A new lineup of untried, untested and unstaged one act plays are set to send hearts beating at the 15th edition of the Virgin Labfest happening on June 19 – July 7, 2019 at various locations of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Aside from the 15 plays lined up (12 virgin plays plus 3 revisited plays from VLF 14), this year sees the expansion of the Staged Readings. Dubbed as Once They Were Virgins, this new staged reading sets will feature the first one act play by established playwrights Jun Lana, Liza Magtoto, Chris Martinez, and Chris Millado.
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| Front: Raymund Barcelon, Rolin Migyuel Obina, Anthony Kim Vergara, Andrew Estacio, Karl Caminade, and Juliene Mendoza Back: Handing Josef, Hobart Savior, Chris Millado, George de Jesus III, Tuxqs Rutaquio, and Rody Vera |
In celebration of 15 years of VLF, a Playwright Fair will be held on June 19, 2019, a chance for playwrights, both established and budding, to connect with their peers, audiences, potential producers, etc. and get mileage for their respective works.
Also continuing is the Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program, a two-week mentoring program for young aspiring playwrights that will culminate in a staged reading of the chosen fellow's works.
Here is the line up, synopses, and schedules of the plays of Virgin Labfest 15.
Featured Plays
Set A
CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
June 19 & 28 | July 3 & 7 | 3:00 PM
June 19 & 27 | July 2 & 6 | 8:00 PM
FanGirl
by Herlyn Alegre
by Herlyn Alegre
Director: Charles Yee
Cast: Mayen Estanero, Marj Lorico, and Mean Espinosa
Stage Manager: Jerome Aytona
Poster Design: Zoe de Ocampo
As one of the biggest boybands of the 1990s get together for a long-awaited reunion concert after 20 years, high school friends, Barbara, Jessica and Angeline, also reunite to book concert tickets to see their favorite boys. As the three friends reminisce their teenage years spent swooning over their favorite boyband, they also find themselves confronting issues from their past as concealed insecurities and unspoken resentment rise towards the surface.
Stage Manager: Jerome Aytona
Poster Design: Zoe de Ocampo
As one of the biggest boybands of the 1990s get together for a long-awaited reunion concert after 20 years, high school friends, Barbara, Jessica and Angeline, also reunite to book concert tickets to see their favorite boys. As the three friends reminisce their teenage years spent swooning over their favorite boyband, they also find themselves confronting issues from their past as concealed insecurities and unspoken resentment rise towards the surface.
Huling Hiling ni Darling
by Raymund Barcelon
by Raymund Barcelon
Director: Ricardo Magno
Cast: Renante Bustamante, Sherry Lara, Skyzx Labastilla, Chase Salazar, Kenjie Villacorte, Liway Gabo
Stage Manager: Francisco Miguel Yabut
Poster Designer: Zoe de Ocampo
After Abet’s wife fell into a sudden coma, he calls on his mother-in-law and sister-in-law to bid her goodbye. Much to the chagrin of Abet, his overbearing mother-in-law refuses to let her daughter go and insists that she’s fighting for a reason. The sister-in-law then reveals to Abet that she and his wife made an agreement that their mother will live with them, an agreement that he only learned on that fateful day.
Stage Manager: Francisco Miguel Yabut
Poster Designer: Zoe de Ocampo
After Abet’s wife fell into a sudden coma, he calls on his mother-in-law and sister-in-law to bid her goodbye. Much to the chagrin of Abet, his overbearing mother-in-law refuses to let her daughter go and insists that she’s fighting for a reason. The sister-in-law then reveals to Abet that she and his wife made an agreement that their mother will live with them, an agreement that he only learned on that fateful day.
Isang Gabing ang Buwan ay Hila-hila ng Gula-gulanit na Ulap
by Ryan Machado
by Ryan Machado
Director: Paolo O'Hara
Cast: Ybes Bagadiong and Heber O’Hara
Stage Manager: Jonalou Fabon
Poster Designer: Nicole Viray and Kweng Fernandez
In the dead of night when the moon is full, two men are secretly digging a waist-deep hole. It is uncertain whether they’re burying something or digging up treasures. Before dawn, they will lock horns with the power driving their deadliest, most guarded secret, their hunger.
Poster Designer: Nicole Viray and Kweng Fernandez
In the dead of night when the moon is full, two men are secretly digging a waist-deep hole. It is uncertain whether they’re burying something or digging up treasures. Before dawn, they will lock horns with the power driving their deadliest, most guarded secret, their hunger.
