Heroes are untouchable, lofty, and far beyond our reach. Monuments are built for them, with their faces carved on marble or limestone. They are inside our museums, framed neatly under their preserved robes and ancient ornaments.

But how do you really spot a hero? Does heroism really require the death of a man or a suffering of a nation? Aren’t small deeds of goodness and simple gestures of kindness and goodwill, acts of heroism too?

In Philippine Educational Theater Association’s production of Batang Rizal, written by Christine Bellen and directed by Dudz Teraña, two children–Pepito, a young boy from the present, and Pepe, the young Jose Rizal–explore and revisit the notions of heroism and love of country from the point of view of a child. They traverse time and history to unravel a child’s understanding of what is truly heroic and selfless.

And in their journey, they spot many heroes. . .  Men, women, and children alike.

Batang Rizal is now on its second year alongside Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang. Shows are on September 19-21, 26-28, 2008 (3 p.m.) and October 3-5, 10-12, 2008 (10 a.m). For ticket inquiries and reservations, please call PETA Marketing and Public Relations at 4100821/ 7256244 or 0927-7031437, or e-mail us at petampro@yahoo.com