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Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and son Rafa in 'Elihiya.' Kiko Cabuena, CCP

Article (news)

Leah C. Salterio

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780382742268711802724_28027971636791810_2404568759365703882_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and son Rafa in &#x27;Elihiya.&#x27; <em>Kiko Cabuena, CCP</em></span></span></span>They have worked together onstage, on television and in films, but Rafa Siguion-Reyna said he is especially grateful to finally be sharing the stage with his father, acclaimed director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, as a co-actor. </div><p>Father and son are starring in Dustin Celestino’s “Elehiya,” an entry in this year’s Virgin Labfest, now on its 21st year. The play is a collection of monologues, an impressionistic montage of the important conversations that should have taken place between sons and their fathers. Ron Capinding is at the helm.</p><p>“It’s my first time to work with my dad as a co-actor,” Siguion-Reyna told ABS-CBN News. “Usually, our relationship when we work together, he’s the director. Our joke during the pandemic at home, he had so many rakets. Even now, he’s taping as an actor.”</p><p>Also in the cast of “Elehiya” are Dennis Marasigan, Yan Yuzon and John Sanchez.</p><div><br/></div><p>The last time Siguion-Reyna and his dad worked together was in 2012, when Tanghalang Pilipino staged “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw,” Rolando Tinio’s adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The elder Siguion-Reyna directed the play.</p><p>“When I was younger, I thought I would be able to work with my parents all the time,” Siguion-Reyna said. “But as I got older, it really was very special whenever I worked with them. I was enjoying it every time we do rehearsals. I hope he doesn’t direct me.”</p><p>He is thankful that his dad is very respectful of their boundaries as father and son. “He’s not like Bibeth,” Siguion-Reyna laughed, referring to his mother, writer and actress Bibeth Orteza.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780382716906711814476_1007413425369877_6747967246972822862_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>“I really love Virgin Labfest. It’s so exciting. My first time was in 2018 when I did Carlo Vergara’s ‘Edgar Allan Hemingway,’ then I revisited in 2019. I brought that experience to my other work as an artist. The artists, the creatives, the performers are all so good. That’s really a good energy. I’m excited to be back,” Siguion-Reyna said.</p><p>“Feeling ko every time I do Virgin Labfest, gumagaling ako talaga. All the writers and artists here are very good. There are so many plays that are really good. A lot of artists are also good. Their energy is very supportive of each other. Everybody is so excited to see everybody’s work. It’s the place to be in. It’s so fun.”</p><p>Working with one’s parents does not happen every day, Siguion-Reyna said, noting that he and his father have also collaborated on projects directed by his dad. “I’m super grateful for our jobs where we get to work with each other,” he said.</p><p>In 2014, father and son teamed up for the film “Hari ng Tondo,” directed by Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and featuring Robert Arevalo, Eric Quizon, Ice Seguerra and Cris Villonco.</p><p>More recently, the two also worked together during the 95th birthday concert of Irma Potenciano at Rockwell.</p><p>“Everybody is doing different things and growing into different roles,” Siguion-Reyna said. “Ganu’n talaga any buhay if you’re on the creative side. You have to do everything. So it’s nice to see everybody doing that.”</p><div><em>VLF XXI runs from June 3 to 28 at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).</em></div>

<p>Rafa Siguion-Reyna cannot be thankful enough that for the first time, he is working with his dad, acclaimed director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, this time as his co-actor onstage.</p>

Rafa Siguion-Reyna cannot be thankful enough that for the first time, he is working with his dad, acclaimed director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, this time as his co-actor onstage.

Rafa Siguion-Reyna finally shares the stage with dad Carlitos in VLF XXI

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Rafa Siguion-Reyna finally shares the stage with dad Carlitos in VLF XXI

Leah C. Salterio

Published June 02, 2026 03:03 PM PHT

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Rafa Siguion-Reyna

Elehiya

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