FRONT
COVER
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) was created in 1966 with the purpose of promoting and preserving
the best of Filipino arts and culture. Since then, the CCP has sought to embody the values of katotohanan
(truth), kagandahan (beauty) and kabutihan (goodness). The best artists from all over the country and around
the world have enthralled Filipinos onsite (at the CCP venues), offsite (at regional venues) and online (through
social media and the world wide web). The CCP has been at the forefront of culture and the arts for more than
50 years.
Performing arts companies representing dance, theater, and music reside within the CCP. These resident
companies present a regular season of productions, workshops and outreach performances.
The CCP also covers the film and broadcast arts as well as the literary and visual arts, encouraging the growth
of aspiring artists in these fields through numerous workshops, seminars, anthologies, exhibitions, symposia,
competitions, and award programs.
Through its Cultural Exchange Program, the CCP supports the growth and development of arts councils all over
the country through relevant workshops and seminars. With its exchange programs with various organizations
and institutions, Filipinos have been able to glimpse the beauty of different cultures from different countries,
witnessing many triumphant performances from highly acclaimed artists from all over the world.
The Arts Education Program nurtures the next generation of artists and audiences who will support their work
through training, exposure and audience development activities. The Cultural Content Program develops
engaging content for digital formats and new technologies.
The CCP continues to emphasize malasakit (compassion) in its programs that highlight the virtues of
galing, galang and dangal (excellence, respect and integrity), reaffirming its commitment to the growth and
development of the Filipino nation and its arts and culture.
THE CCP PRE-SHOW CHIMES
The CCP pre-show chimes carry the melody from Prelude Etnika, a composition for solo guitar written by Lucrecia R. Kasilag,
National Artist for Music and former Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The pre-show chimes launched
on September 8, 2004 replacing the simple bell chimes that signal the start of a program. The melody recalls the dong-dong-
ay air heard during social gatherings of the tribes in the Cordillera region.
The Virgin Labfest finally returns to the stage.
For the past two years, the festival of untried, untested and unstaged plays
pushed the boundaries and streamed the performances in various digital
platforms.
While the previous runs proved to be successful, there is nothing
like watching the actors bring the stories written by up-and-coming
playwrights to life in a live performance.
After holding on firmly to our artistic expressions and embracing displaced
artists and cultural workers, we breathe a collective sigh of hope.
While we are still reeling from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, CCP
slowly eases up to open our doors to the public, with safety protocols in
place.
In this trying time, arts is and will always be our refuge, our voice.
Watching live performance together in an intimate space creates solidarity
and calls to imagine a meaningful world we know is possible.
See you in the theater, and breathe deeply to brace on!
ARSENIO J. LIZASO CHRIS B. MILLADO
President Artistic Director
TANGHALANG PILIPINO was founded in 1987 as the resident theater company of the Cultural Center
of the Philippines (CCP). It aims to promote Philippine theater that is rooted in centuries-old Filipino
culture and history while being responsive to evolving contemporary society.
Tanghalang Pilipino is unique among other theater groups in the Philippines as it maintains a core
of actors whose full-time training in acting is subsidized by the company. Known as the Tanghalang
Pilipino Actors Company, these actors are tapped for the company’s season repertoire and special
performances. The actors who have graduated from the Actors Company now comprise the most
sought-after stable of talents in television, cinema and commercial advertising.
Tanghalang Pilipino maintains the highest standards in artistic discipline, technical skill and
professional conduct. It presents an annual season of plays at the CCP consisting of original
Filipino works, both classic and contemporary, as well as translations and adaptations of theater
materials from Asia and other parts of the globe. It also conducts regular theater education and
training programs in acting, directing, playwriting and production management. These programs are
open to students, non-professional theater enthusiasts, corporate clients and professional theater
practitioners.
In addition to honing skills for onstage performance, Tanghalang Pilipino also commits itself to the
development of an active audience for Filipino theater through its nurture of the native language as its
primary medium for its productions and by bringing its performances to venues outside its home at the
CCP – including non-traditional performance spaces – to various parts of the country and overseas,
especially locations with large Filipino communities.
TP has successfully presented more than 200 full productions within 27 seasons while generating one
of the best audience attendance records among CCP’s resident companies. Its earliest repertoire was
guided by the vision of Nonon Padilla, its founding Artistic Director (1987-2002), and sustained by
Herbert Go (2002-2006), and Dennis Marasigan (2006-2008). Tanghalang Pilipino is currently on its
35TH Theater Season under the artistic direction of Fernando Josef.
By the time we open the 17th Season of Virgin Labfest (VLF) in June, we
would already have our 17th President of the Philippines. By then, the
possible scenario would either be, makakaHINGA tayo ng maluwag, o
mahihirapan tayo sa pagHINGA.
In the past couple of years, with all the different kinds of calamities,
natural (typhoons, floods, landslides, earthquakes, climate change), or
man-made (ineptness, corruption and indecency of the so-called leaders,
extrajudicial killings, social fragmentation and divisiveness, environmental
destruction, inequality, poverty, oppression), plus the pestilence brought
by Covid 19, not only to our country, but to all of humanity, many of us feel
like we’re hitting rock bottom.
Is there hope?
All throughout the dark ages of human history, the artists with their
art works have been recorded as the sector that accomplished great
masterpieces that seem to be products of strong human beings’ natural
power to BREATH hope, love, beauty and creativity, even when trapped
in miserable, suffocating, life-threatening realities. Artists always get
to catch their breath and willfully create obras, even while gasping for
BREATH. And they, the artists and their works, become immortal.
For our 17th VLF Season, I urge the virgins, let’s do this with tenderness,
love and affection. Even with the evil forces hovering around us these days,
HINGA lang at lumikha.
IPANALONA10ITO. RADIKAL ang MAGMAHAL.
NANDING JOSEF
Artistic Director, Tanghalang Pilipino
The Writer’s Bloc is an independent organization of established and aspiring playwrights that seeks to create a
fresh vision and to define new perspectives in contemporary Philippine Drama. Its members, including some of
the country’s best and most promising playwrights today, gather every other Sunday to read and critically assess
new works.
The organization traces its roots in 1989, to an informal group of in-house writers of the Philippine Educational
Theater Association (PETA) who bonded together to study the craft of playwriting. Under the auspices of PETA, a
program geared towards the acquisition of dramaturgical skills and the development of proper theatre attitudes
among promising new talents was developed. Under the guidance of Rene O. Villanueva and coordinator Charley
dela Paz, the Bloc served as regular venue for the critical assessment of new works and conducted rehearsed
readings, mounted laboratory productions, assisted playwrights in marketing and promoting their plays, and
provided facilitators of playwriting workshops for other groups.
The Bloc continued to flourish under Rody Vera who became coordinator upon dela Paz’ sudden death in 1995.
Under his leadership, the group organized and hosted the very first festival with PETA in 1998. In 2004, the
Bloc became an independent group and in January 2005, released its first anthology 10x10x10: Sampung
Tigasampung Minutong Dula ng Sampung Mandudula.
Vera continues to lead the Writer’s Bloc as chairman of its Executive Committee, composed of sub-committee
heads Njel de Mesa, Alfonso I. Dacanay and Rogelio Braga, associate administrator Liza C. Magtoto, treasurer
Terence Co and legal adviser Nicolas Pichay.
Ang muling pagbubukas ng tanghalan ang matagal nang inaasam ng
bawat alagad ng sining sa teatro. Ang pagbabalik ng minamahal naming
gawain, ang muling pagsilay sa aming identidad bilang mga artista ng
bayan. Sigurado ako, marami sa mga tumangkilik ng teatro ay naghintay
din ng mga araw, buwan at taon; sa buong panahong iyon inaabangan na
maranasang muli ang naiibang galak ng live performance.
May ilan sa amin ang nalungkot, nagtanong kung ito na ba ang simula ng
kamatayan ng teatro. Pero mas higit na marami ang nananalig dahil mas
naniniwala tayong ilang beses nang namamatay ang sining na ito at lagi’t
lagi namang muling nabubuhay!
At ang tinatampok ng Virgin Labfest, ang mga mandudula, ay nagpatuloy
sa pagbungkal at pagpatubo ng kani-kanilang mga obra, sa gitna ng
pandemya at ng namumuong sigwa sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng ating
pulitika. Marami pa rin sa kanila ang lumahok upang maihayag ang
kanilang isip at damdaming nakahabi sa kanilang mga dula.
Ngayong ika-labimpitong edisyon ng Virgin Labfest, matutunghayan natin
ang sampung bagong dula na nalikom mula sa isang daan at walumpung
(180) inilahok na dula noong 2021. Dalawang dula naman na nagmula
sa VLF 16 ang magkukumpleto ng opisyal na lineup nitong taon. Ang
dalawang dulang ito (Bituing Marikit ni Bibeth Orteza at ‘Nay May Dala
Akong Pansit ni Juan Ekis) ay hindi nakapagtanghal sa kabuuan ng
dalawang taon ng pandemya. Ngayon ang kanilang kaganapan.
Gusto naming pasalamatan ang lahat ng lumahok, tumulong, sumuporta
at patuloy na sumusuporta sa Virgin Labfest. Bawat isa sa atin ang
nagbuo ng taunang festival na ito, na siyang tinatanaw ng lahat sa atin
bilang isa sa marurubdob na pulso ng teatro sa Pilipinas. Mabuhay tayong
lahat at maligayang panonood.
RODY VERA
Writer’s Bloc, Inc.
The Virgin Labfest is a festival of new, unpublished, unstaged
works by Philippine playwrights now on its 17th year.
It is an annual partnership of the Writers Bloc, Tanghalang
Pilipino and the Cultural Center of the Philippines that
showcases a crop of new short/one act plays in barebones
productions. In addition, there will be a fellowship program
where young writers are mentored by their seniors, and a
playwrights fair. While many of these playwrights are young
and have provided new voices in Philippine theater, some of
the participants are veteran playwrights and dramatists who
have written new works heretofore unpublished or unstaged.
Various dramatic styles ranging from the conventional one
act form to more experimental, devised and so called avant
garde works have been performed in the previous years
of the annual event. A few have even received offers for
adaptation into film. This two week event has developed
an audience of students, artists, film makers and theater
enthusiasts and has drawn new audiences due to the
excitement and dynamism of the works performed. Also,
a few of these works have eventually garnered awards in
several literary and dramatic competitions such as the
Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, Philstage Gawad
Buhay and Aliw Awards.
The Virgin Labfest seeks to explore new directions in
contemporary Philippine Theater. The program’s avid
encouragement to develop new and exciting, sometimes
risky ideas and concepts into full productions is becoming
its identifying mark in the Philippine Theater calendar.
MENSAHE PARA SA VIRGIN LABFEST 17
Inilayo man tayo ng pandemya sa mga tanghalan, hindi tayo napigilang
maghatid ng mga kwento sa kahit ano mang paraan. Nitong nakaraang
dalawang taon ng pagtatanghal sa mga sariling tahanan ay nagawang
matutunan ng mga artista ng bayan, na gumamit ng iba’t ibang teknolohiya
at sumubok ng iba’t ibang plataporma, mapa-online man, radyo, o maiiksing
pelikula, para maipagpatuloy ang pakikipag-kwentuhan sa mga manonood.
Lahat ng ito ay mga bagong malikhaing sandata para sa muling pagbubukas
at pagbabalik ng mga manlilikha at mga manonood sa ika-17 edisyon ng Virgin
Labfest at ika-36 na taon ng Tanghalang Pilipino.
