Review of VIRGIN LABFEST XX SET B "MANIBALANG" - Courting Controversy

June 12, 2025

1. "MINATING NI MARIAH ANG MANTO NG MOMMY NI MAMA MARY"

Playwright: Eljay Castro Deldoc 

Director: Dexter Martinez Santos 

Ex-scammer Mariah (Lian Silverio) wanted to reform by becoming a camarero (or caretaker) of religious statues. He joined their parish's Lenten activity by dressing up a statue of Mary Magdalene in his own over-the-top style, with the help of his (boy)friend Mentong (Esteban Mara). However, a devotee Monang (Mosang) noted that the veil Mariah used was the missing veil of Sta. Ana, the patron of the next parish under Fr. Mijares (George de Jesus III). 

Deldoc is a known VLF brand, with classics like "Ang Goldfish ni Prof. Dimaandal" (2014), "Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala" (2015) and "Pilipinas Kong Mahal With All the Overcoat" (2017) all making the Revisited list before. This latest work of his again used crazy humor to make social commentary, this time on Catholic devotions and priestly mischief. The arguments of Silverio's flawed Mariah and Mosang's fanatical Monang were both delightful and disturbing. 

I was surprised to learn that this is the VLF devirginization of acclaimed theater director Dexter Santos. It was good to see him scale down to directorial basics again from helming much higher-budget musical extravaganzas at Newport like "Ang Huling El Bimbo" "Buruguduy" and "Delia D."

2. "UNANG ARAW" 

Playwright: Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo 

Director: Cholo Ledesma 

After a job that did not go too smoothly, hired killers Egay (Aldo Vencilao), Enteng (Ybes Bagadiong) and neophyte Arnel (Earvin Estioco) ran into their getaway car driven by Tambok (DMs Boongaling). They were working for the Mayor, who sent them to eliminate a rival, which they did, albeit with an innocent collateral casualty. It was Arnel's first job, so he hesitated when he was supposed to pull the trigger, causing Enteng to be shot on his arm. 

Any Filipino would recognize who Gentolizo was blatantly referring to here, even without the slide epilogue that failed to project at the end.  Ledesma created a very tense, claustrophobic atmosphere of real danger with the metal car by Io Balanon, the eerie sound of Arvy Dimaculangan and the dramatic lights of Loren Rivera. Vencilao, Bagadiong and Estioco all give dark and intense performances like I've never seen from them onstage before. This was realistically blood-curdling stuff. 

3. "PRESIDENTIAL SUITE #2" 

Playwright: Siege Malvar 

Director: Johnnie Moran  

Senator Wilma Zaragoza (Clottie Gealogo-Lucero) fainted while she was testifying at a Senate inquiry. Her three adult children gathered at Presidential Suite #2 where she was admitted. They were: Congressman Constantino (Andoy Ranay), online influencer Gertrude (Kiki Baento) and priest Richie (MC dela Cruz). The whole time, their loyal secretary Andy (Ariel Diccion) was monitoring how netizens were responding to this news. 

This biting and witty play gives us a disturbing yet hilarious behind-the-scenes peek into the dysfunctional dynamics of a political family dynasty whose only concern was their own self-interests.  Veterans Ranay and Baento were comedy gold in their rapid-fire delivery of their sarcastic lines criticizing current politics. SPIT member Diccion stole his scenes as the fussy secretary. Too bad they were not able to borrow an actual mechanical ventilator for use in the suite to be more realistic.