Celebrating two decades of nurturing emerging and established playwrights, directors, actors and designers, the Virgin Labfest (VLF) continues to cultivate its garden of brave narratives with 12 new scripts ripe for the picking. The country’s festival of untried, untested, and un-staged one-act plays returns from 11 to 29 June at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater). 

New scripts, new conversations

Featuring 12 new scripts by eight “virgin” male and female playwrights and four returning playwrights in its milestone year, VLFXX: Hinog blooms into a passionate community of unheard voices and untold stories, bringing people closer through truthful and compelling storytelling.

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

Liane Carlo Suelan’s Ang Bata kag ang Ilaga is set in St. Jerome’s Home for Children. One of the orphans, Isaac, misses his chance to take a baby rat in when it goes missing.

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

Former con artist Mariah repents by joining the annual Lenten exhibit in Eljay Castro Deldoc’s Minating ni Mariah ang Manto ng Mommy ni Mama Mary. However, things turn when Mariah is accused of stealing the antique veil of St. Mary Magdalene.

Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo’s Unang Araw has four strangers accomplishing a job for the mayor. As they drive into a remote forest in Mindanao, clashing political ideals and hidden motives are revealed.

Senator Zaragoza, author of a landmark bill, is accused of money laundering during the senate hearing in Siege Malvar’s Presidential Suite #2.

In Chris Joseph Junio’s Mga Magindara sa Siyudad, entertainers Maureen and Maylene struggle to keep their shows afloat on their makeshift stage of plywood, bamboo and iron scraps.

Ang Problema sa Trolley by Imuthis (Harvey Rebaya Sallador) unveils on Pandacan’s rails. An attempt to jump into the river comes with a damning secret, leaving the trolley driver and passenger wondering what to push next.

Ex-spouses Boyet and Raquel face the tragedy of nostalgia and letting go in Rolin Migyuel Obina’s The Late Mr. Real. Separated by Covid-19 isolation rooms, the two discuss the future of their only child, Carl.

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

Jobert Grey Landeza’s Mommy G introduces a new family member on her 65th birthday, testing her bond with her children.

A daughter finally pursues her dreams in Ryan Machado’s Don’t Meow For Me, Catriona. While waiting for the bus with her mother, she reflects on the complex familial love that binds and breaks families.

VLFXX: Hinog will also revisit three plays from last year’s edition, retelling diverse narratives that have graced the festival.

Jhudiel Clare Sosa’s Identite navigates the complicated relationship between a traditional mother and her now liberated daughter.

In Joshua Lim So’s Pagkapit sa Hangin, a patient’s relative catches the scheme of a doctor and his nurses. This play narrates the tough decisions made in public hospitals during the Covid-19 Delta wave in 2021.

Religion and sexuality intersect in Elise Santos’ Sa Babaeng Lahat as it centers on the lives of three girls in a Catholic school. 

Behind the curtains of the VLF stage

Apart from celebrating budding and veteran playwrights, VLFXX: Hinog prides itself on planting seeds of wisdom through its educational components: Staged Readings, Theater Talks, Playwrights’ Fair, Dramaturgy Fellowship Exhibit, and Writing Fellowship Program and Showcase.

Staged Readings presents stripped-down reading performances of selected script submissions from VLFXX: Hinog. In this edition, Andy Abellar’s Wala Ginakamatisan ang Itlog, Patay na si Rizal by Matt Ordoñez, M.E. Mejaro’s Isang Malaking Tipak ng Bato sa Gitna ng Ilog and Rex Sandro Nepomuceno’s Ganimide take the VLF stage.

The forum series, Theater Talks, highlights the creative and production processes behind performances. Meanwhile, Playwrights’ Fair will host conversations with renowned playwrights, as curated by veteran writer and VLF founder Rody Vera.

Delve into the science of VLFXX: Hinog’s theater-making under the mentorship of Jonas Gabriel Garcia with the Dramaturgy Fellowship Exhibit. 

The VLF Writing Fellowship Program and Showcase, on the other hand, is the culmination of a two-week mentorship program under the guidance of award-winning playwright Glenn Sevilla Mas. CCP vice president and artistic director Dennis Marasigan will direct.

VLFXX: Hinog shows are scheduled for 2 p.m. (matinee) and 8 p.m. (gala), while the educational components are at 5 p.m. For more information on the festival schedule and ticket prices, visit the official social media accounts of VLF, CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino and Writers’ Bloc on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.