Calling all playwrights! Your spotlight awaits.
August 8, 2025
Samalamig Cold Readings Returns This September and is now open for submissions!
If you’ve ever dreamed of hearing your words come alive on stage — Samalamig Cold Readings is calling your name.
The new theater space, conceptualized by Gelo Esperanzate and Carl Cuevas of PopQuizPH, has become a creative playground for aspiring, budding, or professional playwrights to share their freshest works. Whether your script is brand new, a work-in-progress, or something that has never been performed before, Samalamig offers it a stage — and a willing audience ready to bring it to life through spontaneous cold readings. No polished productions here; just raw storytelling, performed for the first time by audience volunteers alongside a featured guest artist. A quick talkback follows each reading, giving playwrights valuable feedback from both performers and theater-goers.
After a successful first session this year last May, Samalamig Cold Readings is back for its second 2025 edition on September 17, 2025 at Vault Speakeasy Bar Greenhills (inside Tittos Latin BBQ and Brew). And here’s the best part — submissions are now open until August 13, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
Philippine theatre princess, Gab Pangilinan, returns as Samalamig's featured guest, ready to read your words on stage.
How to Join the Lineup
Interested playwrights can send their scripts to samalamigreadings@gmail.com with the subject line: [Submission] Title Name – Genre.
Pieces can be in English, Filipino, Taglish, or any mix of Philippine languages, but must:
Feature 3–4 characters
Run time for 10–15 minutes
Complete guidelines can be found here:
The Show Format
Each session spotlights three new or in-progress scripts from emerging or seasoned writers, whether intended for stage or screen. The second act ups the ante with a one-act piece by a multi-awarded playwright — past editions have included works by Carlos Palanca winners Eljay Castro Deldoc, Dustin Celestino, and Hall of Famer Guelan Luarca.
In May, the stage lit up with Apat na Kaluluwa by Bea Nicole Abelinde, Maaga Pa Tayo Bukas by Rossielle Manicad, and Untop by Daniel Agusto. Eljay Castro Deldoc’s Nihil Timemdum Est rounded off the night as the featured second-act play.
Tickets & Drinks
Tickets are priced at ₱800 (Early Bird) until September 16, or ₱1,000 (Regular/Walk-in) — both include a complimentary drink. Grab your spot by scanning the QR code or visiting bit.ly/SamalamigColdReadings.
So if you’ve got a story itching to be heard, this is your cue. Write it. Send it. And watch it come to life in front of an audience that’s as eager to listen as you are to share.
