JERRY OLEA
Hubo’t Hubad ang tema ng ika-21 edisyon ng Virgin Lab Fest (VLF) na itatanghal sa Hunyo 3-28, 2026, 2:00 P.M. at 8:00 P.M., sa Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater), CCP Complex, Pasay City.
Opo, four weeks na ang festival na ito ng mga one-act play, labindalawang “virgin” (untried, untested, and unstaged), at tatlong revisited.
Bale limang set iyan, tatlong dula bawat set.
Ang mga tema na bawat set ay Tengang Kawali, Kapit Tuko, Balat Kalabaw, Pusong Mamon, at Dilang Matalim.
Bahagi ng pralala na natanggap ng PEP Troika ngayong Mayo 3, Linggo: “The Virgin Labfest (VLF) officially comes of age in its 21st edition, stripping down all pretense of innocence while showcasing the bold Filipino voice and spirit.
“As it nurtures emerging and established playwrights, directors, actors, and designers, it revels in the artistic and creative desires expressed through fearless storytelling.
“Guided by the theme Hubo’t Hubad, this year’s VLF reflects on the many ways people reveal themselves.
“It invites audiences to engage with works that expose layers of identity, memory, and vulnerability…”
STARS JOINING VLF XXI
Maraming artista sa pelikula at telebisyon ang magpapakitang-gilas sa VLF XXI.
“Na-inspire sila kay Angelica!” sabi ng source ng PEP Troikam na ang tinutukoy ay si Angelica Panganiban.
Matatandaang comeback project niya ang paglabas sa VLF XX play na Don’t Meow Me, Catriona, kung saan nakipagtagisan siya kay Peewee O’Hara.
Nagre-rehearse pa lang ang mga dula ng VLF last year ay na-sold out na agad iyong Set D: May Asim Pa, kung saan kasama ang Don’t Meow Me, Catriona.
Kabilang sa mga artista sa VLF 2026 sina Elijah Canlas, Meryll Soriano, Glaiza de Castro, Angel Aquino, Christian Bables, Jackie Lou Blanco, CJ Navato, Mosang, Donna Cariaga, Iana Bernardez, Adrienne Vergara, at ang mag-amang Carlitos & Rafa Siguion-Reyna.
Tampok sina Elijah at Meryll sa dulang Footprint na akda ng kuya ni Elijah na si Jerom Canlas.
Facebook post ni Jerom ngayong Linggo (published as is): “WAAAAH!!! VLF NA!!! Nood po kayo SET D hehe debut ko po as a playwright Para sa’yo ‘to, JM.”
Ang JM na tinutukoy ni Jerom ay ang bunsong kapatid nila ni Elijah na binawian ng buhay noong Agosto 3, 2023, sa edad na 17 dahil sa depression.
FB post kapagkuwan ni Elijah: “Making my VLF debut and it’s an extra special one ‘cause it’s for my kuya’s debut piece as a playwright.”
Ang halaga ng tiket sa bawat set (three one-act plays) ay PHP800 para sa regular, at PHP1,000 para sa premium.
Mabibili ang tiket sa CCP Box Office at Ticket World.
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NOEL FERRER
VLF XXI plays
Featuring new works by eight “virgin” playwrights and four returning playwrights, VLF XXI: Hubo’t Hubad elaborates on the unbridled truths of humanity’s essence after blooming into a passionate community of untold narratives over the last two decades.
Password123, Pilipinas321
Anthony Kim Vergara’s work centers on Blackteam, an underground cyberspace operation disguised as a technical support center.
With his cousin leading the team’s troubling methods, the lead character questions his chosen path as a cybersecurity expert and as a Filipino.
Cast: Noel Rayos, Gio Gahol, Gie Onida, Earvin Estioco, Miguel de los Santos, Nicole Manlulo
Human Rights Story of the Year
A reporter is about to receive an international award in this Elijah Felice Rosales' play.
At her farewell party, a former colleague declares she does not deserve the recognition.
Cast: CJ Navato, Justine Peña
Patayin ang mga Surot
Floyd Scott Tiogangco's entry occurs on the last night of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency.