Sa taong ito’y ramdam na natin ang muling pagbubukas ng mundo ng sining at
kultura. At sa gitna ng kawalan ng katiyakan at mga matitinding pagsubok sa
ating bayan ay kailangan nating huminga ng malalim at muling maranasang
mabuhay.
Hinga… para sa pagbabalik sa tanghalan habang itinutuloy ang mga likhang mapapanood sa mga sariling
tahanan.
Hinga… para sa labindalawang bagong dula na bibigyang buhay para sa mga manonood na dadayo sa
Tanghalang Huseng Batute ng CCP at ihahatid rin sa pamamagitan ng online streaming.
Hinga… para sa pagpapatuloy ng edukasyon sa sining sa pamamagitan ng Playwright’s Fair, Fellowship
Program, at ng ating virgin component na Theater Talks.
Malalim na hinga… bilang pagpupugay sa mga matitibay na staff at artist-managers ng Virgin Labfest at
Tanghalang Pilipino na buong pusong tumutugon sa lahat ng pasikot-sikot na hamon ng festival taun-taon.
Higit pang malalim na hinga … bilang pagbubunyi sa lahat ng mga manunulat, mga direktor, mga taga-
disenyo, at mga aktor na parating pinipili ang Virgin Labfest para pagbuhusan at pag-alayan ng kanilang utak,
puso, at husay sa pagkukwento para sa bayan.
Tuloy-tuloy na paghinga… bilang pasasalamat sa mga manonood na walang humpay na sumusuporta.
Unang hakbang pa lang ang Virgin Labfest sa pagbabalik natin sa tanghalan, sa pagpapatuloy ng ating
kwentuhan, at sa pakikipaglaban natin para sa katotohanan. Kaya, sa gitna ng kawalan ng katiyakan, ay muli’t
muli tayong huminga nang malalim at muli’t muling danasin ang mabuhay. Maligayang panonood!
MARCO VIAÑA
VLF 17: HINGA Festival Co-Director
Tanghalang Pilipino Associate Artistic Director
NOTES FROM THE FESTIVAL CO-DIRECTOR Dulang Parang Walang Pinag-aralan?) are plays set
VLF 17: HINGA marks in schools and involve life lessons that must be learnt
the return of the or unlearnt.
festival to live onsite In VLF 17: HINGA we introduce Theatre Talks, a forum
performances. After series that engages in conversations around, and
two years of online with theatre. Practitioners share their expertise and
performances and experience on different aspects of performance to
the streaming of underline the need to continue exploring other ways of
archived works, we creating. Together with the Playwright’s Fair and the
are going back to the Writing Fellowship Program, Theatre Talks continues
theatre, back to the to strengthen the educational thrust of the festival.
Tanghalang Huseng The emphasis on education and training is not
Batute, the festival’s confined to offerings for audiences but to the artists
first home. and production staff as well. This is not only
evidenced in the intensified practice of welcoming
The theme HINGA was chosen to underline our need to young designers, directors and stage managers
breathe, to rest, to blow off steam, to be present and working alongside their more experienced colleagues
to feel alive. After being isolated in our houses, we but especially in the internal workshops on Safety
now focus on the importance of community — the Protocols and Emergency Procedures, Intimacy, and
need to be sharing space and time and reveling in Gender Sensitivity and the Safe Space Act of 2019.
one another’s presence — the urgency of theatre and The pandemic has reminded us of the importance of
performance. safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of
In VLF 17: HINGA, we reintroduce the practice of all the people involved in the festival. And this active
grouping the plays in sets under shared themes and concern for safety (coupled with production costs) has
other commonalities. This is a curatorial attempt to compelled us to limit the live onsite performances.
give audiences some idea of what to expect. Under Moreover, also as learnt from the experiences of the
the umbrella of adages and idioms on life, deciding past two years, the plays will also be recorded as
how best to group the 12 new one-act plays was live then streamed online. In VLF17:HINGA, we return
admittedly challenging as the featured works’ themes to tried and tested practices as we incorporate the
are diverse and, at times, overlapping. Moreover, innovations of the past few years. Hybridity is key.
we’ve added Filipino titles which are free translations; Now, more than ever, art that questions, provokes
an attempt to approximate the affect of English and inspires is needed. Theatre and performance-
titles while also employing a word that has the making is vital in the growth and shaping of our
onomatopoeic sound of an exhale. culture, our people. Let us continue breathing,
Set A: Life is Full of Surprises (Hala!: Mga Dulang breathing life, breathing hope. Welcome to VLF 17:
Sandaling Napigil ang Hininga) are stories that HINGA!
revolve around the unexpected turns our lives
sometimes take and the learning that is needed to TESS JAMIAS
handle them. Set B: Life is Strange Fiction (Hindi VLF 17: HINGA Festival Co-Director
nga?! Weh?: Kataka-taka Trilogy) are plays that try
to turn the famous adage on its head as sometimes,
fiction is stranger than life. Set C: Life Choices (Hay,
Buhay…: Hanggang May Ihihinga Trilogy) are stories
of characters who find themselves at a crossroad
and having to make decisions about their lives.
And finally, Set D: School of Life (Hay! Skul!: Mga
FESTIVAL
PERFORMANCES
SET A
Ma. Cecilia de la Rosa MGA BALO
Bibeth Orteza BITUING MARIKIT
Eljay Castro Deldoc WALANG BAGO SA DULANG ITO
SET B
Jerry O’Hara LIBERATION
BJ Crisostomo ABSURDO: EVENT DAY
Juan Ekis NAY, MAY DALA AKONG PANCIT
SET C
Anthony Kim Vergara STUDENT’S HANDBOOK
Mikaela Regis UNICA HIJAS
Andrew Bonifacio Clete PUNKS NOT DEAD
SET D
Ryan Machado HULING HARAYA NINA ISCHIA AT EMETERIA
George Vail Kabristante BIENVENUTA AL LIDO DI VENEZIA
Dustin Celestino FERMATA
TANGHALANG HUSENG BATUTE (CCP STUDIO THEATER)
JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE
16 17 18 19 23 24 25 26
2:00pm A B C D C D A B
7:00pm A B C D C D A B
SCHEDULE
PLAYWRIGHT’S FAIR
June 17, 18, 24 & 25, 2022 | 5:00 PM
LIVE AT TANGHALANG MANUEL CONDE
(CCP DREAM THEATER)
June 29 - July 3 | 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM
ONLINE STREAMING AT THE CCP & VLF
FACEBOOK PAGES
WRITING FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM
SHOWCASE: June 26, 2022 | 5:00 PM
CCP PROMENADE
THEATER TALKS
June 20, 21 & 22 | 8:00 PM
ONLINE STREAMING AT THE CCP & VLF
FACEBOOK PAGES
THEATER
TALKS
The Virgin Labfest’s newest component is a forum series on
theatre and creative processes that will be streamed during
the festival. In these talks, theatre practitioners share their
experience and expertise as they take in questions from the
audience to elicit a lively dialogue on contemporary theatre-
making.
Curation & Programming Tess Jamias
Stage Management Jerome Aytona
Editing Zayra Zobel Roxas Carreon
OBS Operation Rodel Valente
Joshua Orteza
STHOEUANTDREFOR Episode 1: Sound for Theater
In this episode, Teresa Barrozo, TJ Ramos and Jethro
June 20 | 8:00 PM Joaquin discuss their praxis on sound as an audio-
visual experience in theatre production. They will also
SPEAKERS: share their own experiences or life stories with sound
designing. The talk will be moderated by Christel
JETHRO JOAQUIN Manalo.
TJ RAMOS
TERESA BARROZO
MODERATED BY
CHRISTEL MANALO
JETHRO JOAQUIN
Jethro Joaquin has been involved in theatre sound design work for more than 20 years, collaborating with leading theater
companies of Metro Manila that include Repertory Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino, PETA, Ballet Philippines and Dulaang
UP. He is a 3-time PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay! awardee for his outstanding sound design works in Hamlet, Equus and Agnes
of God, all produced by Repertory Philippines. A lecturer of the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts in
UP Diliman handling Theatre Sound Design classes, he has written a number of research publications and essays for the
CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, UP-CIS, and Philippine Humanities Review among others.
A professional member of the OISTAT Sound Working Group, Sound Technology Institute of the Philippines (SOUNDTECHPHIL)
and the Audio Engineering Society (AES) respectively, he has conducted sound seminars on theatre sound locally and
internationally.
TJ RAMOS
TJ is a freelance Sound Designer and Music Arranger with 12 years of experience working different Theatre production
companies such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino, Ballet Philippines, Repertory Philippines,
PETA, among others. He specializes mainly on music/sound designing theatrical productions but he can also musically
direct as well. That said, he has garnered 4 Outstanding Sound Design awards and an Outstanding Musical Direction
award at the PHILSTAGE: Gawad Buhay Awards. He is a teacher at Meridian International College (Theater Arts Department)
and at Centro Escolar University (Conservatory of Music). He is forever grateful to his mentors: Mr. Jed Balsamo for music,
and Mr. Jethro Joaquin for sound design. He enjoys playing Genshin Impact and is a Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star
Wars geek.
TERESA BARROZO
TERESA BARROZO (b.1982, Manila) is a composer, sound designer, and a curious listener with a wide range of work for
film, theatre and dance. Past works for theater include Games People Play; Red Turnip Theater’s 33 Variations, Tribes,
Constellations,The Nether; PETA’s Bona, Under My Skin, The Tempest, 3 Stars and a Sun; Repertory Philippines’ Next Fall;
Tanghalang Ateneo’s Marisol, Ang Oresteyas, Middle Finger, Boy; Dulaang UP’s Measure for Measure, Tisoy Brown; Virgin
Labfest’s Papaano Turuan ang Babae Humawak ng Baril, Kafatiran, Mga Kuneho, Isang Daan, The Valley Mission Care,
Macho Dancer; Sipat Lawin Ensemble’s Haring Tubul and Battalia Royale.
DRAMATURGICAL Episode 2: Dramaturgical Practices in the Philippines
PRACTICES IN In this episode, S Anril Tiatco, Dominique La Victoria
THE PHILIPPINES and Ness Roque shares and discusses their praxis as
dramaturgs working in the Philippines. The speakers
June 21 | 8:00 PM discuss various topics from the introduction of
dramaturgy to the training and values necessary to
SPEAKERS: become a dramaturg and their tasks in productions;
from the negotiations of shared boundaries with
S ANRIL P. TIATCO directors and playwrights to the application of
DOMINIQUE LA VICTORIA dramaturgical practices outside theatre. The talk will be
NESS ROQUE moderated by Ina Azarcon-Bolivar.
MODERATED BY
INA AZARCON-BOLIVAR
S ANRIL P. TIATCO
Sir Anril Tiatco is chairperson and professor of theatre and performance at the University of the Philippines Diliman
Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts. His most recent dramaturgical credits include the Filipino
adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, Goethe’s Faust, and Eimear McBride’s A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing for Dulaang UP.
He also dramaturgically curated national festivals such The National Sarsuwela Festival in 2009, Panahon ng Luwalhati in
2016, Salaysayan in 2017, Katawan-Kathawan in 2018. Tiatco has a PhD in Theatre Studies from the National University of
Singapore and he was a visiting fellow at the University of Manchester to study dramaturgy and cosmopolitan cultures.
