‘Virgin’ playwrights bravely unwrap humanity’s innate desire for authenticity

Now in its 21st year with the theme “Hubo’t Hubad,” the Virgin Labfest has become both a battleground and a refuge for stories that reflect humanity’s longing to be seen, needed, and celebrated. This year’s 12 new works—by both seasoned and emerging playwrights—lay bare their creators’ inner worlds. 

This is especially evident in the works of “virgin” playwrights Jerom Canlas (FOOTPRINT), Gerald Manuel (BUHAGHAG), John Lapus (TAKSYAPO!), and Faith Ferrer Lacanlale (BETAMAX).

The challenging yet healing process
Back in high school, the playwright of Betamax was unaware of the opportunities her words would unlock. Copywriter Lacanlale used to hide her works within a private folder on their shared family computer. 

“There’s a whole other art form out there pala na hindi ko alam. Nakaka-intimidate for someone like me na walang formal theater background as a student, but I realized no one’s really rushing me,” said Lacanlale. 

“May benefits din naman ang paghihinay-hinay. Akala ko nga, ‘di ako makukuha dahil sa logistical requirements ng script ko pero masaya kasing humanap ng ibang paraan para magkuwento,” said Manuel, chuckling as he recalled temporarily putting what he learned from his directing and acting stints into creating Buhaghag.

Actor, director, and producer Canlas leaned into his own emotional journey for Footprint. It was back in 2023 that he took to Facebook to announce the heartbreaking passing of his youngest brother JM, citing mental health issues. “Naging healing siya for me, ‘yong pagsusulat. Dahil ako ‘yong main character ko, may nadi-discover ako sa sarili ko habang tinatapos ‘yong script,” he shared.

Lapus, who has years of experience doing on and off-camera work, also debuts as a playwright in this edition of VLF. “Turo ni National Artist Ricky Lee sa akin no’ng 2018, pagbasehan ‘yong tunay na buhay. I remember many years ago, I went to an Isdaan restaurant in Tarlac, mga panahon na depressed ako. Madali kong naalala ‘yong actual chikahan namin no’ng bantay sa booth.”

In 2024, Lapus returned to the restaurant, retraced his wounds, and finally sat down to write Taksyapo! in 40 hours – right on time for VLF XXI’s submission deadline.

Presenting humanity’s raw honesty as its greatest strength
Lapus’ Taksyapo! hosts a fateful encounter between two strangers who intentionally choose to be candid over lying to evade judgment. “For me, the human soul is honest and has a sense of humor. Minsan, mas masarap maglabas ng iyong heart and soul sa ‘di mo kilala,” he elaborated, noting how it was cathartic to rewrite a sad experience into something inspiring and entertaining for audiences.

In Buhaghag, Manuel illustrated his grounded understanding of mental health through supernatural elements: “Nakikita natin ‘yong usual portrayal na aggressive, but there’s also a dangerous aspect na pailalim, ‘yong state na mahirap gumalaw o bumangon. No matter how mo siya i-handle, it doesn’t make the condition any less real. ‘Yon ‘yong dapat kilalanin natin.”

On the other hand, Lacanlale peels layers of trauma in heated confrontations rooted in love. In Betamax, the main character sees human pigs and struggles to convince her siblings to believe her. Lacanlale juxtaposes this absurdity with how sexual abuse victims are met with skepticism upon speaking up: “It boils down to finding the courage to take a stand. Ano ba ‘yong capable tayong gawin despite the vulnerability?”

Also touching on the heartwarming bond of families is Canlas. Through Footprint, he comes to terms with his grief, accepting that he will be carrying his younger brother’s death with him for as long as he loves him: “Hangga’t mayro’n kang pag-ibig, hangga’t mayro’n kang pagmamahal para do’n sa taong nawala, habambuhay kang nagluluksa. Mas mananatili siyang buhay.” 

The VLF stage as a manifestation of every artist’s dream
Canlas had already stepped on the festival stage as an actor for Rick Patriarca’s Birdcage in 2017 and Anthony Kim Vergara’s Student's Handbook in 2022. This year, he sees the festival in a different light as he presents Footprint: “Nakakakilig na text ko naman ‘yong hawak. Ang sarap lang magsulat para sa entablado tulad ng VLF. You just become part of history kung makapasok ka.”

“Dahil ang VLF ay isang playwrights’ festival, nabibigyan talaga kami [playwrights] ng boses. This is just one of those experiences that you really need to enjoy while you’re still there. Sabi nga nila, you can only be a virgin once sa VLF kaya gusto ko talaga siyang lubusin,” shared Manuel, who was part of the VLF Writing Fellowship Program (WFP) in 2017.

After being officially “devirginized” in VLF 2018 through the staged reading of Bagyolanda, Lapus embraced the surreal feeling of seeing his words come to life and submitted three more scripts. He finally succeeded with Taksyapo!: “Ganito pala ‘yong feeling ng isang playwright na mapanood mo ‘yong sinulat mo. Nakakanerbyos kasi ako ‘tong script ko.”

Back in 2021, Lacanlale had already showcased Betamax as a Fellow of the VLF WFP. She rewrote it four years later, equipped with a new perspective that blossomed over time. “First time kong ma-involve sa ganito na alam ko ‘yong nangyayari behind the curtains, but I’ve never felt judged for my inexperience. Worth it ‘yong times na mag-isa akong nakipaglaban sa kuwento ko kasi may iba nang nakaka-appreciate,” she expressed.

Unwrapping the soul in VLFXXI: Hubo’t Hubad
In its 21st year, the Virgin Labfest confronts humanity’s grit and shortcomings that often invite devastating but poignant consequences. While granting playwrights the opportunity and freedom to share their narratives, it dares its spectators to bask in the beauty, brilliance, and filth that make up the human soul.

“Virgin” playwrights Lacanlale, Canlas, Lapus, and Manuel had graciously accepted this challenge. They navigated the emotional whiplash of excitement upon being accepted to VLF, facing nerve-wracking critiques and relishing in the best versions of their work during premiere week. But besides their talent and commitment, these playwrights’ bravery deserves to be lauded for how they undressed and dissected their personal tales onstage for all the world to see.

Catch Lapus’ TAKSYAPO!, Manuel’s BUHAGHAG, Canlas’ FOOTPRINT, and Lacanlale’s BETAMAX at VLFXXI: Hubo’t Hubad until June 28, 2026, with shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater). 

For the latest updates on the festival schedule, ticket-selling, and accredited showbuyers, visit the pages of CCP, VLF, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Writers’ Bloc across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.