MANILA, PHILIPPINES – This June, the stage lights blaze once more at the Virgin Labfest (VLF) as it marks its 20th year with HINOG in a season ripe with brave, untamed stories. From June 11 to 29 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater), VLFXX digs deep into the fertile ground of Filipino storytelling, spotlighting 12 fresh one-act plays, alongside encore stagings of three crowd favorites from last year.
Born out of a bold vision to showcase untried, untested, and unstaged plays, Virgin Labfest continues to be the launchpad for emerging playwrights, visionary directors, and fearless creatives cultivating a community where raw narratives are given center stage.
Featuring 12 new scripts by 8 virgin male and female playwrights and 4 returning playwrights in its milestone year, VLFXX: HINOG blooms into a passionate community of unheard voices and untold stories, bringing people closer through truthful and compelling storytelling.
- TBT: TAKBO, BATANG TONDO – by YOJ
- ANG BATA KAG ANG ILAGA – by Liane Carlo Suelan
- POLAR COORDINATES – by Ade Valenzona
- MINATING NI MARIAH ANG MANTO NG MOMMY NI MAMA MARY – by Eljay Castro Deldoc
- UNANG ARAW – by Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo
- PRESIDENTIAL SUITE #2 – by Siege Malvar
- MGA MAGINDARA SA SIYUDAD – by Chris Joseph Junio
- ANG PROBLEMA SA TROLLEY – by Imuthis (Harvey Rebaya Sallador)
- THE LATE MR. REAL – by Rolin Migyuel Obina
- ANNIVERSARY – by Nelsito Gomez
- MOMMY G – by Jobert Grey Landeza
- DON’T MEOW FOR ME, CATRIONA – by Ryan Machado
The VLF stage reopens to three potent works from last year:
- IDENTITE – by Jhudiel Clare Sosa
- PAGKAPIT SA HANGIN – by Joshua Lim So
- SA BABAENG LAHAT – by Elise Santos
Staged readings of emerging scripts include:
- WALA GINAKAMATISAN ANG ITLOG – by Andy Abellar
- PATAY NA SI RIZAL – by Matt Ordoñez
- ISANG MALAKING TIPAK NG BATO SA GITNA NG ILOG – by M.E. Mejaro
- GANIMIDE – by Rex Sandro Nepomuceno
Presenting new tales of diversity and challenging perspectives, VLFXX: HINOG shows are scheduled at 2 p.m. matinee and 8 p.m. gala, while the educational components are at 5 p.m.
For more information on the festival schedule and ticket prices, visit the official social media accounts of VLF, CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Writers’ Bloc on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
