June 15, 2023
For the first time since the pandemic, the Virgin Labfest is completely face to face at the new Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez, with the theme "Hitik." The initial reviews for these 12 new one-act plays have been circulating in social media since they premiered last week, and they were all generally glowing. It had always been difficult for me to catch all four sets because of my day job. This year, this Set C might actually be the only set I could catch. (But I hope not.)
Writer: Jules Pamisa
Director: Tats Soriano
A centuries-old Aswang (Chrome Cosio) encountered a Manananggal (Skyzx Labastilla) who landed on the same rooftop as him. They tell each other their life stories, and compare their killings to the killings going on among the humans in the streets below them.
This was basically an amusing two-hander (with veterans Cosio and Labastilla at their most over-the-top) about the misadventures of two traditional monsters of Philippine myth. Pamisa juxtaposed the monsters' stories of killing human victims alongside the extra-judicial killings done with impunity during the drug wars. However, since it has been more than a couple of years after the height of these EJKs, this play concluded with an oddly dated feel.
Writer: Zheg Arban
Director: Delphine Buencamino
Since he was a child, Cadet 4th class Perez (Jao Catarus) was prepared by his late father and his older brother (Gino Ramirez) to enter the Philippine Military Academy, where they both graduated from. However, Perez became the target of bullying by his upperclassmen.
Arban's script was powerful, but it was the dynamic direction of Buencamino that gave this play such a galvanizing effect. The ensemble of new young actors (CJ Barinaga, Denmark Brinces, Raphne Catorce, Earvin Estioco & James Lanante) was solid in their performances as the cadets, especially Jao Catarus in the vulnerable central role. However, I wish they also mentioned what happened to the perpetrators of the unforgivable crime.
Writer: Ophalain Margaux Serrano
Director: Melvin Lee
When Noel (Andoy Ranay) was burying his dead horse in a field, his policeman friend Rico (Floyd Tena) came by to help. The two middle-aged men talked about their friendship began, and how they think this friendship will proceed in the future.
The way this play began with Noel digging a hole, you would never really see where the play would be going. However, along the way, several hints, both subtle and frank, were already being dropped to clarify the plot direction. This two-hander worked so well because the rapport and chemistry between Ranay and Tena was simply so realistic and actually quite sweet. If there was any significance about the horse being buried, I do not recognize it.
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