Vlad Bunoan

Rafa Siguion-Reyna  (third from left, standing) and Dennis Marasigan (second from right, standing) in Dustin Celestino's "Elehiya"

Article (news)

Leah C. Salterio

MANILA — As the Virgin Labfest XXI marks its 21st year, the country’s premier festival of untried and untested one-act plays is embracing a fitting coming-of-age moment — bringing together two generations of theater artists on one stage.Carrying the theme “Hubo’t Hubad,” this year’s edition features veteran performers sharing the spotlight with their children and a new wave of actors, playwrights and directors, blending legacy, mentorship and fearless storytelling in what organizers describe as one of the festival’s most personal and daring lineups yet.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779256609441IMG_4077.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Rafa Siguion-Reyna (third from left, standing) and Dennis Marasigan (second from right, standing) in Dustin Celestino&#x27;s &quot;Elehiya&quot; "/>Rafa Siguion-Reyna (third from left, standing) and Dennis Marasigan (second from right, standing) in Dustin Celestino&#x27;s &quot;Elehiya&quot; </div>There’s Rafa Siguion-Reyna acting onstage with his dad, multi-awarded director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, in Dustin Celestino’s “Elehiya,” megged by Ron Capinding.Angel Aquino will share the stage with her daughter Iana Bernardez in playwright Gab Mactal’s “Lualhati,” about a former nun turned philosophy professor Jacinta, who comes face to face with Lualhati, a nun from her time at the convent after 20 years. Their memories of faith and romance emerge on the last night of the wake held at the Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn convent.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779256762579IMG_4076.jpeg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Jackielou Blanco (center) leads the cast of Gab Mactal&#x27;s &quot;Lualhati.&quot; "/>Jackielou Blanco (center) leads the cast of Gab Mactal&#x27;s &quot;Lualhati.&quot; </div>Jackielou Blanco and Banaue Miclat join the cast, with Bea Garcia Choy and Sarah Monay, directed by Mara Paulina Marasigan, the director-daughter of Dennis Marasigan, who will be seen in “Elehiya.”Veteran actress Peewee O’Hara will resurrect Dingdong Novenario’s “Manang,” with Jamie Wilson. O’Hara’s son, Paolo O’Hara, will direct “Polar Coordinates,” written by Ade Valenzona.Playwright Jerom Canlas works with his actor-brother Elijah Canlas, Omar Udin and Meryl Soriano, all making their VLF debut in “Footprint,” that hews closely to the story of Canlas’ youngest brother who passed on three years ago. As they search for answers, each memory reveals a harder truth. Mikko Angeles directs.“VLF finally comes of age, bearing the theme, ‘Hubo’t Hubad,’ as it finally captures the maturity and artistry expected at 21 while continuing to harness the magic of theater and the arts,” said Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) president Kaye Tinga.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779256860819IMG_4071.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="950" alt="CCP president Kaye Tinga "/>CCP president Kaye Tinga </div>“’Hubo’t Hubad’ showcases how people bare and reveal themselves in their own ways. Two excerpts from these years plays – ‘Human Rights of the Year’ and ‘Elehiya’ – are works from ‘virgin’ playwright Elijah Felice Rosales and returning playwright Dustin Celestino, respectively.”“Along with their fellow playwrights, they serve as testament to what Virgin Labfest has blown into: A talented community of individuals devoted to nourishing our nation’s cultural tapestry,” Tinga added.Tinga credited festival directors Toni Go-Yadao and Marco Viaña, the playwrights, directors, actors, stage managers and every hand and mind involved in mounting three revisited plays, 12 “virgin” scripts from eight “virgin” playwrights, six “virgin” directors and four returnees.“May you continue to uphold your truth,” Tinga said. “May Virgin Labfest XXI ignite your commitment and passion for Philippine arts and culture.”VLF opted for the theme, “Hubo’t Hubad” because they want to show the celebration of adulthood. “We want to show the raw energy and fearless storytelling,” said VLF theater education officer, festival director and ACC (Asian Cultural Council) grantee Go-Yadao. “Makikita natin na mailalabas ng mga Pilipino ang kanilang voice and spirit to present the stories without restraint.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779257001901IMG_4060.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="950" alt=" &quot;Virgin&quot; actor CJ Navato with Justine Peña in Elijah Felice Rosales&#x27; &quot;Human Rights Story of the Year.&quot; "/> &quot;Virgin&quot; actor CJ Navato with Justine Peña in Elijah Felice Rosales&#x27; &quot;Human Rights Story of the Year.