Star-studded Virgin Lab Fest marks 20th edition

Virgin Lab Fest (VLF), an annual festival of “untried, untested and unstaged” plays, turns 20 this year, with three weeks of a new batch of one-act plays at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

VLF XX “Hinog” runs from June 11 to 29 at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP’s Black Box Theater). 

“VLF is one of the important programs of the CCP,” CCP president Kaye Tinga told ABS-CBN News “That’s why I am here with Trustees Monino Duque and Junie del Mundo.

“We are here to show our support to this very important festival. We cannot miss this (VLF) because this is too important.”

“Hinog” is the perfect theme for VLF XX, a testament to the ripening of the CCP’s creative spirit.

“Twentieth year is a milestone that not only marks two decades of bold, brave theater plays, but also signals a cultural coming of age,” added Tinga.

‘Twenty years ago, Virgin Lab Fest began as a haven for untried, untested and unstaged plays, and as an indicator for amateur and emerging playwrights.

“Today, we celebrate how far Virgin Lab Fest has come, not just in number of productions, but in the lives we’ve changed, the voices we’ve amplified and the conversations we’ve shaped.

“As we enter this new chapter, the CCP, with Tanghalang Pilipino and The Writer’s Bloc, remains committed to supporting artists and storytellers whose works onstage reflect that ever vibrant Filipino experience.”

“The Virgin Lab Fest continues to be a vital part of that mission as it always reminds us that the essence of theater is not just entertainment, but expression, call for action and community building.”

 Angelica Panganiban (second from left) with (from left) co-star Peewee O'Hara, director Toni Go-Yadao and writer Ryan Machado in "Don't Meow for Me, Catriona." It was in 2005, when VLF began with eight new one-act works of Filipino playwrights. Since then, the numbers have been overwhelming. 

VLF is now a continuing legacy, which lies on the success of its works. To date, it is the only annual playwrights festival in the country. 

The legacy of VLF lies in the playwrights who are joining – as young as 16 years to as old as 88 – who have the courage to write words of truth, create characters filled with reality and tell the stories which must be told. 

It would have been the 21st year of VLF had the pandemic not deter it and the festival went online with reruns and didn’t stage any new plays, recalled Rody Vera, executive director of The Writer’s Bloc and Carmela Manuel, company manager.

Since its fourth year, VLF has seen 100 to 300 entries per year. For next year, there are already 212 entries vying for the Magic 12.

“This festival, we have the highest number of virgin playwrights,” said Vera. “That means first time for them to enter Virgin Lab Fest.”

Although the plays are by new playwrights, the actors and directors featured this year are well known in the field.

Film and TV actress Angelica Panganiban makes her theater debut and leads the Set D (May Asim Pa) pack with “Don’t Meow for Me, Catriona,” by Ryan Machado.

She will be joined by veteran actress Peewee O’Hara, making the play a two-hander, with Toni Go-Yadao at the helm. 

Even before the month of May ended, the opening and closing shows of “Don’t Meow for Me, Catriona,” were already sold out – proof that the play is much anticipated with Panganiban.

 Director Andoy Ranay (third from left) returns tp theater in "Presidential Suite #2." 

Another two hander is “Anniversary” by Nelsito Gomez and directed by Sarah Facun, with Bibeth Orteza and Jamie Wilson.

Director Dexter M. Santos, fresh from the success of “Delia D,” will work on a small play, “Minating ni Mariah ang Manto ni Mama Mary” by Eljay Castro Deldoc that has Mosang in the cast and will lead Set B (Manibalang).

Director Andoy Ranay will act this time in “Presidential Suite #2” by Siege Malvar and directed by Johnnie Moran. Ranay will play a senator accused of money laundering who suffers from a heart attack while there is a senate hearing.

Donna Cariaga, winner of “It’s Showtime’s” Funny One Season2, will make her theater debut in another two-hander, “Mga Magindara sa Siyudad” by Chris Joseph Junio and directed by Riki Benedicto. Cariaga has previously acted on TV and in films.

Set A (Bubot) is led by “Takbo, Batang Tondo” with Yoj Sanchez as playwright and directed by Chic San Agustin-De Guzman, “Ang Bata Kag ang Ilaga” by Liane Carlo Suelan and directed by Siglo, and “Polar Coordinates” by Ade Valenzona and directed by Paolo O’Hara.

Set B (Manibalang) also includes “Unang Araw” by Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo and directed by Cholo Ledesma.

Set C (Kinalburo) consists of two other plays – “Ang Problema sa Trolley” by Imuthis and directed by Adrienne Vergara, as well as “The Late Mister Real” by Rolin Migyuel Obina and directed by Maynard Manansala.

Set D (May Asim Pa) includes “Mommy G” by Jobert Grey Landeza and directed by Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan. The cast includes veteran theater actor and the director’s better half, Jonathan Tadioan.

Set E (Panghimagas) leads with “Identite” by Jhudiel Claire Sosa and directed by Mean Espinosa, “Pagkapit sa Hangin” by Joshua Lim So and directed by Jose Estrella, and “Sa Babaeng Lahat” by Elise Santos directed by Caisa Borromeo.

VLF XX also prides in its educational commodities as it also holds stage readings for this year. These will be done with playwrights and directors on June 17 and 24 at the Bulwagang Roberto Chabet on the third floor of Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.

There will also be theater talks for this year on June 13, 20 and 27, playwrights’ fair on June 14, 21 and 28, as well as the writing fellowship showcase with eight new fellows on June 29, 5 p.m. All activities are at Bulwagang Roberto Chabet.

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