(Photo: VLF)
Cover (Photo: VLF)

After two years of streaming performances online, the Virgin Labfest is set to return on stage at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theatre) from June 16 to 26

This year's Virgin Labfest (VLF) bears an important message for its staunch supporters. The festival's 17th edition follows the theme "Hinga" [breathe] to "underline the need to be present and feel alive." 

In a statement, VLF festival co-director Tess Jamias shares how important it is for Filipino communities to appreciate performance arts in person. "After being isolated in our houses [due to COVID-19], we now focus on the importance of community—the need to share space and time and revel in one another’s presence—and the urgency of theatre and performance."

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VLF 17 also highlights a new component through "Theatre Talks," a curated forum series on theatre and creative processes. This talk, which will be live-streamed during the festival, shares the takes of theatre practitioners on production works. Audiences will also have the chance to elicit a lively dialogue on contemporary theatre-making.

The festival is also set to bring back its mainstay components such as the VLF Fellowship Program, with mentor Glenn Sevilla Mas and director Dennis Marasigan, and the VLF Playwrights Fair under the direction of Rody Vera and coordinated by Beverly Siy.

The festival of untried, untested, and unstaged plays returns to the live stage with 12 new works slated from June 16 to 26, at Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater).

SET A: LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES

Tatler Asia
A Myriapod is any member of several closely related groups of the invertebrate phylum Arthropoda, including the extinct Archipolypoda, extant Diplopoda, or millipedes (Photo: Wiki)
Above A Myriapod is any member of several closely related groups of the invertebrate phylum Arthropoda, including the extinct Archipolypoda, extant Diplopoda, or millipedes (Photo: Wiki)

This work revolves around life’s unexpected turns; it features Eljay Castro Deldoc’s Walang Bago sa Dulang Ito, Ma. Cecilia de la Rosa’s Mga Balo, and Bibeth Orteza’s Bituing Marikit.

  • Walang Bago sa Dulang Ito is directed by J. William Herbert Sigmund Go and Tess Jamias, follows the pursuit of a woman in understanding myriapods and how this would lead to bewildering encounters and finding herself preyed on by those in positions of power.

  • In Mga Balo, a writer tries to decide on the future of the play she is writing. She returns to her material and seeks the help of the widows who rightfully own the story. The play is directed by Adrienne Vergara.

  • Under the direction of Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Bituing Marikit tells the death of a man’s second wife and how much of a 'bituing marikit' (stellar beauty) his wife is to their boys. The play was made in memory of film and theatre director Mel Chionglo.

Related: Tatler Review: Tanghalang Pilipino's 'Doc Resurreccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan'

SET B: LIFE IS STRANGE FICTION

Tatler Asia
Pancit is a FIlipino go-to meal. It will be highlighter in the play ‘Nay May Dala Akong Pancit (Photo: Lutong Bahay Recipe blog)
Above Pancit is a FIlipino go-to meal. It will be highlighter in the play ‘Nay May Dala Akong Pancit (Photo: Lutong Bahay Recipe blog)

For SET B, three plays will show that fiction is stranger than life. 

  • In Absurdo: Event Day, in this play, two co-workers must come to grips if their jobs have any ultimate meaning before time runs outs. Directed by Mara Agleham, Absurdo: Event Day is part of a trilogy dealing with the craziness of the Philippine event industry.

  • Directed by Dennis Marasigan, Liberation is the story of three Japanese soldiers left behind to engage the enemy at whatever cost in a desperate effort and put up pocket resistance in southern districts of Manila in 1945. 
  • In ‘Nay May Dala Akong Pancit, two siblings are stuck in a metaphysical loop of a Pinoy soap opera trope. Every time the older brother comes home with pancit, their mother dies. The siblings must now find a way to escape the loop and save their mother once and for all. Karl Alexis Jingco directs the play.

SET C: LIFE CHOICES

Tatler Asia
Punks Not Dead is about a mother who complains to her son’s teacher regarding a discriminating item (Photo: Pixabay/Pexels)
Above Punks Not Dead is about a mother who complains to her son’s teacher regarding a discriminating item (Photo: Pixabay/Pexels)

In Set C, we are given stories of characters who are given tough challenges and choices in their respective lives.

  • In Unica Hijas, two girls are called into the principal’s office after they were caught by a nun in an almost-kiss. With less than an hour left until their future is decided, the two are forced to confront each other, their past, present, and their own selves. It will be directed by Pat Valera.

  • Directed by Roobak Valle, Punks Not Dead is about a mother who complains to her son’s teacher regarding a discriminating item. As the characters argue about the item, the play shows what’s permanently inked with prejudice.

  • Student’s Handbook, directed by Erika Estacio, shows what happened when a few pioneer students were caught violating some of the institution’s most outrageous regulations. The rules were put into question and things started getting ridiculously clairvoyant.

More from Tatler: The State Of The Philippine Art Scene During The Covid-19 Pandemic

SET D: SCHOOL OF LIFE

Tatler Asia
Fermata follows the son of a dead celebrated musician as he investigates the truth about his father (Photo: Pixabay/Pexels)
Above Fermata follows the son of a dead celebrated musician as he investigates the truth about his father (Photo: Pixabay/Pexels)

Plays set in schools and involve life lessons that must be learned and unlearnt are grouped together in Set D.

  • Directed by Guelan Luarca, Fermata follows the son of a dead celebrated musician as he investigates the truth about his father.

  • Directed by Regina De Vera, Huling Haraya Nina Ischia at Emeteria shows the endearing moment between a mother and her daughter as they prepare for the daughter’s departure. As the conversation gets deep, the daughter realises that this might indeed be their last evening together.

  • In Bienvenuta Al Lido Di Venezia, a couple who works as Filipino domestic helpers for a wealthy contessa with Alzheimer’s conspired to poison their employer. But things have gone awry. The play is co-directed by Nanding Josef and Antonette Go. 

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