Vlad Bunoan

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IDEAFirst

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751428719557514720731_1172172791594287_1298765406927009801_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>MANILA — The IDEAFirst Company on Tuesday announced the launch of The Filipino Playwrights Prize (TFPP), a nationwide competition dedicated to discovering and nurturing original, full-length Filipino plays, with this year’s theme centered on comedy.</p><p>Organized under IDEAFirst LIVE!, the company’s newly formed theater arm, the competition is open to all Filipino citizens aged 18 and above. Eligible entries must be original and written predominantly in Filipino, structured in two or more acts, and may be either straight plays or musicals. For its inaugural edition, TFPP specifically calls for works in the comedy genre.</p><p>“Our goal is to discover and support Filipino playwrights,” said Jun Robles Lana, chief creative officer of The IDEAFirst Company. “We&#x27;re looking for well-crafted plays, particularly comedies this year, that can be developed for the stage. This is an investment in the next generation of Filipino theater content and talent.”</p><p>Elmer Gatchalian, who was recently appointed artistic director of IDEAFirst LIVE!, emphasized the initiative’s broader impact on the theater landscape. “The Filipino Playwrights Prize is a significant step in nurturing our local talent. We are eager to discover fresh voices and compelling stories that resonate with Filipino audiences, ultimately enriching our theatrical landscape,” he said.</p><p>To recognize outstanding works, the competition will award P100,000 to the first prize winner, P70,000 to the second prize winner, and P50,000 to the third prize winner. Submissions will be accepted until September 30, 2025. The winners will be officially announced on March 8, 2026.</p><p>The Filipino Playwrights Prize is part of IDEAFirst LIVE!’s broader commitment to cultivating a strong ecosystem for original Filipino dramatic works. Through this competition, the company aims to establish a steady supply of high-quality scripts for the stage while also investing in emerging and established talent in Philippine theater.</p><p>This initiative follows the successful debut of &quot;Anino sa Likod ng Buwan&quot; last March, directed by newly appointed resident director Tuxqs Rutaquio. The production marked a bold entry for IDEAFirst LIVE! into the local theater scene and is scheduled for a rerun this October.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/3/21/theater-review-anino-sa-likod-ng-buwan-steeped-in-sensual-strategy-1826">Theater review: &#x27;Anino sa Likod ng Buwan&#x27; steeped in sensual strategy </a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/events/2025/3/24/after-successful-run-anino-sa-likod-ng-buwan-to-be-restaged-in-october-2025-1947">After successful run, &#x27;Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan&#x27; to be restaged in October 2025 </a></div><p>Full competition guidelines are available at tinyurl.com/TFPPGuidelines2025, and entries may be submitted via tinyurl.com/TFPP2025. For updates and further information, visit the official Facebook page of The IDEAFirst Company.</p>

<p>IDEAFirst LIVE! launches The Filipino Playwrights Prize, a nationwide competition for original full-length Filipino plays.</p>

IDEAFirst LIVE! launches The Filipino Playwrights Prize, a nationwide competition for original full-length Filipino plays.

IDEAFirst launches nationwide playwriting contest with P100K prize

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IDEAFirst launches nationwide playwriting contest with P100K prize

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published Jul 02, 2025 12:05 PM PHT

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The Filipino Playwrights Prize

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