an idealized version of themselves.
In Ephesus Teatron Group’s musical retelling of the fairytale, Pinocchio pierces the ironic crux of legitimacy—that in the transformation of a wooden puppet to a real boy, becoming “real” is not merely a matter of appearance, but of character, integrity and love.
To be staged on October 9, 10, and 11, 2026 at the Activity Center, 2nd Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Carlo Collodi’s ‘Pinocchio’ is set to charm its audience with vibrant choreography, beautiful music, amazing costumes, and a committed group of artists passionate in performing arts.
When a puppet dreams
Led by seasoned musical theater artist and director Sweet Samaniego, the heartwarming feel as her passionate direction shape the classic tale of realness into a celebration of growth, resilience, and identity.
Brie Mosquito plays the title role of Pinocchio, joined by an accomplished theater performers, including Red Nuestro as Geppetto; Sweet Buchanan as the Blue Fairy; Sheila Gamo as Angelina; Bhen Espina as Antonio; Nazer Salcedo as the Coachman; and Dusty Suarez as The Coachman, Geppetto, and the Town’s People.
Young artists and emerging talents are also given the spotlight to perform in accordance with Ephesus Teatron Group’s commitment to nurturing new artists for the theater community.
Together, the cast wraps wisdom in entertainment, carrying the timeless lesson of being courageous, honest, responsible, and compassionate in a world filled with distractions, pressure, and difficult choices.
Pinocchio struggles with the very same problems the youth is facing today: misinformation, fake news, catfishing, and the constant pressure to seek approval through likes and following.
So in this age of social media where people present an idealized mirror of their own, Pinocchio serves as a story of being authentic and responsible as a digital citizen in the modern world.
That what makes a person real comes from within.
After all, Ephesus Teatron Group believes that theater is more than performance—it is a vehicle for education, inspiration, and community building.
Through productions such as Pinocchio, the company continues to demonstrate how the arts can spark imagination while reinforcing values that help shape responsible and caring individuals.
Their choice for the venue also resonates with the same, bold idea of turning theater into something more communal.
Opening up to a wider community
For the team, staging Pinocchio at Ayala Malls Feliz helps make the production accessible to families and communities nearby. Theater audiences no longer have to take the long route into central business districts as they bring it into the more familiar and convenient community space.
With inclusivity in mind, Ephesus Teatron Group believes that presenting Pinocchio in a shopping mall tears down barriers often associated with theater—the distance, the unfamiliarity, and the perceived exclusivity.
They selected Ayala Malls Feliz particularly because of the family-oriented values it represents: that aligns with the company and Pinocchio’s story: honesty, kindness, courage, responsibility, and perseverance.
In addition, the location is the perfect spot for emerging artists to showcase their talents. The experience makes for a much more humane connection with the audience who are likely to be students, families, local organizations, and neighboring communities.
With the dissolution of the former barriers to theater, the production becomes a shared cultural experience, one that both the artists and viewers could cherish together as they sing and dance to the story of Pinocchio.