While an Oplan Tokhang operation unfolds, tension builds as a couple conducts its own extermination of bedbugs.
Cast: Donna Cariaga, Lian Silverio
Balos
A wounded fighter stumbles into a small Marawi hospital in Neil Arkhe Azcuna’s play.
Because of his arrival, four medical workers must decide between staying silent to save lives and speaking up to risk everyone’s refuge.
Cast: Vincent Pajara, Heart Puyong, Bong Cabrera, Don Melvin Boongaling, Iman Rahima, Fred Layno
HARAM
In Alab Usman’s play, three queer Muslims struggle to manage faith and love across borders and barriers.
Cast: Jude Hinumdum, Rey Correjado, Eshei Mesina, Joann Co, Phil Noble
Lualhati
A former nun turned Philosophy professor and Lualhati meet again.
Their memories of faith and romance emerge on the last night of the wake held at the Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn convent.
This is a play by Gab Mactal.
Cast: Jackie Lou Blanco, Angel Aquino, Banaue Miclat, Bea Garcia-Choy, Iana Bernardez, Sarah Monay
Elehiya
Dustin Celestino’s work is an impressionistic montage of conversations of fathers and sons that could have taken place but did not.
Cast: Dennis M. Marasigan, John Sanchez, Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Yan Yuzon
She's Electric
A former womanizer meets the love of his life in this play by Ron Evangelista.
However, his friends make a discovery that leads to an insightful discussion on the sexual and philosophical nature of relationships.
Cast: Joshua Cabiladas, Glaiza de Castro, Ybes Bagadiong, Yesh Burce, Aldo Vencilao
BETAMAX
Faith Ferrer Lacanlale’s play follows a woman who begins to see “human pigs” after a minor road accident.
As she ascends to madness, the darkness surrounding her family is brought to light.
Cast: Jam Binay, Jorrybell, Sean Inocencio
FOOTPRINT
A grieving family turns back time with a virtual archive of memories in Jerom Canlas's debut work as a playwright.
While they scramble to make sense of a tragedy, their unspoken feelings inflict a much harsher truth.
Cast: Jojo Cayabyab, Meryll Soriano, Elijah Canlas, Omar Uddin, Pappel
Taksyapo!
Set in Tarlac, two strangers uncover an unexpected connection by exchanging tales of love and disappointment within the walls of a rage booth in John Lapus’ entry.
Cast: Christian Bables, Mosang
Buhaghag
In Gerald Manuel’s play, a young lady is haunted by a long-haired enigma that corners her into choosing between self-preservation and self-destruction.
Cast: Krystle Valentino, Adrienne Vergara, Jigger Sementilla, Gena Suelto, Ethan King
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GORGY RULA
VLF XXI: REVISITED PLAYS
Maliban sa 12 bagong dula, tampok sa VLF XXI: Hubo’t Hubad ang tatlong kuwento noong nakaraang taon: Ade Valenzona’s Polar Coordinates, Rolin Cadallo Obina’s The Late Mr. Real, and Siege Malvar’s Presidential Suite #2.
POLAR COORDINATES
This is about a confused student on the heels of failing his Math exam.
With the fate of his fragile family and strange feelings for his tutor piling on, he struggles to carve his own path.
Cast: Jack Denzel, Michael Hilao, Chloe Dominique, Randy Villarama, Martha Comia,
THE LATE MR. REAL
This takes place in an isolation facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a wall separating them, an estranged couple reexamines the clashing views that led to their marriage’s failure.
Cast: Bene Manaois, She Maala
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE #2
This is about a senator who is accused of money laundering.
While she recovers from a heart attack, her children rally for the best course of action to salvage their reputations.
Cast: Eric de la Cruz, Kiki Baento, Michelle Ngu-Nario, MC de la Cruz, Emilio Macabantad, Ariel Diccion, Charm Aranton, Clottie Gealogo-Lucero
For more updates on the festival schedules and ticket-selling, visit the official pages of VLF, CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation Inc., and Writers’ Bloc across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.