DOMINIQUE LA VICTORIA
Dominique La Victoria is a playwright, dramaturg, author, and performance scholar with expertise in mixed media
arts, object theatre, and digital/social media spatial integration. Her research interests and creative experience are in
contemporary adaptation of classical works, sleep, new play development, devised theatre, dramaturgy in the digital
age, and distance creation and collaboration. She has industry experience in digital marketing and social media brand
management.
NESS ROQUE
Ness Roque (b. 1991. Angeles City, Philippines) is an actor, dramaturg, researcher, and educator. Her portfolio includes
acting work for theater and film, contemporary performance projects, as well as cultural work for advocacy-based
interdisciplinary art projects.
She is a co-founder of Salikhain Kolektib, a collective of artists and researchers using art and science for community-
based education and development focusing on issues on climate and the environment, with projects in rural areas in the
Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Ness is currently pursuing further studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts under the MEXT scholarship grant.
INA AZARCON-BOLIVAR
Ina Azarcon-Bolivar is a graduate of BA Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines Visayas, and is
pursuing her masters in Theatre Arts in UP DIliman. Currently she is a freelance actress and a dramaturg. Her recent
on-stage dramaturgical work include “Nana Rosa” and “Ang Dalagita’y Isang Bagay na ‘Di Buo’ (for Dulaang UP); and
“Larong Demonyo” and “Labor Room’’ (for the Virgin Labfest). During the pandemic, she has also collaborated with
other artists for virtual productions, including “Dapithapon” for the Virgin Labfest, and several virtual plays for Dulaang
Laboratoryo.
COLLECTIVE Episode 3: Collective Creative Processes
CREATIVE In this episode, the invited speakers, José Estrella,
PROCESSES Vic Villareal and Gian Carlo de Jesus share and discuss
their explorations into alternative modes of production
June 22 | 8:00 PM in theatre such as devising, machinating, gamifying
and immersive experiences which rely heavily on
SPEAKERS: dramaturgical techniques and the creative energies of
their collaborators and communities. The talk will be
JOSÉ ESTRELLA moderated by Issa Manalo Lopez.
VIC VILLAREAL
GIAN CARLO DE JESUS
MODERATED BY
ISSA MANALO LOPEZ
JOSÉ ESTRELLA
José is a Professor at the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts, University of the Philippines Diliman. She
obtained her MFA in directing from Columbia University through a Fulbright scholarship.
José served as Artistic Director of Dulaang UP (2001-2007), Executive and Associate Artistic Director of Tanghalang Pilipino
(2009-2010), and Associate Artistic Director for the Virgin Labfest (2009-2011).
She is currently the Director of the UP Theater Complex and Advisory Board Member (for Theater) of the UP Diliman Office
for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA).
In 2007, José was awarded an Asian Cultural Council grant. She was conferred as University Artist by the UP Arts
Productivity System and also received the One UP Professional Chair in Theater Directing (2016-2018 & 2019-2021). José is
also a recipient of the UP Centennial Professiorial Chair (2017-2018, 2018-2019).
VIC VILLAREAL
Vic Villareal has worked as Director, Dramaturg, & Sound Designer for theatre companies such as Dulaang UP, FEU Theatre
Guild, Tanghalang Pilipino and for plays in festivals such as Karnabal, Manila X, and The Virgin Labfest.
GIAN CARLO DE JESUS
Gian Carlo U. de Jesus currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agribusiness Management and
Entrepreneurship of the College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños. He is also the
Chief Playmaker of Balaiwari Immersive and Gamified Experiences, a creative studio that designs playable experiences
for education, training, theater and tourism, historical events, among others. He is a recipient of the Dr. Perry Ong
Conservation Arts Fellowship from the Forest Foundation Philippines. Prof. de Jesus earned the degree MA Applied
Imagination in the Creative Industries from the University of Arts London with distinction and with a UAL Vice Chancellors’
Scholarship. He is also the first Filipino to be nominated for the Indiecade Award, an annual international competition for
game design in 2021. Prof. de Jesus is also a member of the US-based Playable Theater Project, a movement which aims to
popularize immersive experiences and gamified entertainment in the world.
PLAYWRIGHT'S
FAIR
As part of the Virgin Labfest 17, the 4th Playwrights Fair will be held online and
onsite. It is a playwright-centered fair featuring Filipino writers from various parts
of the country. They will share their works and expertise about playwriting to estab-
lished and new audiences.
The VLF Playwright’s Fair 2022 showcases writing processes for theater. You will get
to listen to experts on Playwriting for Children and Young Audiences, Playwrights
from the University Theatres, Adapting Literature/Fiction to the Stage and many
more. It will feature a session to commemorate the life and works of the great Rene
Villanueva, a productive playwright, mentor, and friend to many. The VLF
Playwrights Fair 2022 is free and open to public.
Direction Rody Vera
Coordination Beverly Wico-Siy
Ariane Sagales
Stage Management Danaraye Torres
LIVE
Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Dream Theater) | 5:00 PM
June 17 CRITIC’S CHOICE | BEST PLAYS OF THE VLF
Panel: Gibbs Cadiz & Chunchi Cabasaan
June 18 PLAYWRIGHTS IN THE ACADEME
Panel: Guelan Luarca, Vladimeir Gonzales & Urie Clamor
June 24 ADAPTING LITERATURE | FICTION TO STAGE
Panel: Alvin Dacanay, Eljay Castro Deldoc & May Cardoso
June 25 SCRIPTWORK: DIRECTORS TAKE ON NEW WORK
BY PLAYWRIGHTS
Panel: Tuxqs Rutaquio, Roobak Valle & Issa Manalo Lopez
ONLINE
at the CCP and VLF Facebook Pages
June 29 7:00PM HANGO SA TOTOONG BUHAY
June 30 8:30PM Panel: Dustin Celestino, Layeta Bucoy & Nicolas Pichay
7:00PM FOLKLORE IN PLAYWWRITING
July 1 8:30PM Panel: Jerry Respeto & Carlo Vergara
July 2 7:00PM PLAYWRITING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
July 3 8:30PM Panel: Luna Inocian & Christine Bellen
7:00PM CRITIC’S CHOICE | BEST PLAYS OF THE VLF
8:30PM Online Streaming Premiere
7:00PM REMEMBERING RENE VILLANUEVA
8:30PM Panel: Luna Sicat-Cleto & Jun Lana
PLAYWRIGHTS IN THE ACADEME
Online Streaming Premiere
WRITING MUSICALS
Panel: Ejay Yatco
ADAPTING LITERATURE | FICTION TO STAGE
Online Streaming Premiere
TEACHING PLAYWRITING
Panel: Glenn Sevilla Mas
SCRIPTWORK: DIRECTORS TAKE ON NEW WORK BY PLAYWRIGHTS
Online Streaming Premiere
Critics’ Choice: Best Plays of the VLF
Two critics share their list of the top ten plays of the entire Virgin Labfest series
(2005 to the present)
GIBBS CADIZ CHUNCHI CABASAN
GIBBS CADIZ is a veteran editor and Chunchi is a certified missosologist
writer. He was formerly Opinion editor of and an associate professor holding
the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and before M.A and PhD degrees in Southeast
that was the Theater editor and reviewer, Asian Arts and Culture. He had done
and also a senior desk editor, in the numerous productions in Tanghalang
Lifestyle section of the paper. Pilipino working as an actor and stage/
production manager. He has his own archive of VLF
documents and programs, being its pioneer actor since its
inception last 2005.
Playwrights in the Academe
Writers share their thought and processes on writing plays in university theaters
GUELAN LUARCA Josephine as Padre Sanchez, Martir ng Golgota as Ignatius,
Guelan Luarca is a published playwright We Tell the Story as Papa Ge and Tonton Julian, Deliryo sa El
and translator, actor and director for niño as Ikapati and Mayor, Buwan at Baril 2018 & 2019 as
the stage. He has twice won First Prize Interogeytor written by Chris Millado and directed by Nazer
in the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Salcedo. He was also an actor in Hero’s Quest. As a Director
Awards for Literature for his one-act and Playwright he uniquely made and directed various
plays “Mga Kuneho” and “Bait,” which plays such as: The Last Confession, Si Matya at Si Helen,
both premiered at the Virgin Labfest. He recently adapted Heaven Sent, Recitation sa Rm. 118, Los Secretos Ocultos,
and directed Desaparesidos, based on the novel by Lualhati Isang Sundalo at Tatlong Aswang, Alter(nate), Expose: The
Bautista (cited in the Best Theater of the Decade by The Susan Ortega Secret Files, Ilaw Haligi Kayamanan, Tres
Philippine Daily Inquirer) about the underground struggle Rosas, StarAngels, Habilin, Dragon Queen, Syota-Syota,
during the Marcos dictatorship, and an adaptation of Mike Nanlaban, Plate#WGR 535, and Overnight sa Babaeng
de Leon’s film Batch 81, under the title AKO: Alpha Kappa may Dilaw na Pamaypay. Champion in STRASUC Short &
Omega (cited as Best Original Filipino Full-length Material Sweet Play category “Manlaban, Taya!” (2019) and 1st
in 2019 by The Philippine Daily Inquirer). He last directed Place in STRASUC Short&SweetPlay Musical category “Mga
Malou Jacob’s Batang Mujahideen for Tanghalang Pilipino, Iyak ni Maria” (2019 He is currently working as Artistic
about the Abu Sayyaf conflict in Mindanao. He also recently Director of the Official Dance Theater Organization in Cavite
won the Philstage Gawad Buhay! Award for Best Translation State University, Student Artiste Society (St.Ar.S), Artistic
for William Shakespeare’s Coriolano (2019), which was Choreographer and Resident Actor in Teatro Lasalliana at
staged by Tanghalang Pilipino under the direction of Carlos De La Salle University-Dasmariñas,
Siguion-Reyna. He teaches Directing, Shakespearean Cavite and Founder and Artistic Director of Dulaang
Performance, Playwriting, and Theater Theory at the Caviteño.
Fine Arts Department, Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila
University. He is the current artistic director of Tanghalang VLADIMEIR B. GONZALES
Ateneo, the longest-running college theater company in the Si Vlad Gonzales ay propesor sa
Ateneo. Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan
URIE CLAMOR ng Pilipinas, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas
Mr. Romalc “Urie” D. Clamor is now Diliman. Kabahagi rin siya ng Likhaan:
17 years in the world of theater the UP Institute of Creative Writing.
as a freelance actor, playwright, May interes at mga pag-aaral siya
choreographer and director. He took sa fan writing, fan culture, video games, pagsasalin at
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication adaptasyon. Sa teatro, ang karanasan at praktika niya
at Cavite State University,Main Campus. ay nagsimula at mas madalas na napupunta sa mga
He had been to plays and had portrayed challenging roles proyektong adaptasyon, para sa mga klase o grupong
including: Mariang Sinukuan as Juan and Biag-ni-Lam-ang nakabase sa mga akademikong institusyon.
as Manggagamot under Student Artisté Society (St.Ar.S).
Teatro Lasalliana’s Himala the musical as Igmeng Bugaw
(2011) and Pari (2014), Romeo and Juliet as Fray Lorenzo,
Adapting Literature/Fiction to Stage
Playwrights share their experiences/creative process in
adapting fiction to the stage.
MAY CARDOSO first book of plays is now available.
