UMVA has learned that the Virgin Labfest (VLF) is staging a daring lineup of one‑act plays that will peel back the curtain on humanity’s rawest truths.
For its 21st year, VLF has chosen the theme “Hubo’t Hubad,” meaning “completely naked,” and the stage will be set in the Cultural Center’s Blackbox Theater. The festival promises 12 fresh scripts and a handful of revisited works, all unfolding over a single night each from Wednesday to Sunday until June 28.
In a bold move, VLF is also offering stripped‑down staged readings of selected pieces from the VLFXXI submissions. Set 1 on June 12 will feature Jose Victor Torres’ “Mga Tatsulok” and M. Manalastas’ “The Devoured,” while Set 2 on June 19 will showcase Dingdong Novenario’s “Manang” and Rafael Jimenez’s “Suor.” Set 3 on June 26 will bring Juan Ekis’ “Kasal(anan)” and Jay Fernandez’s “Ang Huli,” and a special reading of the Canadian “Prison Dancer” will light up the stage on June 21 and 24.
Meanwhile, DreamPlay at City of Dreams Manila is celebrating its 11th anniversary with a Viking‑themed adventure inspired by “How to Train Your Dragon.” Families can enjoy a month‑long festival of DreamWorks‑themed activities, character encounters, and exclusive collectibles. The highlight on June 12 will be the Hunt for Night Fury Eggs, accompanied by a spectacular Viking dance show.
Across the city, Ortigas Malls are honoring Filipino artistic visionaries in a tribute exhibit that runs until June 30. The showcase spotlights National Artist Virgilio Almario, the pioneering installation artist Luis “Junyee” Enano Yee, Jr., and the dynamic duo Jay Sia and Armand Serrano, whose Marvel‑inspired creations have reshaped global visual storytelling.
Repertory Philippines is bringing the beloved musical Man of La Mancha to the stage for the third time since its debut. The production, directed by Nelsito Gomez, follows Miguel Cervantes as he transforms into Don Quixote in a gritty Spanish dungeon. The cast, led by Nonie Buencamino as Miguel, delivers a stirring performance that runs until June 28 with evening shows on Fridays and Saturdays.
KHO‑LAB PRODUCTIONS and Artist Playground are presenting Double Take, a twin‑bill evening that blends the unsettling drama of “Reverse Card” with the haunting introspection of “AL.TER.” Both pieces, directed by Paul Jake Paule, explore themes of identity and memory, and will play from Friday to Sunday evenings until June 21.
For those craving a deeper dive into avant‑garde theater, VLF’s schedule offers a steady stream of daring new work and provocative readings, all free of charge and set at 5 p.m. on the Blackbox Theater’s 3/F. It is a rare opportunity to witness the cutting edge of Philippine drama in a single, unforgettable week.
