YATTA, A History
From November 18-20, in 2005, a group of high school and college students from various schools participated in a 3-day theater workshop that focused on the issue of child trafficking for sexual purposes. It was part of a nationwide campaign organized by ECPAT (End Child Pornography, Prostitution and Trafficking) and PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). The thirty workshop participants created a public performance on child trafficking on December 9th of the same year.
The group of young artists, mostly students at the Negros Oriental State University, Silliman University, Foundation University and other high schools, met on December 18, 2005 and decided formally to set up the first youth theater organization in Dumaguete. This organization aims to raise awareness on various issues, specifically children and young people’s rights, through theater performances and training. The acronym YATTA was decided on. YATTA stands for Youth Advocates Through Theatre Arts.
With no funding or institutional support, YATTA borrowed spaces and produced several pieces during its first year. Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE), a local community organization in Dumaguete, commissioned the group to produce an “informance”, an educational and informative performance, on issues of rape, domestic violence, trafficking, and child abuse.
YATTA performed a variety of “informances”in schools, barangays, churches, and plazas, reaching more than 5,000 audiences in a year. This cultural campaign to end violence against women and children placed YATTA within the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations awarded by the National Youth Commission and the office of Senator Francis Pangilinan in 2008.
In 2009, YATTA had been active for three years and had a growing population of participants. Several adult mentors and leaders from the fields of media, arts, local government and civil society were selected to form the YATTA Board of Trustees.YATTA was formally SEC-registered (The Philippines Security and Exchange Commission.) in November 2009. In 2010, YATTA also received it’s first grant from the Consuelo Foundation and continues to be a recipient of the foundations generosity each year.
YATTA continues to be a pillar in the community of Dumaguete and is growing in recognition across Negros Oriental and the greater Philippines. YATTA fosters community and global partnerships to proceed with the progressive work of these young people.