ELJAY DELDOC ALVIN I. DACANAY
Eljay Castro Deldoc’s most notable Si Alvin I. Dacanay ay isang
plays were mounted at The Virgin manunulat at editor na tubong
Labfest of the Cultural Center of Pasig. Nagtapos ng Mass
Philippines. His accolades include Communication sa St. Joseph’s
the grand prize for the 2018 Carlos College of Quezon City at nag-
Palanca Memorial Awards for the aral ng malikhaing pagsulat sa
one-act play category and the 2021 Writers Prize of Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa Diliman. Ang kanyang
the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for mga kuwento sa Ingles ay nailathala sa iba’t ibang
plays written in Filipino. A few of his works were also magazine at ang kanyang dalawang dula — kabilang
staged in California, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. His na rito ang “First Snow of November” — ay nailathala
children’s stories, poems, and essays were published ng Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas. Kasalukuyang
in local anthologies, online journals, and literary nagtatrabaho bilang editor sa The Manila Times.
magazines. Published by Balangay Productions, his
Scriptwork: Directors Take on New Work by Playwrights
Directors talk about their processes and approaches to directing new works by playwrights.
TUXQS RUTAQUIO MARIA STELLA ROSSA LOPEZ
ROOBAK J. VALLE Si Issa Manalo Lopez ay isang
Roobak has been connected with the independent Performance-maker,
Gantimpala Theater Foundation for Theatre Director at Guro. Interesado
35 years and now serves as its Ad siyang makipag-kolab sa paggawa
Hoc Chairman of the Board. He has ng “socially-engaged works” at
worked as an actor, choreographer, inaaral niya ang kontribusyon ng
scriptwriter, stage manager, kwentong babae sa pagbubuo ng social history. Sa
ngayon tinatapos niya ang kanyang MA at nagtuturo
production designer and workshop teacher in several siya sa Departamento ng Komunikasyong Pasalita at
of the company’s productions. As one of Gantimpala’s Sining Panteatro sa UP Diliman. Naging bahagi siya
resident directors, Roobak has directed curriculum- ng Virgin Labfest bilang direktor ng “My Padir Is an
oriented plays several national and historical OCW” ni George Vail Kabristante, “Balunbalunan-
events. Aside from his regular work at Gantimpala, bingibingihan” ni Debbie Ann Tan, “Talo ang Walang
Roobak still finds time to venture into community Alam” ni Jom Sanchez at co-director siya ng “Labor
theater works. He has directed several fund-raising Room” ni Maki dela Rosa.
productions for churches, schools and communities
utilizing amateur talents yet producing professional
productions. He also does corporate events, launches
and sales conferences. His directorial expertise was
also seen outside the country. Roobak also appears
in movies, television and commercials. He is best
remembered by kids for his role as UGATPUNO in
ABS-CBN Foundation’s “SINESKWELA”.
Hango sa Totoong Buhay
Playwrights talk about writing drama based on real lives and events.
Challenges and approaches, legal and other implications.
DUSTIN CELESTINO LAYETA BUCOY
Dustin Celestino is a filmmaker, Layeta P. Bucoy is an Associate Professor
composer, and educator. In 2021, he was at the University of the Philippines
selected as one of 20 semifinalists to Los Baños. She completed her PhD in
attend the Cinemalaya Film Lab, from Literature (outstanding dissertation) at
where the finalists of the 2023 edition De La Salle University where she also
of the festival will be selected. In 2020, earned her MFA in Creative Writing (with
his series “Philippine Gothic: Habang Buhay” was selected high distinction). She received her BA
as one of the finalists to compete in the CineFilipino Film in Communication Arts (cum laude) in UP Los Baños. She
Festival 2020 (cancelled due to Covid-19). In 2019, he is a five-time winner of the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial
was selected to compete in the Cinema One Originals Film Awards for Literature. Her scripts also won in the Philstage
Festival 2019, as the writer and director of “Utopia” (2019) Gawad Buhay Awards, ABS-CBN Scriptwriting Contest, and
for which he was nominated in 2 categories: Best Director the UP-VIVA Scriptwriting Contest. She served as screenplay
and Best Screenplay. The film won the festival’s coveted writer for Rigodon, Edna, Melodrama Negra, Lakbay2Love,
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE. In 2018, his Series Treatment and Estamos Llenos, and Best of Show. She also served as
Pilot Episode, “Per Kilo” was selected as a TOP 10 FINALIST writer of the noontime television show It’s Showtime! for the
IN ASIA, as part of the 2018 HOOQ Filmmakers Guild. From Magpasikat segments of Ipad and Ipis Loves Higad. She
2017 to 2019 he has won the TOP PRIZE three times in was an erotic novelist and rom-com writer for PinoyParazzi.
the Carlos Palanca Awards for his plays, “Ang Duyan ng As an in-house writer for Psicom Publishing House, she
Magiting” (“The Cradle of the Brave”), “Ang Pangahas na contributed short stories to True Philippine Ghost Stories;
si Pepe Rodriguez” (“The Malevolent Pepe Rodriguez”), and chick lit novelettes to Heartbeat Romance; and inspiring
his English play, “The Story of this Father.” stories to Sopas Muna! She has been conferred the rank
He has received the DLSU Certificate of Excellence four of University of the Philippines Artist since 2013. She is a
times from the DLSU Annual Literary and Visual Arts Awards recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished
for his works, “Bugaw” (2003), “The Remedy” (2003), “A Alumni Award for BA in Communication Arts and the
Case of Worms” (2004), and “Felis Domisticus Lycanthropy” University of the Philippines Los Banos Outstanding Alumni
(2004). Lastly, Dustin is an alumni of the Found Story Award for Culture and the Arts.
School of Filmmaking, the Ricky Lee Screenwriting NICOLAS B. PICHAY
Workshop, HOOQ Filmmakers’ Guild, the Clever Minds Inc. Nicolas B. Pichay is a poet, playwright,
Writer’s Lab, and the Silliman National Writers Workshop. translator, director, lawyer, and a civil
servant. He has been inducted into the
Palanca Hall of Fame; Gawad Balagtas
Awardee; an Asian Cultural Council
Grantee; a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow
for Public Policy at the Maxwell School of Citizenship,
Syracuse University.
Folklore in Playwriting
Playwrights share their creative process in taking folklore as material for their plays.
JERRY C. RESPETO fellow of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.
Jerry C. Respeto teaches graduate and Respeto is the chair of the Performing Arts Technical Committee,
undergraduate courses in Philippine and member of the Humanities Technical Panel of the Commission
literature and theater at the Department of on Higher Education since 2012. He served as one of the artistic
Filipino and Department of Fine Arts, Loyola advisers of Ateneo Enterteyment para sa Tao, Bayan, Lansangan,
Schools (LS), School of Humanities, Ateneo at Diyos (ENTABLADO) from 2003 up to the present. He is the
de Manila University (ADMU). He was the chair of the Faculty Development Committe of the ADMU’s Loyola
director of the ADMU’s Fine Arts Program, Schools. He holds the Fine Arts Professorial Chair in honor of
School of Humanities in 2012-15 and chair of ADMU’s Department national artist for theater design Salvador F. Bernal. He was a
of Filipino in 2000-01 and in 2008-11. He holds a bachelor’s member and former chair of the Young Critics Circle - a group of
degree in social science from the University of the Philippines (UP) scholars and film critic in the country. He was chair of the board
Manila; a master’s degree in literature (Filipino); and a doctorate of directors of the Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices.
in Philippine literature from UP Diliman. He attended courses on He was also a member of the various outstanding LS committees
theater arts at the International Christian University in Japan (Academic Standards, Curriculum, Discipline) and the University
in 2004; and St. Olaf College in Minnesosta, USA, in 2006, as a
Research Council. He was awarded as the outstanding junior Cosclluela’s Sa Tahanan ng Aking Ama (In My Father’s House),
faculty by the Ateneo Schools Parents Council, 2009; a national 2010; and Heinrick von Kleist’s Amphytrion, 2011, with the same
finalist of the Metrobank search for outstanding teachers, 2014 & title. He translated Kanjincho (The Subsription List), 2003, a
2015; and the recipient of the Henry Lee Irwin Memorial Teacher Kabuki play both in Nihongo and Filipino based on Namiki Gohei’s
Award, 2018. The Subscription List. He also translated in Filipino Isabel Kenny’s
Respeto’s participation in the Philippine Educational Theater Vigan, 2016, a 12-episode telenovela project of the Loyola Schools.
Association (PETA) theater arts workshop in 1982 introduced In 2017, his translation of Arthur Miller’s Ang Pag-uusig (The
him to stage performance. He played ensemble roles in Si Juan Crucible) won the Philstage Gawad Buhay award for outstanding
Pabrika, Oratoryo ng Bayan, Nasa Puso ang Amerika, and Makbet. translation.
Later, he became active in UP Anak-Tibawan, which entrusted him As a theater scholar, Respeto wrote “Ang Dramang Tagalog,
with lead roles in Mga Santong Tao, R.I.P. and Orosman at Zafira. 1899-1944” for his master’s thesis, and “Bayang Panitikan:
He also acted in Tanghalang Ateneo’s Therese ng Liseux and Janus Ang Pagtatanghal ng Kabanalan sa Pakil, Laguna” for his
Silang; and CCP Tanghalang Pilipino’s Orosman at Zafira. doctoral dissertation. He delivered lectures on Philippine theater
His directorial portfolio for Ateneo ENTABLADO showed his and literature all over the country and presented papers about
inclination toward Filipino plays. The twin billl Mga Santong Tao the history of Philippine theater at conferences held in Japan,
and Paraisong Parisukat, 2003, was his first directing stint for Australia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and
the group. It was followed by the musical Sandaang Panaginip, the United States. He was one of the delegates at the festival of
2006; Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit, 2009, an adaptation of Philippine culture and the arts in Paris, France in 1985. His essays
Rene O. Villanueva’s children’s story with the same title; the on Philippine drama were published by the CCP Encyclopedia
musical Labaw Donggon: Ang Banog ng Sanlibutan, 2013; Ang of Philippine Art and the Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre. His
Birheng Matimtiman 2015, a translation of Niccolo Machiavelli’s scholarly articles on Philippines theater and literature published
Mandragola; the musical Batang Rizal, 2017, a commissioned in academic journals led to his conferment of the ADMU’s Loyola
project of the Ateneo Rizal Library; and Uyayi ng Ulan, 2019. He Schools Publication Awards in 2011-2013.
also co-directed Sa Tahanan ng Aking Ama, 2010 a translation of Source:
In My Father’s House, and Si Pilandok at ang Bayan ng Bulawan, Zafra, Galilieo S. “Respeto, Jerry C.” (Biography), CCP Encyclopedia
2010, a commissioned project of the Ninoy Aquino Foundation. of Philippine Art, Volume 9/Theater, Manila: Cultural Center of the
For the Loyola Schools, he directed Magis, the School of Philippines, 2017, p.732. (updated by Jerry Respeto, December 17, 2020)
Humanities sesquicentennial program; Dalisayan, the LS awards
for the arts; and the LS professor emeritus conferment rites. CARLO VERGARA
He directed Mga Santong Tao for the Filipino Department and Carlo Vergara debuted as a playwright in
Pambansang Litanya ng mga Inang Wala sa Bayan for the Ateneo 2013 when he joined The Virgin Labfest with
Library of Women’s Writings. He was the executive producer of his play “Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading
the Ateneo’s sesquicentennial production of Severino Reyes’s Lady,” which eventually became a full-length
sarsuwela Walang Sugat staged at the Ateneo Irwin Theater. stage musical produced by Dalanghita
He also directed Mga Santong Tao, 1995, for Miriam College; Productions. He’s had five featured works in
Ginintuang Gunita, 2008, a silver anniversary concert of the VLF, including the Revisited plays “Mula sa
Mabuhay Singers at the Philamlife Auditorium, Manila; the Kulimliman” and “Edgar Allan Hemingway.” He has subsequently
musical Teen Saint Pedro, 2016, a play about the life of Saint ventured into screenwriting for GMA News and Public Affairs,
Pedro Calungsod for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress iWant, and Rocketsheep Studio. As a stage actor, he has appeared
in Cebu City; and For the Love of God, 2019, a cultural gala for in New Voice Company’s “Angels in America” and Tanghalang
the jubilee anniversary celebration of the Franciscan Sisters of the Ateneo’s “Si Janus Silang at ang Labanang Manananggal-
Immaculate Conception at St. Joseph’s College, Quezon City. Mambabarang.” HIs is most known for his LGBT superhero
Respeto’s ouput as a translator makes him one of the major creation Zsazsa Zaturnnah, whose graphic novel was adapted for
translators in the country. His translations were mounted by the stage by Tanghalang Pilipino in 2006, and ran for 99 shows.
