Virgin Labfest 2026: 'Hubo't Hubad' bares 12 new plays this June

Virgin Labfest (VLF) is returning this June for its 21st edition, bringing 12 one-act plays that have never been staged elsewhere.

With the theme "Hubo't Hubad," this year's VLF showcases stories that explore the different ways people bare their true selves and the complex layers of what it means to be human.

The theater festival will run from June 3 to June 28 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

Eight of the plays this year are by first-time playwrights, while four are by returning playwrights for VLF.

Anthony Kim Vergara's "Password123, Pilipinas321" follows the story of a cybersecurity expert who works in an underground cyberspace operation masked as a technical support center.

In "Human Rights Story of the Year" by Elijah Felice Rosales, a reporter is set to receive an international award when a former colleague declares she is not deserving of it.

Floyd Scott Tioganco's "Patayin ang mga Surot" follows a couple as they exterminate bedbugs amid an Oplan Tokhang operation. It is set on the last night of former President Rodrigo Duterte's presidency.

Neil Arkhe Azcuna's "Balos" is about a wounded fighter who stumbles into a small hospital in Marawi and the dilemma this causes for four medical workers, while "Haram" by Alab Usman follows the story of three queer Muslims as they navigate faith and love.

"Lualhati" by Gab Mactial follows an ex-nun-turned-Philosophy professor, while Dustin Celestino's "Elehiya" is a series of conversations between fathers and sons that could have happened but didn't.

"She's Electric" by Ron Evangelista is about a former womanizer who meets his great love. A discovery by his friends results in a deep conversation about relationships.

Faith Ferrer Lacanlale's "Betamax" centers on a woman who starts to see "human pigs" following an accident, while Jerom Canlas' "Footprint" is about a bereaved family who turns back time through a virtual memory archive.

"Taksyapo!" by John Lapus follows the story of two strangers in Tarlac who strike a connection in a rage booth, while "Buhaghag" by Gerard Manuel" is about a young woman haunted by an entity with long hair.

VLF: Hubo't Hubad will also showcase three plays from last year, namely Ade Valenzona's "Polar Coordinates," Rolin Cadallo Obina's "The Late Mr. Real," and Siege Malvar's "Presidential Suite #2."

Staged readings, theater talks, more

Aside from the plays, the festival will hold educational activities, such as staged readings, a writing fellowship program and showcase, theater talks, and a playwrights' fair.

The staged readings include Jose Victor Torres' "Mga Tatsulok," M. Manalastas' "The Devoured," Dingdong Novenario's "Manang," "Rafael Jimenez's "Suor," Juan Ekis' "Kasal(anan)," and Jay Fernandez's "Ang Huli."

The writing fellowship program will be led by award-winning playwright Glenn Sevilla Mas, concluding with a showcase. A special staged reading from the Taiwan International Play Reading Festival (TIPR) will also take place, featuring Ihot Sinlay Cihek's "How Romantic: A Guide to Modern Pangcah Life" and the National Art Centre's "Prison Dancer."

Meanwhile, the theater talks will feature TIPR speaker Cheng-Han Wu, Jin Yim and Cui Yin Mok of the Asian Producers' Platform, and Takuya Maehara of the Shizuoka Performing Arts Center.

Tickets to VLF: Hubo't Hubad are priced at P800 (regular) and P1,000 (premium) and will be available soon via the CCP Box Office and TicketWorld. —CDC, GMA News