VIRGIN LABFEST XX: HINOG

VIRGIN LABFEST XX: HINOG

PRESENTED BY:

Cultural Center of the Philippines,

Tanghalang Pilipino, and Writers Bloc, Inc.

DATE/TIME/ VENUE:

June 11 – 29, 2024 | 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM

Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater)

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:

The Virgin Labfest returns with HINOG, celebrating 20 years untried, untested, and unstaged works. Since 2005, it has nurtured emerging and established playwrights, directors, actors, and theater artists, becoming a vital platform for fearless Filipino storytelling.

Led by dynamic young festival directors Tess Jamias and Marco Viaña, this milestone year celebrates not just past achievements, but a growing legacy: maturing voices, evolving stories, and a festival expanding into new communities. VLF remains a powerful space for creativity, collaboration, and conversation.

VLF XX is co-presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Manila-based playwrights group Writer’s Bloc, Inc., and CCP’s resident theater company Tanghalang Pilipino.

FESTIVAL COMPONENTS:

  1. Featured Works – composed of 12 new one-act plays programmed into 4 sets of 3 plays, plus one set of 3 “revisited” plays.
  2. Staged Readings – stripped-down reading performances of selected scripts from the VLF XX submissions.
  3. Playwrights Fair – conversations with playwrights curated by award-winning writer Rody Vera.
  4. VLF Writing Fellowship Showcase – culmination of a two-week mentorship program on the study and practice of dramatic writing for the stage under the mentorship of award-winning playwright Glenn Sevilla Mas and direction by CCP Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan.
  5. Theater Talks – a forum series on creative and production processes in theatre and performance. Topics include Scenic Design, Community Theater, and Improv: Theater on the Spot.
  6. Dramaturgy Fellowship Exhibit – culmination of the Dramaturgy Fellowship that offers a glimpse into the theater-making process of the featured plays of VLF XX under the mentorship of Jonas Gabriel Garcia.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:

FESTIVAL COMPONENTS, SET LIST, & SYNOPSES:

MAIN FEATURES:

STAGED READINGS:

MAIN FEATURES
SET A: BUBOT YOJ’s TBT: TAKBO, BATANG TONDO

Directed by Chic San Agustin-De Guzman

A group of friends makes the most of their summer vacation with a mystery game. Albin, the policeman in their little world, is baffled when the real “suspect” isn’t punished.

Liane Carlo Suelan’s ANG BATA KAG ANG ILAGA

Directed by Sig Pecho

Set in St. Jerome’s Home for Children. One of the orphans, Isaac, misses his chance to take a baby rat in when it goes missing.

Ade Valenzona’s POLAR COORDINATES

Directed by aolo O’Hara

The play centers on Igo’s frustration toward polar coordinates. With the looming dilemma of repeating the 10th grade, he prepares for the final exams amid a family conflict.

SET B: MANIBALANG Eljay Castro Deldoc’s MINATING NI MARIAH ANG MANTO NG MOMMY NI MAMA MARY

Directed by Dexter Santos

Former con artist Mariah repents by joining the annual Lenten Exhibit. However, things turn when Mariah is accused of stealing the antique veil of St. Mary Magdalene.

Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo’s

UNANG ARAW

Directed by Cholo Ledesma

Four strangers accomplish a job for the mayor. As they drive into a remote forest in Mindanao, clashing political ideals and hidden motives are revealed.

Siege Malvar’s PRESIDENTIAL SUITE #2

Directed by John Moran

Senator Zaragoza, author of a landmark bill, is accused of money laundering during the senate hearing in.

SET C: KINALBURO Chris Joseph Junio’s MGA MAGINDARA SA SIYUDAD,

Entertainers Maureen and Maylene struggle to keep their shows afloat on their makeshift stage of plywood, bamboo, and iron scraps.

Imuthis’ (Harvey Rebaya Sallador’)

ANG PROBLEMA SA TROLLEY

Directed by Adrienne Vergara

The play unveils on Pandacan’s rails. An attempt to jump into the river comes with a damning secret, leaving the trolley driver and passenger wondering what to push next.

Rolin Migyuel Obina’s THE LATE MR. REAL

Directed by Maynard Manansala

Ex-spouses Boyet and Raquel face the tragedy of nostalgia and letting go in . Separated by COVID-19 isolation rooms, the two discuss the future of their only child, Carl.