Set B
CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
June 20, 23 & 29 | July 4 | 3:00 PM
June 20 & 28 | July 3 & 7 | 8:00 PM
The Unreachable Star
by Layeta P. Bucoy
by Layeta P. Bucoy
Director: Mara Marasigan
Cast: Raffy Tejada, Tex Ordonez,
Lorie Figuerroa, and Reynald Santos
Stage Manager: Rafa Lubigan
Poster Designer: Mitzi Tayer
When self-assured Tatay discovers that his youngest child Ali is giving up on her dream of becoming an engineer, he has to persuade her that he can provide for her education through the help of their barangay captain's patronage and his wife's blind faith to their patron saint. He evicts his unapologetically gay older child from home as he is forced to hang on to his belief that he could fulfill all their dreams or risk the realization that his simplest of dreams has already metamorphosed into an unreachable star.
Lorie Figuerroa, and Reynald Santos
Stage Manager: Rafa Lubigan
Poster Designer: Mitzi Tayer
When self-assured Tatay discovers that his youngest child Ali is giving up on her dream of becoming an engineer, he has to persuade her that he can provide for her education through the help of their barangay captain's patronage and his wife's blind faith to their patron saint. He evicts his unapologetically gay older child from home as he is forced to hang on to his belief that he could fulfill all their dreams or risk the realization that his simplest of dreams has already metamorphosed into an unreachable star.
Anak Ka Ng
by U Z. Eliserio
by U Z. Eliserio
Director: Maynard Manansala
Cast: Krystle Valentino, Skyzx Labastilla, and Rafael Tibayan
Stage Manager: Bojo Barnes
Poster Designer: Jason Panuelos
Pina has spent most of her life without a mother. She has learned to rely on and love only her father. But now her father is dead. Connie, her mother, came home from abroad seemingly just to attend to the details of the funeral and burial, not to grieve. Soon, Connie will leave the Philippines again. Pina has to decide: will she forgive her mother and try to salvage their relationship, or will she cast Connie completely out of her life?
Stage Manager: Bojo Barnes
Poster Designer: Jason Panuelos
Pina has spent most of her life without a mother. She has learned to rely on and love only her father. But now her father is dead. Connie, her mother, came home from abroad seemingly just to attend to the details of the funeral and burial, not to grieve. Soon, Connie will leave the Philippines again. Pina has to decide: will she forgive her mother and try to salvage their relationship, or will she cast Connie completely out of her life?
Wanted: Male Boarders
by Rick Patriarca
by Rick Patriarca
Director: George de Jesus
Cast: Lance Reblando, Ross Pesigan, AJ Sison, and Vincent Pajara
Stage Manager: John Mark Yap
Poster Designer: George de Jesus III
In Indang, Cavite, a trio of college students relearns the definition of desire as they try to coexist with a new enigmatic board mate.
Stage Manager: John Mark Yap
Poster Designer: George de Jesus III
In Indang, Cavite, a trio of college students relearns the definition of desire as they try to coexist with a new enigmatic board mate.
Set C
CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
June 21, 26 & 30 | July 5 | 3:00 PM
June 21, 23 & 29 | July 4 | 8:00 PM
The Bride and the Bachelor
by Dingdong Novenario
by Dingdong Novenario
Director: Topper Fabregas
Cast: Via Antonio and Alex Medina
Stage Manager: Carl Sy Tanseco
Poster Designer: GA Fallarme
In a moment of heightened emotion, i.e. the Bride’s actual wedding, the Bride and the Bachelor meet up. Today it is extra-special because after ten years of being together, the Bride finally gets to tie the knot, albeit to her new fiancé. This provides both the Bride and the Bachelor one last chance to look back at their failed relationship and save what’s left of it, or perhaps take their relationship one step forward. After all, ten years together is definitely a bond that’s stronger than any marriage contract.
Stage Manager: Carl Sy Tanseco
Poster Designer: GA Fallarme
In a moment of heightened emotion, i.e. the Bride’s actual wedding, the Bride and the Bachelor meet up. Today it is extra-special because after ten years of being together, the Bride finally gets to tie the knot, albeit to her new fiancé. This provides both the Bride and the Bachelor one last chance to look back at their failed relationship and save what’s left of it, or perhaps take their relationship one step forward. After all, ten years together is definitely a bond that’s stronger than any marriage contract.
Surrogare
by J. Dennis Teodosio
by J. Dennis Teodosio
Director: Roobak Valle
Cast: Roeder Camañag, Paul Jake Paule, and Karen Romualdez
Stage Manager: Matthew Manalaysay
Poster Designer: Jhayr Lagrimas
Adam and Eve live like a typical married couple, focusing whatever they do around each other. They have committed to this fantabulous relationship for almost seven years now. Then, as they are about to feast on their anniversary dinner, Ana arrives, forcing them, not just to face their utmost fear, but, to fulfill their greatest fantasy as well. “Surrogare” is presumably about love and making things (sur)real.
