June 6, 2025
Playwright; Nelsito Gomez
Director: Sarah Facuri
On the first death anniversary of his wife Rachel, carpenter Rob (Jamie Wilson) visited her gravestone at the memorial park. He had not yet moved on from her unexpected passing, misery and pain apparent on his face. He actually planned to end it all right there and then. However, before he could do anything, an old retired teacher named May (Bibeth Orteza), who was then visiting the grave of her late best friend Anne Marie, saw him and began to chat him up.
This must be the first Virgin Labfest plays I've seen with a story told in three parts and a coda. The mostly English script of Nelsito Gomez was a very eloquent discourse about the grief felt upon losing a life partner. The topic may sound morbid, but there was a healthy dose of humor. The witty and pithy lines were delivered by Wilson and Orteza so naturally, with sincere emotional connection. The set design may be simple, but that tree with orange leaves at centerstage was very classy and memorable.
Playwright: Ryan Machado
Director: Toni Go-Yadao
It was 3 am at the new station of Albay Express bus to Bicol. Phoebe (Angelica Panganiban) was going to accompany her old mother Reting (Peewee O'Hara) back to their hometown. Her eldest brother had agreed to take over taking care of their mother, so 40 year old Phoebe can finally fulfill her plans to work in Canada, and hopefully settle down. While waiting, Reting was being cantankerous and difficult, going on and on about her lost pet cat Catriona.
This play drew the most initial media attention because it featured movie star Angelica Panganiban in her stage debut. She did not seem like a stage neophyte at all the way she delivered her lines with assured confidence. In contrast, O'Hara is a veteran of the VLF stage, so her Reting tasted like a cup of spicy comfort soup for VLF fans. This topic about filial responsibility of children to their elderly parents resonated with us so much, we just wish Machado could have given that ending a stronger and more definitive kick.
Playwright: Jobert Grey Landeza
Director: Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan
Gina (Sherry Lara) was a widow who lived with her eldest son Ben (Jonathan Tadioan). A young man Ramon (Gelo Molina) was living with them, doing various chores around the house. On her 65th birthday, Gina's two daughters -- opinionated socialite Sofie (Sheenly Gener) and foolish lesbian Toni (Manok Nellas-Bagadiong) -- drove over from Manila to Bicol to attend her dinner party. Gina had an important news to tell them.
Most VLF sets reserve the funniest play to be performed last, and this one definitely fit the bill. Even if the story basically only revolved around Gina's news, Landeza was able to give it many more dimensions. The script was laugh-a-minute yet there were lines that bite and hurt. As always, Sherry Lara was a radiant vision as Gina, even her tiniest facial expressions were fully in character. Sofie stood out with Gener's strong stage presence. Tadioan and Nellas were effortless in their comedy. In his key role, Molina held his own among the veterans.
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