SET D: MAY ASIM PA Nelsito Gomez ANNIVERSARY

Directed by Sarah Facuri

The story follows Rob to the cemetery on his wife’s death anniversary. An older woman approaches him, sparking a conversation on regrets, grief, and deep-seated beliefs.

Jobert Grey Landeza’s MOMMY G

Directed by Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan

Mommy G introduces a new family member on her 65th birthday, testing her bond with her children.

Ryan Machado’s DON’T MEOW FOR ME, CATRIONA

Director Toni Go-Yadao

A daughter finally pursues her dreams in. While waiting for the bus with her mother, she reflects on the complex familial love that binds and breaks families.

 

SET E: PANGHIMAGAS (REVISITED) Jhudiel Clare Sosa’s IDENTITE

Directed by Meann Espinosa

The play navigates the complicated relationship between a traditional mother and her now liberated daughter.

Joshua Lim So’s PAGKAPIT SA HANGIN

Directed by José Estrella

A patient’s relative catches the scheme of a doctor and his nurses. This play narrates the tough decisions made in public hospitals during the COVID-19 delta wave in 2021.

Elise Santos’ SA BABAENG LAHAT

Directed by Caisa Borromeo

Religion and sexuality intersect as it centers on the lives of three girls in a Catholic school.

STAGED READINGS
SET 1 Andy Abellar’s WALA GINAKAMATISAN ANG ITLOG

Directed by Kyrie Samodio

Matt Ordoñez’ PATAY NA SI RIZAL

Directed by Kat Batara

SET 2 M.E. Mejaro’s ISANG MALAKING TIPAK NG BATO SA GITNA NG ILOG

Directed by Victor Deseo

Rex Sandro Nepomuceno’s GANIMIDE

Directed by Arlo De Guzman

THEATER TALKS
SCENIC DESIGN

Tuxqs Rutaquio | Loy Arcenas

Moderator: Julio Garcia

COMMUNITY THEATER

Rica Palis | BJ Borja

Moderator: Neil Shane Alcalin

IMPROV: THEATER ON THE SPOT

Speakers & Moderator

TICKET INFORMATION:

Ticket Price: Php800 – Regular | Php1,000 – Premium

Discounts: 20% for Senior Citizens, PWD, Government and Military Personnel, National Athletes

Note: For shows whose tickets have all been committed (SOLD OUT); if festival pass holders do not arrive, additional tickets may be released 15 minutes before the start of the show.

Get your tickets at:

Ticketworld (Click or tap to open the VLF XX Hinog TicketWorld page)

For concerns on TicketWorld purchase, you may reach them through their email and contact numbers:

Information and Customer Service: tickets@ticketworld.com.ph

Telephone Hotlines:

Ticketing Hotline: +63.2.8891.9999

Fax: +63.2.8891.5634

Mobile Hotlines:

GLOBE +63.917.550.6997

SMART +63.999.954.5922

Tickets are also available at Ticket2Me:

Ticket2Me

You can now purchase your tickets using your credit card, debit card, PayPal, GCash, UnionBank online, and GrabPay. Alternatively, you can pay over the counter (OTC) at ECPay, 7-Eleven, M Lhuillier, and Cebuana Lhuillier.

 For Group Discounts, please email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph

FESTIVAL PASSES:

Regular Festival Pass (Premiere Week, Mid Week, Encore Week): Php3,200

Premium Festival Pass (Premiere Week, Mid Week, Encore Week): Php4,000

To avail of Festival Passes, fill out the appropriate form found here.

Festival Passes are available at the following:

Benefits

  • Priority lane entry until five (5) minutes before the show
  • A complimentary souvenir program
  • Free VLF merchandise
  • 10% discount on all CCP publications and merchandise
  • Complimentary perks from VLF concessionaires

Terms and Conditions

  • Each pass is good for one (1) premium/regular seat only
  • Free seating on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Lost or stolen pass must be reported to the CCP Box Office Authorized Personnel for replacement with a fee of P100.00
  • Non-Refundable
  • Festival schedules are subject to change without prior notice
  • CCP reserves the right to make changes to the festival pass entitlements as deemed necessary
  • CCP reserves the right to refuse admission or revoke the use of the pass should the holder refuse to follow CCP Theater Rules.

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