Debbie L. Tan is a playwright/creative writer from QC, Philippines. She's a freelance writer and editor. Debbie's play Jade Turtle Beauty is selected as Semi-Finalist in the SES International Playwriting Prize of 2016. Nationally, she has won two Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for her one-act plays in 2007 and in 2008. Her play Fate's Line is published under a grant of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Several of her plays have been produced in CCP and in some schools for a few years. Debbie was a member of the International Centre for Women Playwrights and had been its Board Member for two years.
ABOUT THE PLAYThe play Shadow People is about a dire fictional future when current real tensions in the West Philippine Seas results in a Philippine occupation by two powerful authoritarian-run countries. The intellectual who is jailed and guarded by her former student hopes to reach her/his individuality and humanity.

     ~ Excerpt published by permission, all rights held by the playwright.
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                E98E0What is your name? The name in your heart. Don't let them take your heart away.                SHADOW 1You must remember.                GUARDI told you. I'm Guard now. If you can't be persuaded to work then, stay here. Don't expect me to care if you suffer.

E98E0 and SHADOW 1 crouch down low. GUARD leaves and enters with G64E5. 

                GUARD            (exaggerates loudly)Go. Go. Go inside, Number G64E5. Hard-headed, annoying people should stay in the same cell. I'm sure you'll kill each other in no time.

GUARD laughs loudly as they throw a baton, a taser and a key on the floor. GUARD exits. E98E0 and G64E5 grab the things from the floor. G64E5 remains on the floor.

                E98E 

(stands with what she grabbed, in low tones)

Quiet. We will wait for the right time.                G64E5I don't trust you.                E98E0Trust is the first thing that they killed in us. The next is to fight each other.                G64E5Are you a spy? Trying to catch me in my most vulnerable moment?

SHADOW 1 keeps pulling something off the ground. SHADOW 2 crawls on the ground. SHADOW 1 reaches out her hand. 

                E98E0I am not a spy. I am a prisoner, most likely, to be killed if I don't change the whole history of the Philippines and eventually, the world.

SHADOW 2 reaches out her hand. SHADOW 1 clutches it and slowly pulls SHADOW 2 up. 

                G64E5           (stands clutching what they grabbed)I was an advertising director. Award-winning, I might add. They want me to make propaganda videos highlighting the US King approving of the military parade of fighterjets, tanks, armory...f@#$^*% sh@#! 

(in forceful whisper)

I hate it! Never.

SHADOW 1 and SHADOW 2 shaking hands and very friendly gestures. 

                E98E0I feel the same way.           (looks at items in hand)I thought this is the end for me. But maybe there is some hope.                G64E5Why did that guard...                E98E0They knew me as their former teacher. They knew the way I taught — with passion and heart. I encouraged their individuality.                G64E5 

But maybe they really want us to kill each other. 

                E98E0 

No. I do not believe that. There is this key.

                SHADOW 1Plus, I couldn't kill anyone.                G64E5Then, maybe there's hope.                SHADOW 2We have to be wise. Plan.                G64E5We'll die trying, won't we?                E98E0I was prepared to die before you came. Now, I'm prepared to live and fight.                G64E5Let's talk strategy. We might've to stay here for awhile until we know our moves.                E98E0Agreed.

Sounds of footsteps. Sounds of protesting voices.

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