MANILA, Philippines?When we were told last Sunday, Aug. 3, that the Peta Theater in Quezon City had been bombed, we were thrown for a loop. Not only have we had links with the theater group since its inception, but we had also watched a show (?Noli at Fili, Dekada 2000?) at the theater just two days before.

In addition, we worried about the safety of cast, staff and audience?so, we were most relieved to later learn that the ?bomb? (a grenade, actually) had exploded early in the morning.

After our fears had subsided, we wondered why Peta?s theater had been targeted for the punitive action. Were some quarters unhappy about the theater group?s activities in general, or about the play currently being performed, in particular?

The fact that the grenade had exploded early in the morning indicated that it was meant not to inflict actual harm, but to be a warning. Instructively, Peta chose to go on with the performances of the play slated later that day.

Should the Peta theater blast be dismissed as an aberration, or is it a sign of more assaults to come on the theater and arts communities? Filipino artists and arts organizations should take a stand on this issue, denouncing this and other assaults on free and untrammeled artistic expression. Others may disagree with what artists are expressing and communicating, but they have no right to resort to violence to silence them.

To get to the bottom of the explosion, we asked around and got another possible take on the violent incident: A source speculated that the reason for the explosion may not have been political, but could have something to do with turf or security issues.

Whatever the motive may have been for the blast, it didn?t achieve its objective of intimidation: The performances scheduled that day went on, and another source reported that the audience was much bigger than usual, filling Peta?s theater to capacity?and then some.

That?s the spirit, theater people and theater lovers: Keep showing that you?re made of sterner stuff and won?t be cowed into submission, and sowers of fear and terror will be psychologically stumped.

Pete Roa lovingly remembered

Pete Roa will be honored today, on the occasion of the first anniversary of his passing: The telecaster and well-loved family man will be fondly remembered by his widow, Boots, their children, and their many relatives and media colleagues.

The event will be held at the Remembering Chapel of the St. Therese Shrine, Villamor Airbase, Pasay City at 6 p.m. Highlights include a Mass, reception and musical tribute.

The occasion will also raise funds for the Pete Roa Integrated Media Endeavors (PRIME) Foundation. The foundation carries out Pete?s expressed wishes: Continuing media education for broadcast journalists; helping stroke victims, and the propagation of devotion to St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.

To achieve these objectives, Prime has partnered with the KBP to conduct a quarterly lecture series for broadcast journalists; produced a play on the life of Padre Pio at Tiendesitas, and extended financial assistance to Mowelfund for the benefit of its stroke patient-beneficiaries.

Pete must be very happy about these successful initiatives to keep his memory and mission alive even after his passing a year ago.

Boots Anson-Roa is the president of the Prime Foundation, and its board of directors is made up of Dr. Abdias Aquino, Bibsy Carballo, Jose Mari Chan, Atty. Rafael Evangelista, Fred dela Rosa, Marichu VP Maceda, Boots, Ed Roa and this writer. (Call 928-6815.)