Dulaang UP, Ateneo ENTABLADO, Tanghalang Ateneo, PETA and He currently teaches graphic design at the De La Salle - College of
CCP Tanghalang Pilipino. These include Friedrich Duerrenmatt’s St. Benilde.
Ang Pagbabalik ng Madam (The Visit), 1991, a co-translation
with Joi Barrios; John Clifford’s Ningning sa Silangan (A Light
in A Village), 1999; Ramon Valle-Inclan’s Divinas Palabras,
2001, based on the work with the same title; Luigi Pirandello’s
Yun na nga, kung yun na nga! (It is so, If you think so!), 2001;
Federico-Garcia Lorca’s Ang Malupit na Engkanto ng Mariposa
(The Butterfly Evil’s Spell), 2003; Eugene O’Neil’s Pagdating
ng Daluyong (Iceman Cometh), 2004, a co-translation with Jon
Lazam; Aristophanes’s Lysistrata, 2004, with the same title;
Niccollo Machiavelli’s Ang Birheng Matimtiman (Mandragola),
2006; Friedrich Duerrenmatt’s Romulus D’ Grayt (Romulus
the Great), 2006; an adaptation; Arthur Miller’s Sa Ngalan ng
Ama (All My Sons), 2007; Alberto Florentino’s Salamin, salamin
(May Day Eve), 2007, based on Nick Joaquin’s short story; Elsa
Playwriting for Children and Young People
Two playwrights talk about their plays for young people, their creative process and experience.
CHRISTINE S. BELLEN - ANG Ang “Batang Rizal” ang ikalawa niyang dula para sa PETA noong
Miyembro ng kaguruan ng Filipino, 2007 na nagtagal ng isang dekada sa pagpapalabas sa iba’t
Pamantasang Ateneo de Manila at part- ibang lugar sa Pilipinas. Nagkamit ito ng Award for Scholarly
time lecturer sa UP Baguio. Nagtapos Work with Most Social Impact na iginawad ng Ateneo de Manila
ng kanyang BA at MA sa University of the University noong March 14, 2008. Natanggap rin ito ang citation
Philippines- Diliman. Natanggap niya mula sa Gawad Buhay para sa Most Outstanding Play, Original
ang kanyang Research Ph D in Children’s Script, Stage Direction, Ensemble performance, libretto and
Literature sa Hong Kong Baptist University musical direction. Ipinalabas rin ng Ateneo Children’s Theater ang
bilang scholar sa ilalim ng Hong Kong Ph D Fellowship Scheme “Batang Rizal” noong 2010 para sa Sesquicentennial celebration
noong 2016, at ang kanyang Postdoctorate sa International Youth ng pamantasan.
Library sa Munich, Germany noong 2018. Nagsulat rin siya ng mga dulang musikal para sa Ateneo
Siya ang muling nagsalaysay ng mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang ENTABLADO tulad ng ang “Unang Baboy sa Langit ni Rene O.
na naging serye ng 20 picture books na inilathala ng Anvil Villanueva noong Jan. 19-31, 2009. Gayundin ang “Si Pilandok
Publishing. Nagkamit ang serye ng Special Citation sa National at ang Bayan ng Bulawan” kasama ang Ninoy and Cory Aquino
Book Awards noong 2004. Naisalin rin sa sayaw ng Ballet Manila Foundation bilang paggunita sa ika-25 anibersaryo ng EDSA
ang anim na kuwento mula sa serye. Naglabas naman ng tatlong People Power Revolution na ipinalabas noong Aug. 2010 at Feb.
volume ng antolohiya ang Tahanan Books noong 2006 at 2012, at 2011. Gayundin ang dulang “Ang Pitong Gunggong” kasama si
2018. Ginawaran ng Reader’s Choice Award for Best Short Story Tyron Casumpang noong 2018.
Anthology noong 2013 ang ikalawang volume ng antolohiya. Ilan pa sa mga dulang musikal na isinulat niya para sa Ateneo
Naipalabas bilang TV series ang “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” Children’s Theater (ACT) ang “Kules” noong Jan.-Feb. 2013, ang
sa GMA 7 at nagsilbi siyang consultant para dito. Nagkamit ang “Mga Kuwentong Hari,” Ateneo Children’s Theater (ACT) noong
programa ng Catholic Mass Media Award bilang Best Children’s Jan.-Feb. 2015, at ipinalabas muli ng ACT ang kanyang “Unang
TV Program noong 2007. Muling nagkaroon ng TV series noong Baboy sa Langit ni Rene O. Villanueva” noong Feb. 2016.
2015 ang TV5 na pinamagatang LolaBasyang.com. at muli Noong 2016 ay inilatlaha ng Ateneo de Manila University Press
siyang naging consultant para dito. Nagkamit ang programa ng ang kalipunan ng kanyang mga dula na pinamagatang “Batang
nominasyon sa Prix Jeunesse International Awards noong 2016. Rizal at Iba Pang Dula” na binigyan ng introduksyon ni Dr. Nicanor
May-akda rin siya ng picture book na “Filemon Mamon” na Tiongson. Kulminasyon ito ng isang dekada ng kanyang mga
inilathla ng Adarna Books na naging finalist sa National produksyon sa teatro para sa mga batang Filipino at nanalo ito ng
Book Awards noong 2005. Isinalin niya ito sa pelikula para sa National Book Awards noong 2017.
Megavision kasama si Jethro Tenorio na nagkamit ng award sa
FAMAS noong 2014 bilang Best Advocacy Film. Gayundin ang LUNA GRIÑO-INOCIAN
pagkilala sa pelikula sa International Film Festival, Manhattan, LUNA GRIÑO-INOCIAN is a freelance writer
New York, bilang Best Socially Relevant Film noong Oct. 20, 2016. and a multi-awarded playwright primarily
Ang kanyang kuwentong –pambatang “Og Uhog” ay nagkamit ng associated with the theater companies
Honorable Mention sa PBBY-Salanga Writer’s Prize noong 2002 TRUMPETS and Repertory Philippines.
at nang mailathala ay naging finalist sa National Book Awards She has co-written a musical adaptation
for Best Children’s Book noong 2003. Nagkamit din ng Honorable of C. S. Lewis’ THE LION, THE WITCH
Mention sa PBBY-Salanga Writer’s Prize ang kanyang kuwentong AND THE WARDROBE (1997), Hans Christian Andersen’s, LITTLE
“Si Hagibis, ang Tandang na Ayaw Maging Pansabong,” na sa MERMAID (2000) and Oscar Wilde’s, The Young King (2001) with
kalaunan ay isinalin nya bilang isang operang pambata. Ang Jaime del Mundo; A JOURNEY IN C MAJOR: 100th Years Anniversary
kanya ring aklat ng “Rosamistica” ay naging finalist naman sa Musical for the Insular Life Assurance Company; an adaptation
Gintong Aklat Awards noong 2006. Kamakailan ay nagwagi siya of C. S. Lewis A HORSE AND HIS BOY (2015); and, THE QUEST FOR
ng Jury Prize for Literature sa Kimata Folio (2021) ng UP Baguio THE ADARNA for Repertory Theatre for Young Audiences (2019) a
para sa kanyang akdang, “Salagubus, ang Salagubang na Bus.” musical based on a Filipino epic. All of these met with box-office
Unang proyekto niya sa teatro ang pagsasalin sa Filipino ng and critical acclaim.
“Kamatayan ng Dinastiya”, ni Jean Cocteau na ipinalabas ng She has also written screenplays, teleplays, scripts for corporate
Dulaang Laboratoryo noong 2004. Kasunod nito ang pagsusulat events, audio-visual presentations, corporate brochures, concerts
na niya ng mga dulang musikal para sa mga bata. Isinulat niya of some of the country’s top music industry stars, children’s stories
ang “Mga Kuwento and graphic novels.
ni Lola Basyang” para sa Philippine Educational Theater She has conducted seminars on Playwriting for Teens and
Association o PETA noong 2005 at ipinalalabas pa rin hanggang Educators in various schools including Makati Gospel School
kasalukuyan sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Pilipinas maging sa ibang and Miriam College; conducted a Master Class in Playwriting for
bansa. Nagkamit ito ng citation sa Philippine Legitimate Stage Trumpets Playshop; and was Lyric Writing Mentor for Ateneo Blue
Artist’s Group Gawad Buhay bilang Best Ensemble performance, at Rep Find Your Light Program in 2021 and 2022.
Best Set and Costume Design noong Nov, 2008.
Remembering Rene Villanueva
Two playwrights talk about a beloved friend and mentor to many
other young writers of drama.
LUNA SICAT CLETO International Philippines, Book Development Association of
Awtor si Luna ng dalawang nobela: the Philippines at executive council member ng Literary Arts
Makinilyang Altar (UP Press,2005) at subcommission ng NCCA. Kasama rin siya sa UP Institute
Mga Prodigal (Anvil, 2010). Siya rin of Creative Writing bilang Fellow. Isa rin siyang editor at
ang awtor ng Bago Mo Ako Ipalaot tagasalin. May tatlumpung taon na rin siyang nagsisilbing
(High Chair, 2018) at Huni at Pakpak: guro ng panitikan at malikhaing pagsulat sa Unibersidad
Mga Dula at Sanaysay (Philippine ng Pilipinas.
Writers Series, UP Press, forthcoming). Nagsanay siya bilang mandudula sa gabay ni Rene
Noong 2004, natanggap niya ang Madrigal Prize for Best O. Villanueva, bilang bahagi noon ng grupong TELON
First Book para sa nobelang Makinilyang Altar. Nagwagi Playwrights Circle. Bilang makata, naging kabahagi siya ng
rin siya ng Don Carlos Palanca awards para sa kuwentong Linangan ng Imahen, Retorika at Anyo noong 1988. Bilang
pambata (“Alakdan,” 2nd prize, 1992), tula (“Bago Mo kuwentista, kasama siya sa grupo ng mga kabataang
Ako Ipalaot,” 3rd prize, 1996) sanaysay (“Pagdapo ng kuwentista noong dekada 80-90, ang KATHA.
