(SPOT.ph) The Virgin Labfest returns on its 14th year of staging exciting and provcative one-act plays within the walls of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. As in the previous editions, viewers are in for a lineup of "untried, untested, unstaged" theatrical pieces that have all kinds of unexpected plot twists and character quirks. The festival runs from June 27 to July 15 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino and Tanghalang Huseng Batute.
Here’s the exciting lineup of Virgin Labfest 2018:
Palanca award-winning writer Allan Lopez took the liberty of making the Virgin Labfest's programme easy to look at.
SET A
Mga Eksena sa Buhay ng Kontrabida
Written by Dustin Celestino
Directed by Roobak Valle
In Mga Eksena sa Buhay ng Kontrabida, tables are turned as the story puts the villain under the spotlight. It follows the life of Jake (Jay Gonzaga) who—like any other villain—is violent, selfish, and reckless; and how his friends and family try to figure him out.
Mga Bata sa Selda 43
Written by Rolin Migyuel Cadallo Obina
Directed by Ian Segarra
In this sci-fi play, two kids from the slums—Philip (Tomas Santos) and his younger brother, Ino (JM Canlas)—were kidnapped by aliens. Their plan to escape the alien's prison cell crashes when they meet Ed (Rafa Tibayan).
Ang Inyong Mga Anak: Si Harold at Napoleon
Written by Anthony Kim Vergara
Directed by Ricardo Magno
Just before leaving the house for an out-of-town trip, Harold (Joshua Tayco) starts a conversation with his mother (May Bayot) about a former college schoolmate who was brutally murdered. We later learn about the mother and son's contrast when it comes to taking a political stand.
SET B
Ang mga Propesyunal
Written by Sari Saysay
Directed by Carlos Siguion Reyna
In an all too familiar situation, Pia (Krystle Campos) is a professional journalist barred from covering events in Malacañang. Eager to expose the truth, she tags along her two friends—a doctor and a police officer—to discover facts about the death of innocent children and the ongoing threat to democracy.
Rosas
Written by J. Dennis Teodosio
Directed by Charles Yee
Rosas follows the story of two old men (Bembol Roco and Crispin Pineda) in an elderly home. While waiting for the sun to set, they reminisce about their past and reveal their deepest secrets of longing. This one-act play is dedicated in memory of theater stalwart Soxie Topacio.
Edgar Allan Hemingway
Written by Carlo Vergara
Directed by George de Jesus III
Graphic artist and writer Carlo Vergara presents a story about a young man enjoying a successful writing career. He's treated like a celebrity and put on a pedestal by his supportive lover. Things take a different turn when a childhood friend shows up, hoping to learn his ways.
SET C
Labor Room
Written by Ma. Cecilia “Maki” dela Rosa
Directed by Jose Estrella and Issa Manalo Lopez
Three strangers form an unlikely and short friendship while delivering their babies in a busy labor room. One of them delivers a healthy baby, but the other two have to face a painful loss right then and there.
Ensayo
Written by Juan Ekis
Directed by Eric Villanueva dela Cruz
Lola Peds and Lola Tisha, both in their 60s, fight about an upcoming kissing scene they're about to present in acting class. Tisha suspects that this is just Peds' way to get his way with her, while Peds accuses Tisha of being unprofessional. Both eventually discover the true feelings they have for each other.
Tulad ng Dati
Written by JV Ibesate
Directed by Olive Nieto
Neil (Arnold Reyes) comes home after a 20-year imprisonment for rape charges. He reunites with his younger brother, Norman (Acey Aguilar), and the two are forced to face their darkest and most disturbing secrets.
SET D
Amoy Pulbos ang mga Alabok sa Ilalim ng Riles ng Tren
Written by Lino Balmes
Directed by Tess Jamias
Live-in partners Chona and Ramil argue about their misfortune of living under a railroad. With the passing of different trains, we're transported to different scenes on how they try to save themselves from poverty—one shows Ramil at the set of Pera o Bayong.
Marawi Musicale
Written by Tyron Casumpang
Directed by Ariel Yonzon
Playwright Tyron Casumpang brings the tragic situation in Marawi to the stage. Christian and Muslim volunteers fight a futile war against hunger in an evacuation center where children—at such young and innocent age—are forever traumatized by gunshots and air raids.
River Lethe
Written by Allan Lopez
Directed by Chris Martinez
Cancer patients Abe and Mara check in at a small hotel after a chemotherapy session. In a few hours, they dip in the proverbial River Lethe—where one drinks to forget—and explore and satiate their sexual needs.
SET E (Revisited)
Birdcage
Written by Rick Patriarca
Directed by Ian Segarra
Ed and Arthur, long-time employees in a BPO company, have seen the departure of many colleagues from work. When a young teammate resigns to pursue his passion, the two contemplate about their future and everything they have sacrificed for a high-paying job.
Sincerity Biker's Club
Written by Adrian Ho
Directed by Jenny Jamora
Barangay Sincerity's only bikers' club welcomes a new member: Louella, a widow from Manila. While five of the group's members are happy about the newest addition, one of them reveals that Louella is a rumored drug user and that her husband was killed during Operation Tokhang. This causes dissent in the club—others fear for their safety while others feel compassion for the widow.
Pilipinas Kong Mahal with All the Overcoat
Written by Eljay Castro Deldoc
Directed by Roobak Valle and Tuxqs Rutaquio
Ambet and Nato are behind a satirical news website that has become viral. Guilty with the fact that they're writing "fake news," Ambet wants out. Nato, on the other hand, wants to keep going especially now that business is doing good. Things take a turn for the worse when a client demands them to revise an important part of Philippine history by churning out another "fake news."
TICKET INFORMATION
- Regular Festival Pass - P1,600
- Premium Festival Pass - P2,400
- Regular Seats - P400/set
- Premium Seats - P600/set
The Virgin Labfest 2018 runs from June 27 to July 15 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Tickets, priced from P400 to P600, are available through Ticketworld and CCP Box Office. For more information, visit the Virgin Labfest on Facebook.