Stage Manager: Matthew Manalaysay
Poster Designer: Jhayr Lagrimas
Adam and Eve live like a typical married couple, focusing whatever they do around each other. They have committed to this fantabulous relationship for almost seven years now. Then, as they are about to feast on their anniversary dinner, Ana arrives, forcing them, not just to face their utmost fear, but, to fulfill their greatest fantasy as well. “Surrogare” is presumably about love and making things (sur)real.
A Family Reunion
by Anthony Kim Vergara
by Anthony Kim Vergara
Director: Ian Segarra
Cast: Gie Onida, Chrome Cosio, Lesley Lina, Joshua Martin Tayco, and Sabrina Basilio
Stage Manager: Alpauline Peña
Poster Designer: Kaori Hayama
The family’s bunso is visiting from Japan with fianceé in hand and the job of breaking the news of their engagement to the family. He rounds up Dad, Ate, and Kuya for an evening family gathering where his guest and their exciting news are supposed to be the stars. But ghosts of family past are dredged and dragged to the surface and threaten to steal the spotlight. This play is an uncensored close-up of the Filipino family reunion, in all its hilarity and reality.
Stage Manager: Alpauline Peña
Poster Designer: Kaori Hayama
The family’s bunso is visiting from Japan with fianceé in hand and the job of breaking the news of their engagement to the family. He rounds up Dad, Ate, and Kuya for an evening family gathering where his guest and their exciting news are supposed to be the stars. But ghosts of family past are dredged and dragged to the surface and threaten to steal the spotlight. This play is an uncensored close-up of the Filipino family reunion, in all its hilarity and reality.
Set D
CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
June 22 & 27 | July 2 & 6 | 3:00 PM
June 22, 26 & 30 | July 5 | 8:00 PM
Ang Pag-uulyanin ni Olivia Mendoza
by Rolin Migyuel Obina
by Rolin Migyuel Obina
Director: Phil Noble
Cast: Edna Vida, Nonoy Froilan, Celeste Legaspi, Crispin Pineda, and Erlinda Villalobos
Stage Manager: William Guillermo
Poster Designer: Otto Hernandez
Olivia, a 75-year old woman in a home for the elderlies, keeps her dark past to herself in fear of losing the hard fought relationship with the man she loves; among the coterie of the same senile, cranky, old people with once significant but now forgotten lives. Until one day, when Alzheimer’s Disease reveals her deepest secrets, everything she holds dear falls apart, leaving a fractured memory she might never mend back again.
Stage Manager: William Guillermo
Poster Designer: Otto Hernandez
Olivia, a 75-year old woman in a home for the elderlies, keeps her dark past to herself in fear of losing the hard fought relationship with the man she loves; among the coterie of the same senile, cranky, old people with once significant but now forgotten lives. Until one day, when Alzheimer’s Disease reveals her deepest secrets, everything she holds dear falls apart, leaving a fractured memory she might never mend back again.
Larong Demonyo
by Nicolas B. Pichay
by Nicolas B. Pichay
Director: José Estrella
Cast: Leo Rialp and Johnny Maglinao
Assistant Director: Issa Manalo Lopez
Dramaturg: Ina Azarcon-Bolivar
Lighting Designer: Barbie Tan-Tiongco
Sound Designer: J Laspuña
Photography: Henriette P. Baes
Poster Designer: Tristan Ramirez
Stage Managers: Rafa Ticzon and Camille de Luna
Napipilitang mag-apply ng trabaho si Efren sa dating kinakatakutan at ngayo’y kinasusuklaman Heneral ng Martial Law dahil kailangan niya ng pang-ospital sa kanyang lolo na na may malubhang karamdaman.
Makakatunggali ni Efren ang Heneral sa isang matinding talakayan hanggang sa umabot ito sa paglalaro nila ng chess na may nakakapangilabot na pustahan.
Assistant Director: Issa Manalo Lopez
Dramaturg: Ina Azarcon-Bolivar
Lighting Designer: Barbie Tan-Tiongco
Sound Designer: J Laspuña
Photography: Henriette P. Baes
Poster Designer: Tristan Ramirez
Stage Managers: Rafa Ticzon and Camille de Luna
Napipilitang mag-apply ng trabaho si Efren sa dating kinakatakutan at ngayo’y kinasusuklaman Heneral ng Martial Law dahil kailangan niya ng pang-ospital sa kanyang lolo na na may malubhang karamdaman.
Makakatunggali ni Efren ang Heneral sa isang matinding talakayan hanggang sa umabot ito sa paglalaro nila ng chess na may nakakapangilabot na pustahan.
Wala Nang Bata Dito
by Sari Saysay
by Sari Saysay
Director: Tanya Lopez
Cast: Venise T. Buenaflor
Stage Manager: Roger Joshua Venzal
Costume Designer: Adrian Torres
Multimedia Projections: Elvert Bañares
One early evening in a small fishing barrio in Bikol, a mother awaits the authorities who will take her nine-year old child to prison.
