Curtains will roll up this June at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez as the Virgin Labfest returns for its 18th edition.

Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, The Writer’s Bloc, and Tanghalang Pilipino, the VLF18 have five different programs in store for the attendees consisting of main features, staged readings, theater talks, playwright’s fair, and writing fellowship.

Twelve fresh plays, which are a mix of works of veteran and upcoming playwrights, will be staged from June 7 to 25 for the main features.

Avid theater goers shared with RepublicAsia what they’re looking forward to in this year’s VLF edition.

VLF experience

Before becoming part of the VLF audience, Deng Manalang has always been a big fan of musical plays, specifically Broadway and West End plays. She also finds Filipino-made theater plays and films, particularly those of Repertory Philippines and Cinemalaya, enjoyable. 

It was the Cinemalaya films that got Manalang, a former deputy director of a bank, digging up more local works, which led her to discover VLF in 2018.

“I guess what got me curious about VLF is that I realized in watching Cinemalaya that the Filipino talent is really boundless. I love independent films. I also love the vibe at the CCP Main Theater when I watch indie films with co-indie film buffs. If a Filipino film maker can do a really good film, I guess they can also do very good, must watch, untried and untested plays, and I was right!” Manalang said, revealing that she has always been amazed by the performances of theater actress Skyzx Labastilla.

She went on saying, “I appreciate the diversity of the plays in every VLF. There is variety. The intimacy also of the venue is a plus factor. One gets to feel that he or she is part of the play. Set design is simple but creative. The actors and actresses of whatever age are really talented hands down.”

“Ellas Inosentes” by Layeta Bucoy, “Three Sisters” by Yoji Sakate, and “Mga Obra ni Maestra” by Niel de Mesa — these are the revisited plays that left a mark on Joe Louie Agoncillo Lavaro when he first saw them on the fourth edition of the VLF in 2008. 

From not having the chance to watch the VLF plays due to a jam-packed schedule, the now 36-year-old educator came back as an online viewer in the VLF 2020: “Kapit,” with “Teacher Kit” by Jobert Landeza being his personal favorite among the lineup. Two years later, he stepped foot at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute to watch all the sets of plays in the VLF 2022: “Hinga.”

“What draws me to the Virgin Labfest is its celebration of plays that are ‘untried,’ ‘untested,’ ‘unpublished,’ and ‘unstaged.’ I am drawn to the rawness and creativity of the plays, and the courage of the writers and directors to tackle societal issues. The VLF provides a platform for new and original works in theater to be showcased, and I appreciate how it has helped promote and cultivate Philippine theater culture,” Lavaro stressed.

VLF18: Hitik lineup

With the theme “Hitik,” the latest edition of the VLF will stage 12 fresh one-act plays divided into four thematic sets: Adulting 101 for Set A, REBELasyon for Set B, Y.O.L.O for Set C, and Muwang for Set D. It also included another set, Hinog for Set E, where three plays from the last year’s festival edition will be revisited.

Adulting 101 will feature “O” by Raymund Barcelon, “Regine: The Fairy Gaymother” by Chuck D. Smith, and “10 To Midnight” by Juliene Mendoza.

REBELasyon includes “Ang Awit ng Dalagang Marmol” by Andrew Estacio, “Dominador Gonzales: National Artist” by Dingdong Novenario, and “Tuloy Ang Palabas” by Layeta Bucoy.

Y.O.L.O is composed of “Room 209” by Zheg Arban, “Hukay” by Ophalain Margaux Serrano, and “Mga Halimaw Rin Kami” by Jules Pamisa.

Under Muwang are “Hawaii, Here We Come!” by Shenn Apilado, “O’Donnell’ by Jerry O’Hara, and “Ang Tuyom” by Marjay Manalastas.

Hinog will bring back to the stage “Nay May Dala Akong Pansit” by Juan Ekis, “Punks Not Dead” by Andrew Bonifacio Clete, and “Fermata” by Dustin Celestino.

One of the plays to watch out for is the work of senior Creative Writing student Ophalain Margaux Serrano from the University of Santo Tomas titled, “Hukay.” Serrano told The Varsitarian that the play got its inspiration from Boys’ Love (BL) stories to give more representation both in real life and stories.

“When we talk about love stories, we always think about Romeo and Juliet. But, like, hey, there are other people who can fall in love, hindi lang sila Romeo and Juliet. Meron pang iba dyan,” Serrano was quoted saying in the article.

Viewers’ expectations

Seeing this list, Manalang said she expects the festival to live up to its theme “Hitik,” which can be translated as “filled with.”

“Nakaka-excite ang titles of the sets:  Adulting 101, REBELasyon, YOLO, Muwang.  Set title pa lang, you will be filled with wondrous expectations already. I am prepared to be awed,” she said.

Same goes for Lavaro, who expects the festival to offer “different perspectives on various aspects of Filipino life” as ever. As a VLF viewer since 2008, he’s specifically excited to see the works of some familiar playwrights, as well as the works of the other playwrights who are new to him.

“I believe this will provide an opportunity for me to discover fresh perspectives and unique narratives. With such a diverse set of plays, I am eager to watch each and every one of them,” Lavaro said.

“Overall, I am confident that this year’s Virgin Labfest will be a great success. I look forward to experiencing the creativity and artistic expression that the festival has become known for, and to witness the fresh perspectives and unique voices that make it such an exciting event for theater enthusiasts,” he added.

As of writing, details of the ticket selling for the VLF18: “Hitik” has yet to be announced.