&quot; </div>Glaiza de Castro leads the cast of Ron Evangelista’s “She’s Electric,” marking her first venture into Virgin Labfest XXI. She is joined by Joshua Cabiladas, Aldo Vencilao, Yesh Burce and Ybes Bagadiong, with JB Habac directing.“Human Rights Story of the Year” is a two-hander written by Elijah Felice Rosales with another VLF first-timer CJ Navato, with Justine Peña. Nelsito Gomez is at the helm.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779256914060IMG_4078.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="John &quot;Sweet&quot; Lapus (middle) and his team in &quot;Taksyapo.&quot; "/>John &quot;Sweet&quot; Lapus (middle) and his team in &quot;Taksyapo.&quot; </div>John “Sweet” Lapus finally makes his VLF debut as a playwright in “Taksyapo,” another two-hander this time with Christian Bables and Mosang.What begins as a simple attempt to smash plates and vent his anger evolves into a lively and revealing conversation between two strangers. Tuxqs Rutaquio directs and does the production design.Donna Cariaga stars in her sophomore theater outing, “Patayin ang mga Surot,” that occurs on the last night of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency. While an Oplan Tokhang operation unfolds, tension builds as a couple conducts their own extermination of bedbugs. Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan marks her sophomore directorial venture with playwright Floyd Scott Tiogangco.All the celebrities, including Blanco and De Castro, were invited to audition for their roles. There was also a three-month script development process and stage reading after the casting was finalized. Anthony Kim Vergara’s “Password 123, Pilipinas 321” centers on Blackteam, an underground cyberspace operation disguised as a technical support center. With his cousin leading the team’s troubling methods, the lead character questions his chosen path as a cybersecurity expert and as a Filipino. Noel Rayos leads the cast.A wounded fighter stumbles into a small Marawi hospital in Neil Arkhe Azcuna’s “Balos.” Because of his arrival, four medical workers must decide between staying silent to save lives and speaking up to risk everyone’s refuge.In Alab Usman’s “Haram,” three queer Muslims struggle to manage faith and love across borders and barriers.Faith Ferrer Lacanlale’s “Betamax” follows a woman who begins to see “human pigs” after a minor road accident. As she ascends to madness, the darkness surrounding her family is brought to light. Sheenly Gener directsGerald Manuel’s “Bugaghag” follows a young lady who is haunted by a long-haired enigma that corners her into choosing between self-preservation and self-destruction. Director is Tess Jamias.Rolin Cadallo’ Obina’s “The Late Mr. Real” is included in the revisited plays, megged by Maynard Manansala.Siege Malvar’s “Presidential Suite No. 2” is directed by Johnnie Moran. Jose Victor Torres’ “Mga Tatsulok” is directed by Zoe de Ocampo. M. Manalastas’ “The Devoured” is megged by Monty Uy, starring Soliman Cruz and Roselyn Perez.Rafael Jimenez’s “Suor” is the story of an atheist conductor and a nun, directed by Sarah Facun. Juan Ekis’ “Kasal (Anan)” is an inquiry into relationships, marriage, unraveling and love. Gab Pangilinan is at the helm. Teetin Villanueva and Esteban Mara star.Jay Fernandez’s “Ang Huli” is about the life of a dance choreographer, post pandemic, directed by BJ Crisostomo.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779257087662IMG_4074.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="VLF and CCP officers (from left) festival directors Marco Viaña and Toni Go-Yadao, Dennis Marasigan, Kaye Tinga, Nanding Josef, Rody Vera, and Carmela Millado Manuel "/>VLF and CCP officers (from left) festival directors Marco Viaña and Toni Go-Yadao, Dennis Marasigan, Kaye Tinga, Nanding Josef, Rody Vera, and Carmela Millado Manuel </div>On June 14, there will be a VLF anthology book launch. The festival runs from June 3 to 28 at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).

As the Virgin Labfest XXI marks its 21st year, the country’s premier festival of untried and untested one-act plays is embracing a fitting coming-of-age moment — bringing together two generations of theater artists on one stage.

As the Virgin Labfest XXI marks its 21st year, the country’s premier festival of untried and untested one-act plays is embracing a fitting coming-of-age moment — bringing together two generations of theater artists on one stage.

VLF XXI brings theater families together in star-studded 'coming-of-age' edition

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VLF XXI brings theater families together in star-studded 'coming-of-age' edition

Leah C. Salterio

Published May 20, 2026 02:48 PM PHT

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