Paruparo,” 1st prize, 1998 at “Balanse,”2004), at maikling Maliban sa sukatan ng gawad at iba pang pagkilala, mas
kuwento (“Tatlong Proposisyon ng Puting Hangin,” 2018). ibig ni Luna na ituon ang pagkakilala sa kanya bilang
Bilang mandudula, naging kinatawan siya ng Pilipinas isang tagapamagitan ng danas sa panulat.
noong 1988 para sa Interplay, isang pagtitipon ng mga JUN ROBLES LANA
kabataang mandudula at nagwagi siya ng Gawad CCP
para sa Panitikan para sa isang yugtong dula (3rd
prize, “Maternal,” 1987). Noong 2018, natanggap niya
ang Gawad Balagtas para sa Katha sa Filipino. Siya ay
kasalukuyan ring board member ng Women Playwrights
Writing Musicals
Ejay Yatco shares his technique and creative process in writing musical plays.
EJAY YATCO
A composer, musical director and pianist, Ejay Yatco’s original musicals include DALUYONG NG DIWA, GUADALUPE
THE MUSICAL, DING ANG BATO!, FRICTION, REAL LIFE FAIRYTALES, TOILET, and ISANLIBONG TAON. He arranged the
music of Fringe Creative’s Sugarfree Musical SA WAKAS. Shows that he musically directed include Tanghalang
Pilipino’s MABINING MANDIRIGMA; Dalanghita Production’s KUNG PAANO KA NAGING LEADING LADY; Repertory
Philippines’ MIONG, HAIR, A LITTLE PRINCESS, STEPPING OUT and their 50th Anniversary Concert; Musicartes’
GODSPELL; Vivre Fort Entertainment’s 50 SHADES; Sandbox Collective’s DANI GIRL and BOY IN THE BATHROOM;
and Ateneo Blue Repertory’s NEXT TO NORMAL, IN THE HEIGHTS, SPRING AWAKENING, COMPANY CALL 20 and
25, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, AND EDGES. He played piano for Red Turnip’s 33 VARIATIONS, Sandbox Collective’s HIMALA and Atlantis’
THE LITTLE MERMAID. He also won the 2017 GAWAD BUHAY for Outstanding Musical Direction and 1 gold medal and 3 silver medals for
WCOPA. He is currently teaching Musical Theatre at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Teaching Playwriting
Glenn Sevilla Mas presents various teaching strategies for playwriting in the Philippines.
GLENN SEVILLA MAS
Glenn Sevilla Mas is a 2015 Asian Cultural Council Fellow and a 2003 Ford Foundation International Fellow who
has an MFA in Playwriting from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He was recently awarded
the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, a lifetime achievement award for Filipino writers, by the Unyon
ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL). His profile and plays are included in the Theater Volume of the CCP
Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. He is a 9-time Palanca winner for his plays and has three books published by
the UST Publishing House. He has mentored the young playwrights of CCP’s Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship
Program since 2009 up until the present. He is Ateneo de Manila University’s Theater Arts Program Coordinator
who teaches theater, literature, and playwriting classes full-time in the university’s Department of Fine Arts and Department of English.
VIRGIN LABFEST 2022
WRITING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Artist Training Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines is pleased to announce the fellows
accepted to the Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program which will take place on June 14 - 26, 2022:
Wilfredo C. Alipala
Christian Antonio D. Castillo
Lauren Angela C. Chua
Bernardine B. De Belen
Adrian Carlo A. Fajardo
Mark Andy Pedere
Justin Myron R. Ramos
Harvey R. Sallador
The Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program is a two-week mentorship program on the study and practice
of dramatic writing for the stage. The Fellowship Program is part of the Cultural Center’s desire to train
young aspiring playwrights. It consists of lectures, script critiquing, writing sessions and interactions with
known playwrights and directors.
The eight (8) fellows accepted to the program will be mentored by multi-award-winning playwright
Glenn Sevilla Mas and will be given access to all Virgin Labfest 17 plays as part of their mentorship. The
Fellowship Program will conclude in a staged reading of the fellows’ works directed by Dennis Marasigan
which will take place at the CCP on June 26, 2022, 5PM and streamed online via CCP Facebook Page.
The Virgin Labfest 17 Writing Fellowship Program is a project of the CCP Artist Training Division of the Arts
Education Department.
For further inquiries, kindly email [email protected] or call 8832-1125 local 1605.
GLENN SEVILLA MAS
Glenn Sevilla Mas is a 2003 Ford Foundation fellow and a 2015 Asian Cultural
Council grantee who has an MFA in Playwriting from the Catholic University of
America in Washington, D.C. He is a winner of 9 Palanca Awards and 3 Aliw
Awards for Best Non-Musical Production. His profile is included in the Theater
Volume of the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. His plays have been presented in
Washington, DC; Baltimore, Maryland; Philadelphia; Shanghai, People’s Republic of
China; and several venues in the Philippines, including the CCP. He has mentored
the young playwrights of the Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program since 2009
up until the present. His Palanca-winning play “Rite of Passage” was part of the
first-ever Virgin Labfest in 2005. He is a three-term board member of the Philippine
Center of International PEN, a juror of the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards for the Performing Arts, the Theater
Arts Program Coordinator of Ateneo de Manila University, and the former Artistic Director of Tanghalang Ateneo.
He is the recipient of the 2020 Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas by the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa
Pilipinas (UMPIL).
DENNIS MARASIGAN
Director. Writer. Lighting Designer. Actor Producer. Teacher. Learner.
He graduated BA Theater Arts and Master of Public Administration from the
University of the Philippines and has served on the faculty of various universities
and colleges. He has held management positions in government agencies and
cultural organizations, including Technical Director, Theater Operations Manager,
Associate Artistic Director and Assistant Vice President of the Cultural Center
of the Philippines (CCP); Executive Director of the Movie and Television Review
and Classification Board (MTRCB); Artistic Director of Tanghalang Pilipino (TP),
the CCP’s resident theater company; and President of the Philippine Legitimate
Artists Group (PHILSTAGE).
He observed theater and film practices in Russia, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and Canada, including attachments
and residencies at the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain, Royal Opera House, English National Opera, The
Banff Centre, the Shaw Festival Theatre, the Harbourfront Centre, and the National Film Board of Canada. He
was awarded the Gawad Buhay for Outstanding Direction of a Play for “Ang Pag-uusig.” He served as Festival
Director for Virgin Labfest 3 and 4 and directed Reuel Molina Aguila’s “Isa Pang Soap Opera” for VLF 8 and
Raymund Reyes’s “Ang Naghihingalo” for VLF 10 and 11, as well as various stage readings through the years.
Currently, he is the Adviser of Mapua Tekno Teatro and the Program Head for Theater Arts of the Meridian
International College of Business Arts and Technology. With over 800 credits in theater and other live events,
film and television, he continues to mentor young artists while finding time for his creative pursuits.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS TO
THE VIRGIN LABFEST
WRITING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
IN THE VISAYAS
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is now accepting applications for the Virgin Labfest
Writing Fellowship Program in the Visayas which will be held from July 19 - 31, 2022 at Negros
Museum, Bacolod City.
The Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program in the Visayas is a two-week mentorship program on
the study and practice of dramatic writing for the stage. The Fellows from the Visayas region will
take part in lectures, discussions, and workshops on playwriting and script critiquing. They will
also be given access to watch recordings of selected past festival plays, as well as the opportunity
to participate in the talkback and interaction with known playwrights and directors. The Fellowship
Program will be held from July 19 - 31, 2022 and culminate in a staged/ script reading of the
fellows’ works which will be staged at the Negros Museum on July 31, 2022.
To qualify, the applicant must:
1. be a resident and/or based in the Visayas Region;
2. be a college student or a young professional;
3. be 29 years old or below;
4. be fully vaccinated against COVID-19;
5. not have had any play produced by a professional theater company;
6. not have had any play published in a literary journal;
7. not have won in any national/ international playwriting/ screenwriting competition;
8. be able to submit the following requirements via the Application Form (Accessible from this
link: forms.gle/SRzo8hu2EQogt2zm7):
a. Basic Information
b. Vaccination Card/ Certificate
c. Writing Experience / Resume / Portfolio
d. Recent photo
e. One (1) to two (2) sample stage plays, full or excerpts, with the following requirements:
i. Written in either Cebuano, Hiligaynon, or Kinaray-a with a separate Filipino and/or
English summary;
ii. In .pdf format (12 points, double-spaced, 8” x 11” paper);
iii. The maximum total number of pages of the submitted sample stage play(s) is 10
(whether one or two plays).
iv. The real name / identity of the applicant must not be written on any part of the
sample work(s).
9. be present for the entire duration of the program, rehearsals and performance for the
Culminating Showcase
Only complete application requirements will be considered.
Requirements must be received by 11:59 PM, June 28, 2022
Announcement of accepted applicants: July 12, 2022
A minimal registration fee of P3,000 will be required of all accepted fellows.
For inquiries on the Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program in the Visayas,
email [email protected].
The Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program in the Visayas is a project of the Cultural Center of
the Philippines and Writer’s Bloc in collaboration with Province of Negros Occidental, The PerfLab,
and the Negros Museum.
SET A: LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES
Hala!: Mga Dulang Sandaling Napigil ang Hininga
MA. CECILIA DE LA ROSA
Ma. Cecilia “Maki” Culvera de la Rosa writes poems and plays. She was
part of VLF 12 and 14. She was a fellow at the 60th UP National Writers
Workshop. She received her BA in Philippine Arts from UP Manila and only
recently, her MA in Malikhaing Pagsulat from UP Diliman. Maki works
at the Department of Political Science and teaches part-time at the
Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas, both in UP Diliman.
Already 39, she still dreams of either becoming a dancer or simply retiring
at 40.
Acknowledgements: Kay Dr. Vlad Gonzales na lang siguro haha, dahil siya
ang prof ko sa klaseng eksperimental. At sa mga kaklase sa workshop
class na iyon, lalo na kay Rex, na paboritong seatmate.
ADRIENNE VERGARA
Adrienne Vergara is an actor, director, mascoteer, voice actor, host, and
stage manager. For The Virgin Labfest, she performed in Hapagkainan,
Isang Daan, Unang Regla ni John, Streetlight Manifesto and was the
stage manager for Kafatiran and Symposium. During the pandemic,
she directed online hybrid performances – Titser Kit premiered at the
VLF Lockdown Edition 2020, a dance-film The Man is Not Your Friend for
NeoFilipino CCP Choreographers Series 2020, and Dulaang Sipat Lawin’s
Kwentong Bata (The Children’s Hour) in 2021. ienne-ienne is a cloud
walker and a water nymph.
In Partnership with RESBAK x Silangan Coffee x RISE UP for Life and Rights
CAST
Alon Segarra as Manunulat
Alon Segarra is a freelance artist-manager: an actor, a production-finance
manager, cultural worker, and human rights activist. In 2018, she started
volunteering with RESBAK (RESpond and Break the Silence Against the
Killings) an interdisciplinary alliance of artists, media practitioners, and
cultural workers advancing social awareness, the fight for justice, and
accountability with regards to the killings brought forth by the Duterte ad-
ministration’s “war on drugs”. #StopTheKillings In 2019, volunteered with
SAKA - Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo (Artist Alliance for
Genuine Land Reform and Rural Development). Though currently not active
with SAKA, she still strongly rallies with the alliance, the farmers and agricultural workers’ fight for
land and justice. #StopKillingFarmers #LandToTheTillers #HaciendaBuwagin
She was a performance-maker, and core member of contemporary performance collective Sipat Lawin
Ensemble from 2009 to 2019.
