Philippine university theater groups occupy a significant role in the theatrical life of this island country thanks to the quality and variety of their productions. The drama groups at the Jesuit Ateneo de Manila University distinguish themselves in particular by maintaining close ties with these important sites of theatrical creation, PETA and CCP. They contribute both to the creation of a Philippine dramatic esthetic and to political and social reflection. In this private university, which educates the country’s elite, theater has held an important position for many years. The university is in fact less influenced by an evangelical tradition because of its commitment to different aspects of theater education. Their dramatic practices provide access to better understand, in particular, the evolution of their pedagogical approaches and the status of the Philippine languages and dialects. Their approach to theater demonstrates how research in literature, anthropology, sociology and ethnography stimulates dramatic creation. It also allows the nation to explore its long history in order to better understand its identity even at a time of rampant globalization.