MARTIN THE LITTLE WOLF” went live on stage at the Star Theater of Star City in Pasay on March 9, 2019.

The play is an adaptation of the book with the same title written by Gionata Bernasconi.

The event brought together the partnership of The Child’s World – A Growing Center, Inc. (TCWAGCI) with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Kiwanis International, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Fondacione ARES (Autismo Risorse e Sviluppo) in Guibiaso, Switzerland. Precious support also came from the Fondazione de Beneficenza of Lugano Kiwanis Club; Varese and Como Kiwanis Club; Club della Divisione Lombardia e Liguria; and Kiwanis Distretto Italia – San Marino; with all the other national Kiwanis Clubs.

Directed by Karl Alexis Jingco, the play also boasts of eleven original songs composed and arranged by Via Tabayoyong, Siena Fabie, and TCWAGCI Kindergarten 2001 graduate Rhys Plopinio.

The story begins one one foggy night when a little wolf named Martin is born.

Soon after, Martin exhibits behavior unlike the other wolves. He liked to stare at the cherries on the tree instead of the moon, neither did he howl, except when a butterfly lands on his tail. The other pups teased him. At first his mother admonished him for being different, but she later grows to accept him, but not the leader of the pack. The pack leaves Martin and his mother.

Martin found a friend in a goose, an outsider.

When the fox comes, the goose imitates Martin, thinking about the way wolves behave. The fox laughs out loud, even mistaking Martin as another goose. Martin’s mom comes to his rescue, revealing his true nature, and drives the fox away.

The leader of the pack returns and finally accepts Martin as one of them after tasting a cherry himself.

The book lists these representations: The wolf is the stereotyped autistic individual. The fog is the confusion surrounding the disorder. The howl is their different communication development. The pack is composed of their classmates, siblings, society’s in/exclusivity. The cherries are the narrow interests and sensorial aspects of the disorder. The butterfly is the sensorial aspect of sensitivity to physical contact. The fox is the shallow person who cannot overcome fear and prejudice. The goose is the expert who overcomes fear and prejudice.

A handful of preschoolers and individuals with special needs of about 60 students showcased their talents in “Martin the Little Wolf” once again in a second staging of the play held on December 12, 2019 at the Music

Museum in San Juan City. It was re-staged with the joint efforts of Kiwanis International and the Makati Tourism Foundation, Inc.

TCWAGCI aims to uplift the lives of individuals with special needs and bring awareness to the public that their talents can be brought out through stage performances.

About forty-four percent of the student population of TCWAGCI are under its scholarship program.

The play “Martin the Little Wolf” was held for the benefit of The Child’s World – A Growing Center Inc. scholars.