Pau Benitez as Balo 1
Pau Benitez is a film, theatre and TV actress. She is a BA theatre arts
graduate from UP Diliman and also a member of Theater Actors Guild
(TAG).Her recent film projects were A Girl and A Guy, On the Job 2, Buy Bust
directed by Erik Matti, Liway directed by Kip Oebanda, Tayo Muna Habang
Di pa Tayo directed Denise O’hara, MIA and Murder by Tsismis directed by
Veronica Velasco and Sentensyador directed by Richard Somes. Her theatre
productions include, The Chairs and The Lesson directed by Chesca De
Guzman, Fathers and Sons directed by Tony Mabesa, Ang Nawalang Kapa-
tid directed by Dexter M. Santos, CCP’s Women’s month stage reading and
various Dulaang UP and UP Playwright’s stage productions.
Skyzx Labastilla as Balo 2
SKYZX LABASTILLA is an Artistic Excellence awardee of the Philippine High
School for the Arts (majoring in Theater Arts), she holds a BA Art Studies
(cum laude) degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She has
top-billed both lead and supporting roles in many successful plays in the
Philippines. She was cited as Best Actress – Play of 2016, Philippine Daily
Inquirer’s BRAVO Best of Theater 2016, for her performance as martial
law victim in Rody Vera’s “Indigo Child.” The 2018 Aliw Awards cited her
Best Actress for her 2-hour solo performance portraying several charac-
ters in Dulaang UP’s “Ang Dalagitay’s ‘Sang bagay na Di-buo,” under the
direction of Prof. Jose Estrella. Repertory Philippines’ “Anna in the Tropics” was her last production in
March 2020. She is a full-time program officer (culture and arts) at the Japan Foundation, Manila.
SET A: LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES
Hala!: Mga Dulang Sandaling Napigil ang Hininga
BIBETH ORTEZA
Actor-writer-producer.
Orteza enjoyed success as a comedienne on film and television and also as writer for
top-rated television programs and award-winning films. She alternated with Peewee
O’Hara as Nana Rosa, in Rody Vera’s play of the same title about comfort women in
the Philippines during World War II, staged by the Dulaang UP, and directed by José
Estrella. She was Pilar, in Peter Zaragoza Mayshle’s Dolorosa, directed by Jenny Jamora,
for Tanghalang Ateneo, from August 15-31, 2019. Earlier in February 2019, she played
early astronomer Annie Cannon in Repertory Philippines’ second re-staging of Lauren
Gunderson’s Silent Sky. In July 2017, she did Wild Rice Productions’ 4th incarnation
of Marc Camoletti’s Boeing, Boeing in Singapore, with the Straits Times noting her
performance as Rosa was “masterful” and “scene-stealing.”
She also directs shows for television and theater.
A breast cancer survivor now in her 18th year of remission, Orteza is spokesperson of breast cancer information advocate I
Can Serve Foundation. Currently Chairman of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, she was Regent of the University of
the Philippines from 2010-2013 and served as member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board of the
Philippines from 2013-2018, until the Duterte government deemed her unfit.
CARLOS SIGUION-REYNA
Carlos Siguion-Reyna is a film director with 13 films behind him, of which several have
screened or won awards in the Philippines and in major international film festivals
including those of Berlin, Toronto, Tokyo, and Shanghai. He heads the Cinemalaya
Institute, where he teaches filmmaking. As Arts Professor on the regular faculty of New
York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Asia Graduate Film and Television Department,
he taught 12 courses in film directing and screenwriting (2008-2015). Carlos served as
president of the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc., and currently serves in its Board
of Directors. He holds an MFA in Film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film
and Television Department (NYC).
Credits include:
Theater (director): Stage Kiss (Repertory Philippines, 2020), Katsuri (Tanghalang Pilipino, 2019), Coriolano (TP, 2019),
Marawing Salamat (opera segment, 2018), Ang Mga Propesyunal (Virgin Labfest 2018), Nothing But Dreams (VLF 2017),
Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-Araw (TP, 2016), Walang Sugat (TP, 2012). Theater (actor): Torvald in A Doll’s
House, Part 2 (Red Turnip Theater, 2018), for which he received the Gawad Buhay 2018 award for Outstanding Male
Lead Performance in a Play. Film (director): Hari ng Tondo (2014), Azucena (Reynafilms, 2000), Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni
Selya (Reynafilms/Star Cinema, 1997), Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin (Reynafilms, 1997), Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin
(Reynafilms, 1995), Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal (Reynafilms, 1992), Hihintayin Kita sa Langit (Reynafilms, 1991).
Film (actor): Hector in On the Job 2 (Reality Entertainment, streaming on HBO Asia). Television (director):
Magpakailanman (GMA-7, 2016), Aawitan Kita (AK Productions, directed 1986-2005). Television (actor):
Edong in Apoy sa Langit (GMA-7, 2022), Ernesto in Ang Probinsiyano (ABS-CBN, 2019-2020).
CAST
Gie Onida as Allan
Gie is a senior artist-teacher member of PETA. He joined PETA in 1994. He is also part
of Philippine Playhouse, an improv troupe under the creative direction of Ana Valdes
Lim. He joined the group in 2002. Gie has been part of numerous theater productions
including Rak of Aegis, A Game of Trolls, Ang Buhay ni Galileo (PETA); Manila Notes,
Walang Sugat, Stageshow (Tanghalang Pilipino-CCP); and Birdcage (Virgin Lab Fest
2017-18). Offstage, he has performed the roles of stage manager, production manager,
technical director, and lighting director. He sometimes engages in freelance work as
actor for tv; film, and casting director for TV commercials.
JV Ibesate as Peping
JV Ibesate is currently a Senior Actors Company Member of the Tanghalang Pilipino
(TP), the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
He received the 2017 PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay Award for “Outstanding Male Lead
Performance in a Play” for his work as John Proctor in TP’s Ang Pag-uusig (The
Crucible), from which he also received a Best Actor nomination from the 2018
BroadwayWorld Regional Awards. JV has portrayed a variety of roles from his numerous
productions with TP. These include Leonardo Felix in Kasal sa Dugo (Blood Wedding),
Demetrius in Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw (A Midsummer Night’s
Dream), George - Chief of Police in Ang Balkonahe (The Balcony), Payat in Katsuri (Of
Mice and Men), and Bernard in Pahimakas sa Isang Ahente (Death of a Salesman), to name a few.
He is also a budding playwright and his play, Tulad ng Dati, was one of the featured works in the Virgin Labfest,
an annual festival of plays at the CCP. JV was also part of the Philippine Delegation to the 6th Beijing Theater
Olympics (2014) held in China. In August 2018, he flew to Moscow, Russia as part of the Philippine delegation
to the 2018 World Theater Congress. He has also conducted various acting workshops around the country.
JV graduated with a degree in Broadcast Communication, cum laude, from the University of the Philippines –
Diliman. During his free time, JV is fond of reading a variety of books and watching documentaries.
Earle Figuracion as Bok
Earle is an actor-singer, storyteller, and voice artist with a masters degree in Music
Theatre (with distinction) from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama,
University of London. He has performed in plays and musicals in the Philippines and
in Asia, as well as with emerging work in the UK. He has also done commercial, TV,
voice, and film work in the Philippines and internationally. He is currently an assistant
professor at the University of the Philippines, a senior storyteller of Adarna House, a
frequent collaborator with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and a
freelance creative for various projects.
Joshua Tayco as Butching
Joshua Tayco is a freelance actor, writer, director. He is formerly a scholar of the
Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company and a Senior Member of the DLSU Harlequin
Theater Guild. Aside from his independent work he also created and performed with
Black Canvas and One and A Half Men improv. His most recent role is becoming a
father.
SET A: LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES
Hala!: Mga Dulang Sandaling Napigil ang Hininga
ELJAY CASTRO DELDOC
Eljay Castro Deldoc is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños
and is currently taking up his graduate studies at the De La Salle University. His
plays, children’s stories, poems, and essays were published in local anthologies,
online journals, and literary magazines. His most notable plays were mounted at
The Virgin Labfest, including the Palanca-winning “Pilipinas Kong Mahal With
All the Overcoat”. A few of his works were also staged in California, Canada,
and Saudi Arabia. In 2021, he received the NCCA Writers Prize for Dulang
Filipino. He is also the Artistic Director of Tabsing Kolektib and a member of The
Writers Bloc.
TESS JAMIAS
Tess Jamias is an actor, director-dramaturg, acting teacher/coach, filmmaker,
voice talent, contemporary dancer-choreographer, hair cutter and machinator.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philippine Studies (Theater
Arts and Film) and Master in Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of the
Philippines, Diliman. Tess is a founding member of the Dulaang Talyer and
KoLab Co. Among others, Tess has been awarded the Asian Cultural Council
Fellowship and the Japan Student Services Organization scholarship. She
currently teaches Theatre Arts in the Philippine High School for the Arts, in
Mt.Makiling Los Banos.
J. WILLIAM HERBERT SIGMUND GO
J. William Herbert Sigmund Go is an actor, director and teacher. He has
appeared in drag at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Mac Malicsi, TNT), CCP
Main Theater (Shoes), the Setagaya Public Theater in Tokyo (Hotel Grand Asia)
and a New York Lottery Commercial. He loves cooking chawanmushi.
CAST
Claudia Enriquez as Hija
Claudia is a performer, storyteller and an educator. She is an actor both on-screen and onstage
and has appeared in theater performances, films, music videos, and commercials. Her perfor-
mance credits include Are You Ready to Take the Law Into Your Own Hands (written by David
Finnigan, 2020), Dolorosa (written by Peter Zaragoza Mayshle, 2019) and Mad Forest (written by
Caryl Churchill, translated by Guelan Luarca, 2018). She has also facilitated numerous summer
workshops both for children and adults and has been teaching preschoolers full time since
2018. Claudia also hosts events such as parties and competitions.
Marj Lorico as Sir / Sister Prime / VAWCi / Co-Worker / Koro
Marj won Best Actress in a Straight Play in the Gawad Buhay Awards 2011 for her performance
in Tony Perez’ Nobyembre, Noong Akala Ko’y Mahal Kita and was a nominee for Best Actress in
Aliw awards 2019. She is also a seasoned workshop facilitator and teacher. She is acting coach
to both senior and new actors in television. Marj graduated with a BFA degree in Advertising
from the University of Santo Tomas. She was a member of the Tanghalang Pilipino’s Actors’
Company from 2001-2008 and a founding member of the Kolab Co. theater.
Wenah Nagales as Ma’am / Ate Boss / 1st Officer / Pulis / Co-Worker / Koro
Actor for theater and film, Voice Actor for advertising, Dubber for Tagalized series and movies, a
Senior High School teacher, and an Acting Coach for an upcoming local series.
Wenah’s works include Tisoy Brown of Dulaang UP, Boy of Tanghalang Ateneo, CCP’s Triple
Threat series for the Ensemble: KoroNasyon, R’meo Luvs Dhewlhiett and Manila Notes of
Tanghalang Pilipino, Honor thy Father, Gasping for Air in Netflix, Astro Boo’s The Door Beneath
the Earth, QCinema’s Henry, and PETA’s Health Love Series. During the pandemic, with her work
from home set up, she has produced and directed Audio Educational Materials for NCAA and a
Tagalized Cartoon Cashville Kids series for a Malaysian company.
