Virgin Labfest 19's theater plays to highlight "complex human experiences"

MANILA — Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez will once again open its curtains for 12 new scripts circling on complex layers of human experience for the 19th edition of Virgin Labfest happening from June 12 to 30.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) organizes the VLF, an annual festival of never-before-seen theater plays, along with other creative activities.

This year's VLF was themed "pintog", as the following narratives set to take center stage are now in full bloom:

 • "Vengeance of the God" by Hans Pieter Arao - After a person has been possessed in public, the town mayor's chief of staff convinces the possessed civilian's father to join him in his quest for justice.

 • "Ningas" by Lino Balmes - A woman asks a man to simply give her a name.

 • "Love on the Brain" by Rick Patriarca - Ex-lovers realize how tiring modern gay dating could be as they discovered they contracted HIV.

 • "Pagkapit sa Hangin" by Joshua Lim So - A patient sees the scheme of a doctor and his nurses who limit the oxygen supply of near-to-death patients in a public hospital.

 • "Lipistick at Pulbura" by Ara Jenika Vinzon - A censor for the Japanese planning to unearth her guerrilla friend. In the printing press where she works, the lead character will gain her final memory of their friendship before a battle.

 • "The Foxtrot" by Chesie Galvez-Cariño - Play revolves around a middle-aged matron of substantial means and her respectable dance instructor who rehearses for an amateur ballroom dance competition.

 • "Sa Babaeng Lahat" by Elise Santos - Three young girls reflect on their relationships with religion, sexuality, and themselves.

 • "Ang Munting Liwanag sa Madilim na Sulok ng Serbeserya sa Maynila" by Dustin Celestino - Two psychology professors had a deep conversation in a beer house about love, marriage, and privilege.

 • "Si Hesus Na'a sa U.S." by Neil Azcuna - Two separated lovers revisit their past on their way to the airport as one of them contemplates a new lover’s plan to immigrate to the United States.

 • "Sentenaryo" by Herlyn Alegre - Relatives went to a centenarian's birthday celebration for an interest in the celebrant's free government money. However, the centenarian dies before the arrival of the barangay caption who will give the money.

 • "The Divine Family" by Dip Mariposque - Family members had a rough dynamic after being forced to stay in one house due to the pandemic.

 • "Identite" by Jhudiel Clare Sosa - Complicated relationship between a daughter and mother.

The 19th VLF will also revisit three plays from last year's edition: "Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol" by Andrew Estacio, "Dominador Gonzales: National Artist" by Dingdong Novenario, and "Room 209" by Zheg Arban.

There will also be four staged readings featuring "Huling Salita" by Christa De La Cruz, "Pabili ng Christmas Three" by Dia Sales, "Shiver" by Atria Pacana, and "Patayin ang mga Surot" by Floyd Scott Tioganco.

Theater experts' discussions

The festival will hold an insightful talk between its founders – Herbie Go and Rody Vera.

For the Writing Fellowship Workshop, Professor Glenn Mas will mentor eight fellows on the study and practice of dramatic writing. Meanwhile, CCP Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan will direct the culminating program on June 20.

Attendees can also listen to the Theater Talks, a forum series on the production process in theater practice. A Dramaturgy Fellowship Exhibit will spice up the event, showcasing the journey of the VLF 19's drama experts.

Theater shows will be at 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. Interested visitors may check the social media accounts of CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Writers' Bloc for ticket prices.