Theatergoer Criticizes PETA for Inconsistent Enforcement of Rules
B DELGADO – A theater enthusiast expressed her disappointment with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) for allegedly allowing a celebrity and friends to use their laptops and cellphones during a performance. Delgado had eagerly anticipated watching “One More Chance” due to her fondness for Ben & Ben and the show itself. She bought tickets for herself and her family and friends well in advance, excitedly sharing the news on social media.
However, her experience took a downturn during Act 2 of the show. Delgado’s enjoyment was disrupted by the bright screens of two phones and a laptop used by the celebrity group seated in the house seats. Despite an usher being nearby, no action was taken to stop the distraction until Delgado herself intervened by tapping the group on the shoulder. The situation was exacerbated when one of the individuals in the group responded with a hostile glare.
Delgado was particularly frustrated by what she perceived as PETA’s double standards in enforcing theater etiquette. She noted that ushers are typically quick to stop non-celebrities from using gadgets, yet they appeared indifferent to the celebrity group’s behavior. This inconsistency left her feeling neglected and disrespected as a paying audience member. She emphasized that she attended the show to enjoy the performance, not to be distracted by glowing screens.
To highlight the issue, Delgado shared a photo taken when the house lights were on, illustrating the brightness of the gadgets’ screens. She described the incident as her worst theater experience ever and directed her criticism towards PETA’s ushers, who she felt failed in their duty to maintain a distraction-free environment for the audience.
In response to Delgado’s complaint, PETA issued an apology. The theater association acknowledged the oversight and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused. PETA assured Delgado that they were investigating the matter and would take appropriate actions to prevent such incidents in the future. As a gesture of goodwill, PETA offered Delgado a complimentary ticket to ensure she could properly enjoy the show in the future.
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