Kath Castillo as Driver / Bobet / Papa / Entomologist / Co-Worker / Koro:
Kath finished BA THEATER ARTS in UP Diliman. She was a former apprentice of Tanghalang
Pilipino Actors’ Company and is a familiar face in TV commercials, movies, and independent
theater groups. As a freelance artist, she has worked with different theater companies like PETA
and Gantimpala Theater Foundation. She is one of the founding members of Kolab Co theatre.
Ji-ann Lachica as Manay / Jam / / Doctor / Lawyer Co-Worker / Koro :
Ji-ann received her theater education from Philippines High School for the Arts and University of
the Philippines Diliman. Her most recent work was in Sipat Lawin Ensemble’s Are You Ready to
Take the Law Into Your Own Hands, as part of AsiaTOPA 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. She was
also part of Sipat Lawin Ensemble’s Battalia Royale, Love: This is not yet a Musical, Romeo &
Juliet, Paglipas ng Limang Taon. In 2010, she joined Dulaang UP was part of their productions
such as Umaaraw Umuulan, Kinakasal ang Tikbalang, Rizal X, Orozman at Zafira, Isang Panag-
inip na Fili, Shock Value, to name a few. JI-ann was part of VLF 8 for Maynard Manansala and
U Elisero’s “Symposium”. also performed for the VLF Fragments directed by Ed Lacson and JK
Anicoche in 2009 & 2012.
Aside from performing, JI-ann also works as an assistant director and script continuity for films and has done numerous
work under Viva Films, Regal Films, Star Cinema, and T-rex Entertainment.
SET B: LIFE IS STRANGE FICTION
Hindi nga? Weh?!: Kataka-taka Trilogy
JERRY O’HARA
In ancient times, before the age of cellphones, I started as stage manager of Felix
Padilla and Lino Brocka on some of their PETA plays. After a short stint in PETA, I move
on to working full time in the film industry. I was assistant director to various film
directors.
During the advent of Pocketbell and Easy Call, I got stuck working on Regal Films on a
regular basis as associate producer to various film projects. Then Viva films got me to
work for them also as associate producer. After a short stint in Viva Films, Regal films
bought me back.
When analog cellphones came, Director Joel Lamangan brought me to television as his
asst. director. This also the period when I started to write using the old typewriter that
I bought for 500 pesos. I wrote mostly for the weekly series of Pira-Pirasong Pangarap
ang Maynila.
When smart phones came, I quit writing and I moved to ABS-CBN as asst. director
working on various shows until I quit production work and opted to become an actor
better known as bit player or “manlalabas”.
At the time that film negative became obsolete, I got into a project for CineMalaya.
That’s when I wrote Sundalong Kanin, my first full-length feature film.
Two years ago, when life came to a standstill because of the pandemic, I wrote this play,
LIBERATION. This is a product of my love for reading Philippine History at the time that
there was nothing to do. I have another historical play coming. I hope it gets accepted.
DENNIS MARASIGAN
Director. Writer. Lighting Designer. Actor Producer. Teacher. Learner.
He graduated BA Theater Arts and Master of Public Administration from the University
of the Philippines and has served on the faculty of various universities and colleges.
He has held management positions in government agencies and cultural organizations,
including Technical Director, Theater Operations Manager, Associate Artistic Director
and Assistant Vice President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP); Executive
Director of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB); Artistic
Director of Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the CCP’s resident theater company; and President
of the Philippine Legitimate Artists Group (PHILSTAGE).
He observed theater and film practices in Russia, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and Canada,
including attachments and residencies at the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain,
Royal Opera House, English National Opera, The Banff Centre, the Shaw Festival Theatre,
the Harbourfront Centre, and the National Film Board of Canada. He was awarded
the Gawad Buhay for Outstanding Direction of a Play for “Ang Pag-uusig.” He served
as Festival Director for Virgin Labfest 3 and 4 and directed Reuel Molina Aguila’s “Isa
Pang Soap Opera” for VLF 8 and Raymund Reyes’s “Ang Naghihingalo” for VLF 10 and
11, as well as various stage readings through the years. Currently, he is the Adviser
of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company and Mapua Tekno Teatro, and the Program
Head for Theater Arts of the Meridian International (MINT) College of Business, Arts and
Technology. With over 800 credits in theater and other live events, film and television, he
continues to mentor young artists while finding time for his creative pursuits.
CAST
Chrome Cosio as Haruto
Actor for Theater TV Film. Tangahalang Pilipino Actor’s Company alumni.
He is the only actor to complete the Virgin Labfest from year one to present.
Bong Cabrera as Daiki
Bong Cabrera is an award winning Film/Theater actor. He won acting awards from Accollade Global Film
Festival Competition (Best Actor) and Urduja Film Festival (Best New Actor) for the film “The Sun Behind
You”. Cine Filipino Film Festival (Best Supporting Actor) for the film “ The Guerilla is a Poet”, Cinema One
Originals Film Festival (Best Actor) for the film “Sa Ilalim ng Tulay” (Under The Bridge), and from GAWAD
BUHAY (PHILSTAGE AWARDS) Best Supporting Actor for the play “The Coup”. Recently their film “Leonor Will
Never Die” premiered in Sundance World Cinema Competition where it won a Jury Price for Innovative Spirit.
Internationally he performed in Tokyo, Shanghai, Nagoya, Singapore, New York, and Berlin. In between
filming and working on projects in theater, he also teaches Theater Arts classes in De La Salle- College of
St. Benilde, and Philippine High School for the Arts. He is also an artist member of International Schools
Theater Association (ISTA) where he facilitates Drama workshops in ISTA Theater festival around the globe.
Karlo Erfe as Jiro
Karlo Antonio E. Erfe is a freelance theater actor and graphic designer. He currently works as the Sandbox
Assistant in Areté, Ateneo de Manila University. His performance credits include “Ang Taumbayan” in
Kwentong Komyut #MIDDLECLASSPROBLEMS: #HALAGA (2015), “Lito/Eman” in Desaparesidos (2016), “Sun-
dalo” in May Isang Sundalo (2017), “Estragon” in Paghihintay kay Godo (2019), himself as well as various
characters in the devised piece Negros Food Project (2019), and as a performance artist in Center of the
Center: Respire Respire (2019). He has worked with various organizations such as Teatro Baguntao, Ateneo
Entablado, Tanghalang Ateneo, Sipat Lawin Ensemble, Dulaang UP, and the Museum of Contemporary Arts
and Design + Artspace (Sydney). He also commits himself to joining the efforts of the art-activist group
RESBAK (Respond and Break the Silence Against the Killings).
Neomi Gonzales as Matandang Babae / Babaeng Buntis
Neomi Gonzales is a senior artist-teacher of Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). She recently
starred in a multi-awarded immersive restaging of “HIMALA: Isang Musikal” where she was nominated for
Best Featured Performance in a Musical at the 2019 Gawad Buhay Awards. Her other theater credits are Rak
of Aegis, Eto na, Musikal nAPO!, Manila Notes, International touring production of Sound of Music and The
Tempest Reimagined in collaboration with The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London among others.
She is also a freelance actor for film and TV where she appeared in numerous TV commercials and Te-
leseryes. She just recently joined the cast of “First Lady”, GMA’s top rating TV series airing weeknights.
On a regular basis, she teaches Musical Theater Class in Homeschool Global where she writes and directs
plays for children. She takes different roles everyday as she joggles everything from rehearsals, acting,
teaching and simply being a wife and a homeschool mom.
Ericka Peralejo as Batang Babae
Ericka Peralejo started doing professional theatre at age 8 with Repertory Philippines’ Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs. She became part of Resort’s World Manila’s Annie the Musical a year after that and Atlantis
Theatricals’ Matilda the Musical after another. She has recently done a project with PETA Plus called
“Babae ang Bukas” available for streaming at Oxfam’s Facebook page.
Another thing about Ericka is that she is also a packaged Voice Talent! She is a dubber for Tagalized car-
toons and movies who has already worked with your favorite channels and streaming platforms. She also
does Voice Overs and sings for the ADS you see on National Television and social media.
She was also part of The Voice Teens Season 2 and became part of Team FamiLea.
SET B: LIFE IS STRANGE FICTION
Hindi nga? Weh?!: Kataka-taka Trilogy
BJ CRISOSTOMO
BJ Crisostomo is a writer for stage, film, and live events. His most recent
projects include dramaturgy and direction for Pound of Flesh (An Adaptation
of The Merchant of Venice by The Ikarus Theater Collaborative, 2021), book and
direction of a musical entitled Azul: Sirena ng Sigwa produced by the Arete
and CCARPH earlier this year, several horror stories for the YouTube channel
Ang Hukom, the script of Dapithapon which was staged in the previous VLF. He
is currently dividing his time between his duties as the Artistic Director of the
Ikarus Theater Collaborative and taking his Master’s in Media Studies - Film in
UP Diliman.
MARA AGLEHAM
Mara Agleham is a freelance production stage manager for theater and events.
Her recent works include virtual stage management for corporate events and
head stage management for Daluyong ng Diwa at the Dubai Expo 2020.
This is her first time to direct.
CAST
Thea Marabut as Aly
Thea is an actor for the stage, commercials, and film. She is a graduate of the Philippine High
School for the Arts under its Theater Arts program and is an alumnae of the University of The
Philippines Los Baños where she majored in Communication Arts. She has been involved in
the improv scene as a member of SPIT Manila, the premier improvisational theater group in
Southeast Asia. She was also a teacher at Third World Improv, the first school in the Philip-
pines dedicated to teacher the art and craft of improv theater.
She has received several acting recognitions from different award-giving bodies for film
and theater such as Gawad Buhay, Aliw Awards, and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and
Sciences Awards (FAMAS).
She is also a new member of SAKA (Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo) an alliance of artists supporting
genuine agrarian reform and rural development, and RESBAK (RESpond and Break the silence Against the Killings), an
alliance of artists, media practitioners, and cultural workers which primary goal is to advance social awareness on the
killings brought forth by the Duterte administration’s ‘war on drugs’.
Io Balanon as Rain
Io is a freelance theatre, events and film practitioner. In the theatre, he specializes in Scenic
Design, Technical Direction and Performance.
Judie Dimayuga as Bruha
Actor - Lawyer - Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Advocate
Judie Dimayuga is an intern at Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, the Cultural Center of the
Philippines’ (CCP) Resident Theater Company (2021 to present).
Aside from acting, Judie is a member of Philippine Commission on Women’s National Gender
and Development Resource Pool (PCW-NGRP), as well as a member of Commission on Higher
Education’s Regional Quality Assessment Team (CHED-RQAT) for Region IV.
She is also the Owner-Founder of JRTD Law Office.
Marvin Olaes as Host
Marvin Olaes is a faculty member of the University of the Philippines Department of Speech Communication and Theatre
Arts.
His theatre performance credits include: Dulaang UP’s Orozman at Zafira (2010, 2011, and 2012 National Theater Festival);
Dulaang UP’s Ang Nawalang Kapatid (2013); Teatro Lasalliana’s Dulce Estranghera (2012); PETA’s Trumperte (2018); Virgin
Labfest Stage Reading Writing Fellow Showcase (2019); and UP Dulaang Laboratoryo’s Kuneho (2016), and UP Kontem-
poraryong Gamelan Pilipino (2006-2008). As a dramaturg, he was part of Dulaang UP’s Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario
Mabini (dramaturg, 2013); #R</3J (dramaturg, 2014); Angry Christ (dramaturg, 2017), The Kundiman Party (2018). He is
also a voice actor, host, and content creator.
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VLF 17 DIGITAL SOUVENIR PROGRAM
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