Stage Manager: Roger Joshua Venzal
Costume Designer: Adrian Torres
Multimedia Projections: Elvert Bañares
One early evening in a small fishing barrio in Bikol, a mother awaits the authorities who will take her nine-year old child to prison.
Set E (Best of VLF 14/Revisited)
CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute
June 20, 22, 23 & 29 | July 6 & 7 | 3:00 PM
June 21, 22, 28 & 29 | July 5 & 6 | 8:00 PM
Mga Eksena sa Buhay ng Kontrabida
by Dustin Celestino
by Dustin Celestino
Director: Roobak Valle
Cast: Jay Gonzaga, JV Ibesate, Fitz Bitana, Richard Manabat, Lian Silverio
Set Design: Carlo Pagunaling
Stage Manager: Matthew Manalaysay
Poster Design: Kim Quilicot
Set Design: Carlo Pagunaling
Stage Manager: Matthew Manalaysay
Poster Design: Kim Quilicot
River Lethe
by Allan B. Lopez
by Allan B. Lopez
Director: Chris Martinez
Cast: Paolo O’Hara, Mayen Estanero, Charm Aranton, Ian Formacion, and Roco Sanchez
Set Design: James Reyes
Stage Manager: Enzo Canon
Poster Design: Carlo Vergara
A room in a small lover’s hotel is sanitized, preparing it for its next occupant. Abe and Mara, two cancer patients who just finished with their early morning chemotherapy sessions, check in before returning to their regular lives. In snapshots, we see the few hours they are together exploring fetishes, kinks, uncanny sex and hopeless medical conditions – the nakedness of their bodies shadowing intimacies that nobody outside the room will ever know. All is left in the cramped space to be forgotten – a dip in the mythical River Lethe, where one drinks to forget.
Set Design: James Reyes
Stage Manager: Enzo Canon
Poster Design: Carlo Vergara
A room in a small lover’s hotel is sanitized, preparing it for its next occupant. Abe and Mara, two cancer patients who just finished with their early morning chemotherapy sessions, check in before returning to their regular lives. In snapshots, we see the few hours they are together exploring fetishes, kinks, uncanny sex and hopeless medical conditions – the nakedness of their bodies shadowing intimacies that nobody outside the room will ever know. All is left in the cramped space to be forgotten – a dip in the mythical River Lethe, where one drinks to forget.
Edgar Allan Hemingway
by Carlo Vergara
by Carlo Vergara
Director: George de Jesus
Cast: Guelan Luarca, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, and Ricci Chan
Set Design: Zard Eguia
Poster Design: Carlo Vergara
Stage Manager: Soc Amon
When a young man achieves a feat that many writers could only dream of, he’s thrust into a hectic life of celebrity, one unabashedly embraced by his supportive lover. But when a childhood friend shows up hoping to have a slice of the same success, an unexpected revelation brings about questions on ethics, survival, and freedom.
Set Design: Zard Eguia
Poster Design: Carlo Vergara
Stage Manager: Soc Amon
When a young man achieves a feat that many writers could only dream of, he’s thrust into a hectic life of celebrity, one unabashedly embraced by his supportive lover. But when a childhood friend shows up hoping to have a slice of the same success, an unexpected revelation brings about questions on ethics, survival, and freedom.
Staged Readings
CCP Bulwagang Amado Hernandez
Set A (Once They Were Virgins)
June 21, 2019 | 6:00 PM
Rated X
by June Lana
by June Lana
Director: Dennis Marasigan
Freshman
by Chris Martinez
by Chris Martinez
Director: Kanakan Balintagos
Set B (Once They Were Virgins)
June 28, 2019 | 6:00 PM
Pagsasarili
by Liza Magtoto
by Liza Magtoto
Director: Olive Nieto
Intermedyo
by Chris Millado
by Chris Millado
Director: Baha Vergara
Set C
June 30, 2019 | 6:00 PM
Ang Pagbalik at ang Paglisan
by Karl Caminade
by Karl Caminade
Director: Bong Cabrera
Multiverse
by Juliene Mendoza
by Juliene Mendoza
Director: Pat Valera
Mula Kina Cain at Abel
by Mikaela Regis
by Mikaela Regis
Director: Yong Tapang
Set D
July 5, 2019 | 6:00 PM
July 5, 2019 | 6:00 PM
Ang Pambansang Impyerno ng Republika ng Pilipinas
by Andrew Estacio
by Andrew Estacio
Director: Sari Saysay
Lit
by Emmanuel Feliciano
by Emmanuel Feliciano
Director: Eric Villanueva dela Cruz
Mema
by Joey Paras
by Joey Paras
Director: Chunchi Cabasaan
Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Writer's Bloc, Inc., the Virgin Labfest, established in 2005, aims to provide Filipino playwrights a venue to present their unpublished, untried, and unstaged works to the theater going public.
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