Twelve new scripts promising a multifaceted exploration of human experience
Ever been the first to hear a friend’s amazing song? Virgin Labfest is like that for plays.
VLF provides a fertile ground for nascent works. Here, playwrights can experiment, audiences witness the birth of something new, and together, they celebrate the untamed beauty of a story as it takes its first steps toward becoming a legend.
This year, VLF celebrates its 19th edition. With 12 new scripts ready to burst (pintog) onstage, the fest rolls out the red carpet for narratives that delve into the complex layers of human experience.
Vengeance of the Gods by Hans Pieter Arao centers on a quest for justice triggered by a public scandal, while Lino Balmes’s Ningas follows a woman’s pursuit of a seemingly simple favor – a name.
Exploring contemporary themes, Rick Patriarca’s Love on the Brain navigates the complexities of modern gay dating in the face of HIV diagnosis. Joshua Lim So exposes a clandestine hospital scheme in Pagkapit sa Hangin, while Ara Jenika Vinzon’s Lipstick at Pulbura narrates the emotional journey of a former guerrilla fighter seeking closure.
Chesie Galvez-Cariño’s The Foxtrot intricately explores relationships through the lens of dance, while Elise Santos’s Sa Babaeng Lahat delves into the intersection of religion, sexuality, and self-discovery.
Further enriching the festival’s diverse topics, Dustin Celestino’s Ang Munting Liwanag sa Madilim na Sulok ng Serbeserya sa Maynila examines love and privilege in a beer house setting, and Neil Azcuna’s Si Hesus na’A sa U.S. revisits past relationships amidst aspirations for a new life in the United States.
Sentenaryo by Herlyn Alegre brings a family together to celebrate a centenarian’s birthday, while Dip Mariposque’s The Divine Family confronts intricate dynamics amid a pandemic. Jhudiel Clare Sosa’s Identite examines the complexities of a troubled mother-daughter relationship.
In addition to the new works, returning plays from VLF 18 offer insightful perspectives on Philippine society, including Andrew Estacio’s Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol, Dingdong Novenario’s Dominador Gonzales: National Artist, and Zheg Arban’s Room 209.
The festival also presents staged readings of selected submissions, playwrights’ fairs, a writing fellowship program, theater talks, and a dramaturgy fellowship exhibit, providing a comprehensive platform for theater enthusiasts and professionals alike.
VLF 19: Pintog will run from June 12 to 30 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater), with shows scheduled at 2:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.
For more details on the schedule and ticket prices, visit the official social media accounts of CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Writers’ Bloc on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.