So, what’s new with this year’s Virgin Labfest, the country’s biggest theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays?
A lot, apparently.
Established in 2005, the theater festival turns 18 this year. It’s slated from June 7 to 25, at its brand-new home, the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater).
The festival returned last year with onstage performances, following two online editions in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, VLF spearheaded a new way of presenting and staging live theater using modern technology. In 2021, the festival prioritized the educational components, with flashbacks of previous plays.
For 2023, a new chapter unfolds with 12 new “virgin” plays, categorized into four thematic sets – Adulting 101 (Set A), REBELasyon (Set B), Y.O.LO. (Set C) and Muwang (Set D).
Set A: Adulting 101 features O by Raymund Barcelon, to be directed by Missy Maramara; Regine: The Fairy Gaymother by Chuck D. Smith collaborating with director Mark Daniel Dalacat, and 10 To Midnight by playwright Juliene Mendoza and director Sarah Facuri.
Set B: REBELasyon is composed of Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol by playwright Andrew Estacio and director Nazer Salcedo; Dominador Gonzales: National Artist by playwright Dingdong Novenario and director George De Jesus; and Tuloy Ang Palaba by playwright Layeta Bucoy and director Tuxqs Rutaquio.
Set C: Y.O.L.O. brings to the stage Room 209 by playwright Zheg Arban to be directed by Delphine Buencamino; Hukay by playwright Ophalain Margaux Serrano and director Melvin Lee; and Mga Halimaw Rin Kami by playwright Jules Pamisa and director Tat Soriano.
Plays in Set D: Muwang are: Hawaii, Here We Come! by playwright Shenn Apilado, directed by Mark Mirando; O’Donnell by playwright Jerry O’Hara and director Issa Manalo Lopez; and Ang Tuyom by playwright Marjay Manalastas and director Gio Potes.
Three plays from the 2022 edition of the theater festival will be revisited in Set E: Hinog, comprised of Nay May Dala Akong Pansit by playwright Juan Ekis and director Karl Jingco; Punks Not Dead by playwright Andrew Bonifacio Clete and director Roobak Valle, and Fermata by playwright Dustin Celestino and director Antonette Go-Yadao.
After three years, the staged readings make a comeback. There will be back-to-basics reading performances of selected scripts from the VLF18 submissions. For Staged Reading Set 1, My Lover’s Presscon by playwright Ross Manicad and director Katreen Dela Cruz back-to-back with Kamay Ng Orasan by playwright Marc Noesis Marquez and director Eljay Castro Deldoc.
Set 2 of Staged Readings features Sino Ang Pumatay Kay Mr. Masangkay? by playwright U Z. Eliserio and director Rolando T. Inocencio, and TBT: Takbo, Batang Tondo from playwright Mikaella Yoj B. Sanchez and director Chic San Agustin.
Of course, the educational components remain. Theater Talks features speakers on topics of interest to theater actors, practitioners, and enthusiasts. Young and veteran playwrights share their experiences and writing journey at Playwrights’ Fair. The Staged Readings, Theater Talks, and Playwrights’ Fair are free to the public and will be held at the VLF Lounge in the TIG Basement.
Following the theme “Hitik,” VLF fans can expect new and exciting collaborations with veteran and virgin directors, designers, and actors, as well as brave new works overflowing with Filipino sensibilities and creativity.
With festival directors Tess Jamias and Marco Viaña, VLF is a collaborative project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, The Writer’s Bloc, and Tanghalang Pilipino.
For tickets and other inquiries, get in touch with the CCP Box Office at salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Follow the official CCP, VLF, Writer’s Bloc, and Tanghalang Pilipino social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok for more updates.