Puregold Teatro Panalo Reveals 26 Shortlisted Plays from 373 Entries for 2027 Festival
October 8, 2026
Only 12 productions—eight straight plays and four musicals—will be selected for the inaugural theater festival in February 2027.
The spotlight is on Filipino theater as Puregold Teatro Panalo announces the 26 shortlisted one-act plays for its inaugural festival, selected from an impressive 373 original submissions.
The shortlist features 16 straight plays and 10 musicals submitted by both established theater practitioners and emerging creative voices, reflecting the diversity and creative potential of the Philippine theater community.
However, the competition is far from over. Of the 26 shortlisted works, only 12 will advance to the festival's final lineup, comprising eight straight plays and four musicals.
The selected productions will be staged from February 20 to March 14, 2027, marking the debut of a new platform dedicated to developing and showcasing original Filipino theater.
A New Stage for Filipino Stories
Festival chair and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad acknowledged the overwhelming response to the festival's first call for submissions.
“We received a remarkable level of interest in the first Puregold Teatro Panalo,” Hayagan-Piedad said.
She noted that the volume and quality of submissions demonstrate the depth of Filipino talent and the continued vitality of the country's theatrical community.
The selection process was rigorous, with the shortlisted entries representing a compelling mix of stories, perspectives, and creative voices with the potential to be brought to the stage.
Meet the 26 Shortlisted Plays
Straight Plays
@Home — Edralin Cabrera, Kathlyn Castillo, Michael Ian Lomongo, Marjorie Lorico, Maria Teresa Jamias, and J. Victor Villareal
Ang Huling Panawagan sa Pagdarasal — Mubarak M. Tahir
Ang Pagbabalik ng Voltes V — Neil Arkhe Azcuna
Mga Diwata IRL — Jay M. Crisostomo IV
Nang Muli Kang Makakanta — Ma. Angelica S. Chiuteña
Nothing But Dreams — Ricardo C. Novenario
Palabas/Exit — Angel Oclarit
Pax Silica — Robert Arlou De Guzman
Silang mga Bayani’t Banal — Anthony Kim Vergara
Soap Opera — Jerry O’Hara
The Boy Foretold by the Stars — Dolly Dulu
The Girl Scout Law — Rhain Arabella Alcoriza
Trahedya ng Kamote — Marjay S. Manalastas
True to Life — John "Sweet" Lapus
Walang Maliit na Bagay — Joshua Lim So
Youngstunna — Jerom Andrei M. Canlas
Musicals
Ang Maayong Balita Sumala Kang Bibo Bautista — Jude Thaddeus M. Gitamondoc
At Bumaba Ang Mga Tala — John Rey Tayag Magin
Baka Mali ang Tamaraw — Emmanuel Benbinuto Antonio
City in Darkness: A Lockdown Musical — Senedy Que
Feverish Time — John Edrick R. Alcontado
Manang-Mana Nga! — Steven Hotchkiss
Outside Looking In — Timothy Carlo Racho and Michael Angelo Lopez
Tagpuan — John Austin Perez
Tala — Jiezl Virmy Chua
The Fourth Wall Has Fallen — Heber Justin P. O’Hara
Only 12 Productions Will Make the Final Cut
Festival director Vincent de Jesus emphasized the challenge of selecting the strongest works from an already competitive pool.
“It was difficult enough narrowing things down to 26 deserving one-act plays,” de Jesus said.
He expressed optimism that the festival would serve not only as a showcase for Filipino theater talent but also as a breeding ground for new works with the potential to reach wider audiences.
The final lineup will feature eight straight plays and four musicals, all set to premiere during the festival's inaugural run.
Puregold Teatro Panalo aims to provide more than an opportunity to perform. Each selected playwright will receive ₱100,000 in financial compensation, along with development and production support from festival organizer Wishbone Collective Inc.
At the conclusion of the festival, one straight play and one musical will also receive development grants to transform their one-act productions into full-length theatrical works.
This additional support creates opportunities for original Filipino stories to continue growing beyond the festival stage.
With 373 submissions narrowed down to 26 shortlisted works, Puregold Teatro Panalo's inaugural edition already reflects the breadth of storytelling talent within the local theater industry.
As the selection process continues, the next milestone will be the announcement of the 12 productions that will take center stage in February 2027.
Puregold Teatro Panalo runs from February 20 to March 14, 2027.
