The Virgin Labfest (VLF), the nation’s first theater competition showcasing untried one-act performs, is again for its twenty first version with the theme Hubo’t Hubad. This theme explores uncooked, fearless, and truthful storytelling. Among the many varied relationships examined, few reveal vulnerability as profoundly because the parent-child bond. Viewing it via this attitude uncovers real feelings, unstated truths, and lasting connections that outline our shared human expertise.
Mara Marasigan, director of ‘Lualhati’
Apparently, a number of parent-child duos are featured on this yr’s competition, with some performing collectively on the identical stage.
Main the listing is Dennis Marasigan, Vice President and Creative Director of the Cultural Middle of the Philippines (CCP). He performs Gardo in Dustin Celestino’s Elehiya, from Set C. As a extremely awarded actor, author, director, and producer, Marasigan has achieved a notable profession throughout theater, movie, and cultural management. He began his inventive path in theater and later held key roles at CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), and the Film and Tv Evaluate and Classification Board (MTRCB).
Elehiya is a set of monologues, or extra exactly, dialogues between fathers and sons that by no means happened however ought to have.
His youngest daughter, Mara Paulina Marasigan, has additionally constructed her profession within the trade as an actress, assistant director, and CEO of Moon Media Occasions. She returns to VLF as a director to steer Gab Mactal’s Lualhati (Set B), which depicts a nun and a former nun reconnecting after twenty years. As they revisit their shared historical past, they face questions of religion, love, loss, and therapeutic.
Lualhati additionally includes a real parent-child duo: famend actress Angel Aquino and her daughter, Iana Bernardez. They depict completely different phases of the identical character: Philosophy professor Jacinta and the youthful Sister Jacinta.
Angel makes her theater debut with VLF, whereas Iana not too long ago carried out in PETA’s Endo. Angel’s function in Lualhati mirrors her private journey, as she has overtly mentioned her experiences of loving ladies. Identified for her versatility as an actress and trend mannequin, Angel provides depth and authenticity to the half.
Iana has established her fame as an actress and producer. She obtained the Finest Performing Ensemble award for her movie debut in Gusto Kita with All of My Hypothalamus (2018). In a 2024 interview, she shared that appearing along with her mom had lengthy been a dream. Due to Lualhati, that dream is now realized.
One other parent-child duo on stage is filmmaker Carlos Siguion-Reyna and his son, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, each performing in Elehiya. Carlos is nicely often called a filmmaker, actor, and advocate for Philippine cinema, and he presently chairs the Competitors and Monitoring Committee of the Cinemalaya Philippine Unbiased Movie Competition.
Rafa is a tv, movie, and theater actor, singer, and occasion host. On the VLF press convention, he talked about that though he had beforehand collaborated together with his father, Carlos, he had all the time been his director. Elehiya is their first mission collectively as actors. Their real-life relationship lends authenticity to a narrative that explores themes of fatherhood, masculinity, and unstated emotional dynamics.
The competition additionally options one other outstanding parent-child duo: the O’Haras.
Veteran actress Pewee O’Hara stars within the staged studying Manang, the place she performs an important function. The story follows Greg as he will get prepared for the return of the ashes of the lifelong caregiver he cherished deeply, greater than his personal mom. The play delves into themes of home labor, guilt, grief, and gratitude.
Her son, Paolo O’Hara, is directing the renewed play ‘Polar Coordinates’ by Ade Valenzona, which is a part of Set E, together with the revisited productions ‘The Late Mr. Actual’ and ‘Presidential Suite #2’. Earlier than transitioning to freelancing, Paolo spent nearly six years performing in Tanghalang Pilipino productions, creating a profession that now consists of each appearing and directing.
As VLF reaches its twenty first yr, the competition has matured. It’s now greater than only a showcase for brand spanking new works; it has grow to be an area the place artists and audiences come collectively to share uncooked, unfiltered tales – very like the conversations between dad and mom and youngsters which have lengthy awaited expression.
See all fifteen (15) performs and three (3) units of staged readings via June 28, with reveals from Wednesdays to Sundays on the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Field Theater).
For the newest updates on the competition schedule, ticket gross sales, and accredited showbuyers, examine the pages of VLF, CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino Basis Inc., and Writers’ Bloc on Fb, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
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