Ultimate Guide to Virgin Labfest XXI 2026: Plays, Schedule, Venue, and What to Expect
May 11, 2026
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Virgin Labfest (VLF), the annual festival dedicated to new and unstaged Filipino one-act plays, is set to return this June with its 21st edition, continuing its tradition of championing original storytelling and emerging theatrical voices.
Running from June 3 to 28, 2026 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez or CCP Black Box Theater, this year’s edition carries the theme Hubo’t Hubad, focusing on themes of identity, vulnerability, memory, and the many ways people reveal their inner truths.
The festival will feature new works by eight “virgin” playwrights and four returning playwrights, VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD elaborates on the unbridled truths of humanity’s essence after blooming into a passionate community of untold narratives over the last two decades.
Here is your ultimate guide on the VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD plays, which are separated into different sets:
SET A
PASSWORD123, PILIPINAS321 by Anthony Kim Vergara’s centers on Blackteam, an underground cyberspace operation disguised as a technical support center. With his cousin leading the team’s troubling methods, the lead character questions his chosen path as a cybersecurity expert and as a Filipino.
Directed by Norbs Portales
Featuring: Noel Rayos, Gio Gahol, Gie Onida, Earvin Estioco, Miguel de los Santos, Nicole Manlulo.
HUMAN RIGHTS STORY OF THE YEAR by Elijah Felice Rosales is about a reporter getting ready to receive an international award. At her farewell party, a former colleague declares she does not deserve the recognition.
Directed by Nelsito Gomez
Featuring CJ Navato, Justine Peña
PATAYIN ANG MGA SUROT by Floyd Scott Tiogangco occurs on the last night of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency. While an Oplan Tokhang operation unfolds, tension builds as a couple conducts their own extermination of bedbugs.
Directed by Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan
Featuring Donna Cariaga and Lian Silverio
SET B
BALOS by Neil Arkhe Azcuna is about a wounded fighter that stumbles into a small Marawi hospital. Because of his arrival, four medical workers must decide between staying silent to save lives and speaking up to risk everyone’s refuge.
Directed by Cholo Ledesma
Featuring Vincent Pajara, Heart Puyong, Bong Cabrera, Don Melvin Boongaling, Iman Rahima, Fred Layno
HARAM by Alab Usman is about three queer Muslims struggle to manage faith and love across borders and barriers.
Directed by Mark Daniel Dalacat
Featuring Jude Hinumdum, Rey Correjado, Eshei Mesina, Joann Co, Phil Noble
LUALHATI by Gab Mactal is about a former nun turned Philosophy professor and a person from her past, Lualhati meet again. Their memories of faith and romance emerge on the last night of the wake held at the Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn convent.
Directed by Mara Paulina Marasigan
Featuring Jackie Lou Blanco, Angel Aquino, Banaue Miclat, Bea Garcia-Choy, Iana Bernardez, Sarah Monay
SET C
ELEHIYA by Dustin Celestino is an impressionistic montage of conversations of fathers and sons that could have taken place but did not.
Directed by Ron Capinding
Featuring Dennis M. Marasigan, John Sanchez, Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Yan Yuzon
SHE’S ELECTRIC by Ron Evangelista is about a former womanizer meets the love of his life in However, his friends make a discovery that leads to an insightful discussion on the sexual and philosophical nature of relationships.
Directed by JP Habac
Featuring Joshua Cabiladas, Glaiza de Castro, Ybes Bagadiong, Yesh Burce, Aldo Vencilao
BETAMAX by Faith Ferrer Lacanlale follows a woman who begins to see “human pigs” after a minor road accident. As she ascends to madness, the darkness surrounding her family is brought to light.
Directed by Sheenly Gener
Featuring Jam Binay, Jorrybell, Sean Inocencio
SET D
FOOTPRINT by Jerom Canlas is about a grieving family that turns back time with a virtual archive of memories in. While they scramble to make sense of a tragedy, their unspoken feelings inflict a much harsher truth.
Directed by Mikko Angeles
Featuring Jojo Cayabyab, Meryll Soriano, Elijah Canlas, Omar Uddin, Pappel
TAKSYAPO by John Lapus is about two strangers in Tarlac that uncover an unexpected connection by exchanging tales of love and disappointment within the walls of a rage booth.
Directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio
Featuring Christian Bables and Mosang
BUHAGHAG by Gerald Manuel follows a young lady who is haunted by a long-haired enigma that corners her into choosing between self-preservation and self-destruction.
Directed by Tess Jamias
Featuring Krystle Valentino, Adrienne Vergara, Jigger Sementilla, Gena Suelto, Ethan King
Here is the Festival Schedule: