Review of VIRGIN LABFEST XX SET A "BUBOT" - Yearning Youths

June 11, 2025

1. ANG BATA KAG ANG ILAGA

Playwright: Liane Carlo Suelan

Director: 『 s i g l o 』

Orphan boy Isaac (Rigel Hechanova) lived in a childcare center in Iloilo run by Sister Mercy (Ina Azarcon-Bolivar). He was close to one of the caregivers, Manang Joana (Aubrey Savet). One of the naughty boys there who kept teasing Isaac was named Dom (Kizabelle Lopez Aromin), but he still had a mother visiting him every week. One day, Isaac was startled by a baby mouse in the warehouse. He decided to treat it like a pet, calling it "Ik-ik." 

What set this charming play apart from the others I had seen was the use of puppetry to tell its story with an innocent childlike tone. The lead character Isaac was portrayed by a puppet operated by Hechanova (who also provided his voice) and two other puppeteers (Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete and V Soriano). It was interesting to learn that this technique was not originally conceived by the writer, but an inspired idea of the director. In addition, there were also shadow puppets projected on the backdrop via overhead projector. Very cute.

2. TAKBO, BATANG TONDO 

Playwright: YOJ

Director: Chic San Agustin-De Guzman

A gang of friends were out playing together in the street outside their homes in Tondo. They are: the naughty Albin (Prince España), the tomboyish Tomtom (Felicity Kyle Napuli), the gay Saymon (Ian Magz) and their rich neighbor Kyla (Ericka Peralejo). That day, Kyla brought along her father's collectible miniature Coke bottle to show her pals. While they were playing,  the bottle went missing causing panic among the kids. Baranggay official Dudong (Bong Cabrera) tried to intervene.  

This play brought about memories of my own childhood, playing in the streets with neighborhood friends, something not really done anymore by kids of today. The young cast all gave very energetic performances, even getting Cabrera tangled up between them. However, to be honest, I have to take exception to the rampant use of profanity (certainly not the mild kind) throughout this play about kids featuring real kid actors. That kids had to shout out these crude swear words did not sit well with me, sorry. 

3. POLAR COORDINATES

Playwright: Ade Valenzona

Director: Paolo O’Hara

Grade 10 student Igo (Jack Denzel) lived with his strict father Manny (Randy Villarama), doctor mother Risa (Martha Comia) and younger sister Sab (Chloe Dominique).  He was having a very hard time in his math class, especially in the topic of polar coordinates. His only chance to graduate was to pass the final exam of Ma’am Onquit (Sheryll Villamor Ceasico), coming in five days. Fortunately, his best friend Bobbie (Michael Hilao) was a math whiz and was more than willing to tutor him. 

This was quite an interesting VLF play, succeeding to integrate an obscure, rather complex mathematic concept as the fulcrum of the story. I do not even recall having taken up polar coordinates in any math class I've had before. Valenzona was able to explain it quite clearly (convincingly delivered by Hilao and Ceasico) and how it connected with Igo's conundrum in life at that moment. Veteran stage actors Comia and Villarama nail the parents' roles with sensitivity, as Denzel boldly held his own in portraying a teenager at his life's crossroads.