"Virgin Labfest 2025"

(a feast of passion and greatness)

Last June 19, though it wasn’t part of my original plans, I was fortunate enough to find time in my schedule to attend this year’s Virgin LabFest at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Founded by former Tanghalang Pilipino Artistic Director Herbie Go and Writer’s Bloc head Rody Vera, the Virgin LabFest is an annual theater festival that showcasing untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays. It provides a unique space where both playwrights and their “virgin” works can be experienced by audiences as bold and open-minded as the creators themselves. The festival features multiple sets or batches each consisting of three short plays covering a wide range of themes making each one exciting, diverse, and unpredictable.

I’ve seen clips and posts from others who just attended, but strangely enough, it was never on my bucket list considering I’ve always loved theater since I was young. So, what changed this time? If I’m being honest, the decision was sparked by one name: Angelica Panganiban.

Yes, I’m a fan. From her iconic roles in movies and television my admiration for her body of work has never waned. So when I heard that this would mark her debut in the theater scene, how could I possibly pass up the chance to witness it live?

Upon arriving, I was immediately impressed by how intimate yet modern the venue felt. After a short wait in line, we were ushered in, I took my seat and ready for the show.

The set I watched featured three remarkable plays. Below are my quick thoughts on each one:

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#1

Nelsito Gomez's

"Anniversary"

Jamie Wilson, Bibeth Orteza

directed by: Sarah Facuri

A play about two strangers coping with the loss of their loved ones who meet unexpectedly in a cemetery. One is a husband still grappling with the recent passing of his wife, while the other is a grandmother who regularly visits the grave of her partner and is someone who seems to have already come to terms with her loss.

Among the three plays I’ve watched, this one resonated with me the most. Not because I’m experiencing the same kind of grief, but because I understand what it feels like to go through intense sadness and hopelessness. There’s this moment when you don’t want to be seen, heard, or helped but deep down, that’s exactly what you need.

This play beautifully illustrates how help often comes from the most unexpected people. And unless you allow yourself to open up, true healing may never happen.

Nelsito Gomez’s writing is truly admirable. I appreciated how he seamlessly shifted between the stories of both characters without making it complicated. Though the play was in English, the use of the words was simple yet profoundly moving. I also enjoyed the comedic timing woven into the script which is subtle but very effective.

Jamie Wilson and Bibeth Orteza’s performances were spot on. Every scene hit where it needed to. Their connection felt real and genuine, with impeccable pacing and nuanced delivery.

If there’s one line that stood out to me, it’s: “Traditions are comforting.”

To me, this speaks of how society has conditioned us to grieve in silence. When someone close to us dies, we’re often expected to carry the weight alone to avoid “bothering” others with our pain. But this play challenges that idea. It reminds us that it’s okay to talk to someone, to share the sadness, and to lean on others.

Companionship eases the burden. It may not bring back what was lost, but it helps you take a step forward and begin life once more.

#2

Ryan Machado's

"Don't Meow for me, Catriona"

Peewee O'Hara, Angelica Panganiban

directed by: Toni Go-Yadao

The premise of this play poses these difficult questions:

“What if there’s a limit to a person’s capacity to care for their loved ones?”

Does that limit truly exist?

When does taking care of your family end, and when does choosing yourself and pursue your own dreams begin?

These powerful question was explored in the second play of the night. Ryan Machado’s writing is natural and effective which is very impressive. The conversations between the characters sounded like something you’d hear in real life. The story is very relatable: a simple moment between a mother and daughter waiting at a bus terminal, slowly revealing their realizations, frustrations, and disappointments with each other while looking for their lost pet.

Both performers portrayed their roles with depth and authenticity. In just a few minutes, I was fully convinced of their roles as a mother and a daughter.

As for Angelica, I must say that her performance on stage was just as powerful as her work in film and television. Her acting felt effortless and genuine in both settings. The only notable difference might be how she projects her voice as something that is obviously needed since this is in a theater setting after all. But in terms of her emotional delivery and the weight of her lines, everything landed exactly as it should. It felt honest, raw, and deeply human.

The ending might not what I was expected, but Angelica's silence at the end already reflects a sign of relief. Something that she longs for so many years has finally happened.

#3

Jobert Grey Landeza's

"Mommy G"

Sherry Lara, Sheenly Gener, Manok Nellas

Jonathan Tadioan, Gelo Molina

directed by: Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan

I think this play tackled the bravest theme among the three. Mommy G tells the story of Gina, a 65-year-old woman in an unconventional relationship that is frowned upon by others even by her own children.

This play is a clear reflection of how, even today, it’s still easy for us to judge others based on who they love. When we see two people in a relationship, we often rush to form assumptions without knowing their story. And what’s even more heartbreaking is that while we fixate on other people’s flaws, we often fail to recognize our own.

In this modern age where we like to believe people have grown more open-minded and accepting, Mommy G reminds us that we still have a long way to go. And I truly applaud Jobert Landeza for presenting such a topic which may be a taboo to many but did it with so much honestly and fearlessly to the audience.

I also really loved the dynamics between all the characters. They felt believable and authentic, as if I were watching a real family on stage. Each actor delivered their role convincingly, but for me, the standout was the legendary Sherry Lara and here's why.

Now, I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but there were moments when Sherry seemed to mix up the names of some characters. At first, it looked like a genuine slip-up which the audience caught and responded to with laughter. But then it happened again... and that’s when something incredible happened.

Sherry, being the seasoned professional that she is, took the “mistake” and owned it. She repeated it a third time, decided to turn it as part of her character. It was like she thought, “Well, if I’ve already messed up a couple of times, why not make it a part of Gina's character?” and honestly, it was brilliant.

Of course, if it was all scripted to begin with, then that's fine but if not, that moment only deepened my admiration for Sherry Lara’s craft. It was seamless, clever, and genuinely hilarious.

At its core, Mommy G is about the pursuit of happiness and how that pursuit has no age limit. In fact, the older you get, the more you deserve the joy you've long been denying yourself. Life is short. Why waste another day not becoming the happiest, most authentic version of yourself?

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In conclusion, I was absolutely enthralled by all the performances I witnessed last night. I shed a tear, laughed my heart out, and was even challenged to reflect on my own beliefs and values.

Virgin Labfest isn’t just a festival for theater enthusiasts, it feels like a quiet but powerful protest against society’s outdated norms and traditions. I hope more people take the time to watch it. It’s not just purely entertainment, it’s a celebration of Filipino storytelling and a powerful show of support for our local artists.

As for me, I may have walked in as just a fanboy eager to see my favorite actress, but I stepped out feeling inspired, my appreciation for the arts reignited, and reaffirmed my love for theater. 🎭

For more details, visit the Cultural Center of the Philippines facebook page for show schedules and ticket information. But hurry! The festival runs only until June 29!