VIRGIN LAB FEST 2020 GOES ON VIRTUAL STAGE IN TIME OF COVID

NOEL COMIA, AMONG THE CAST OF VLF 2020's "BLACK PINK"

Papaano Turuan ang Babae Humawak ng Baril

An online rehearsal by the cast of Papaano Turuan ang Babae Humawak ng Baril for the Virgin Labfest 2020 lockdown edition.

Dominador Gonzales : National Artist

Online rehearsal by the cast of Dominador Gonzales: National Artist, one of the featured staged readings in the Virgin Labfest 2020 lockdown edition.

Titser Kit 

First reading done online by the cast of Titser Kit, one of the participating plays in the Virgin Labfest 2020 lockdown edition.

BlackPink

The cast of BlackPink, one of the participating plays in the Virgin Labfest 2020 lockdown edition during online rehearsals.

Gin Bilog 

The cast of Gin Bilog, one of the featured plays in the Virgin Labfest 2020 lockdown edition during an online rehearsal.

THE Virgin Labfest braves a new front and adjusts to new realities as the playwrights, directors and actors take a further leap of faith to bring the annual festival of untried, untested and unstaged works on a virtual stage.  In response to the COVID 19 crisis, the theater festival will have its lockdown edition, slated on June 10 to 28, 2020.

Dubbed “VLF 2020 KAPIT: Lab in the Time of Covid (A Virtual Labfest Lockdown Edition),” the 16th edition will feature nine new works, three revisited works, and six staged readings.

The nine main performances are: “Doggy” by Dustin Celestino, directed by Roobak Valle; “Pilot Episode” by Floyd Scott Tiogangco, directed by Giancarlo Abrahan; “Dapithapon” by Jay Crisostomo IV, directed by Sigmund Roy Pecho; “Papaano Turuan ang Babae Humawak ng Baril” by Daryl Pasion, directed by Erika Estacio; “BlackPink” by Tyron Casumpang, directed by Jethro Tenorio; “Multiverse” by Juliene Mendoza, directed by Fitz Edward Bitana; “Titser Kit” by Jobert Grey Landeza, directed by Adrienne Vergara; “Mayang Bubot sa Tag-araw” by Mark Norma Boquiren, directed by Mark Mirando; and, “Gin Bilog” by Luisito Nario, directed by James Harvey Estrada.

In “Doggy,” a man's fiancee’s sexual peculiarity becomes his source of repressed anger.  Frustrations surface after a game of "Never Ever Have I Ever," when he learns that his fiancee was more sexually adventurous with her previous lovers.

“Pilot Episode” shows a young gay man who just quit his job through a text message, and how his parents attempt to de-escalate his extreme manic-depressive episode.

“Dapithapon” follows the story of three boys in their senior high school years who have to confront their greatest fears in a single day: flunking out of school, impossible parental expectations, and an unhealthy infatuation with a teacher.  They fervently cling to one another and try fruitlessly to preserve their friendship before they are forever parted by circumstance.

Returning home from an encounter against the NPA, a man reunites with his pregnant wife in “Papaano Turuan ang Babae Humawak ng Baril.”  The sweet homecoming turns out to be the complete opposite when the wife is confronted with her husband’s impossible request.

In “BlackPink,” a father discovers that his youngest son who is a staunch fan of Blackpink was prohibited by his school principal to dance “Kill This Love” in their Family Day talent contest, and the only way for him to join the competition is if he finds other male students to dance with him.  Will he be able to join the Family Day? and dance the BlackPInk hit song?

“Multiverse” reunites two estranged brothers - a writer and a recovering alcoholic.  The two reconnect through their mutual love of comic books.  As they discuss the concept of alternate realities and dimensions prevalent in most comic book stories, they imagine how much better their relationship would have been in another reality.  What if a different reality slowly reveals itself to the two estranged siblings?

When a young student gets into trouble in his new school and becomes what punishment the Principal might sanction him with, he hides inside a dilapidated storage room.  He feels safe until “Titser Kit” finds him there.

“Mayang Bubot sa Tag-araw” is a painful tale of two Ayta children whose friendship is tested as they choose different paths.  One follows her mother as she seeks the American dream, never thinking of who is hurt along the way.  The other remains with their people, working always against oppression.

In “Gin Bilog,” old issues are rehashed in a drinking session of family and friends.

The Revisited Plays include: “Fangirl” by Herlyn Alegre, directed by Charles Yee; “Anak Ka Ng” by U Z Eliserio, directed by Maynard Manansala; and “Wanted: Male Boarders” by Rick Patriarca, directed by George De Jesus III.

Catch the Staged Readings: “Jenny Li” by Buch Dacanay, directed by Nour Hooshmand; “Dominador Gonzales - National Artist” by Dingdong Novenario, directed by Joel Bunny Cadag; “LadyMasters” by Rouchelle Dinglasan, directed by Joy Cerro; “Matira ang Matibay” by Bernice Dacara, directed by Alon Segara; “Bagahe” by Nicko de Guzman, directed by Joel Saracho; “Mongoloida’s Casa de Pun” by Claro delos Reyes, directed by Guelan Luarca.

There will be a VLF Playwright's Fair, one of the components of the theater festival.  A collaboration of the CCP Intertextual Division, the VLF Team and The Writers’ Bloc’s Rody Vera, the fair features Filipino writers.  There will be online discussion and digital marketing platform for the expertise, services, publications and other products of writers of theatrical productions.

The VLF Playwrights Fair is free and open to public.  It will be held online every 7:00 p.m. during the VLF 2020.  Check the FB page of VLF 2020 for the complete line up of speakers and activities.

"The Virgin Labfest is here, and it remains strong and able to adjust to new realities.  The festival has a firm fan base which has filled the CCP theaters year in and year out.  Let's continue to tell our stories on the virtual stage," said festival director JK Anicoche. 

Established in 2005, the Virgin Labfest is co-presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, its resident theater company Tanghalang Pilipino and the playwrights' group Writer's Bloc Inc.

For more details, visit the CCP website and official social media accounts, and the VLF Facebook account. 

CCP REALIGNS ITS PROGRAMS IN TIME OF COVID-19

IN response to the Extended Community Quarantine and the Post-COVID-19 recovery situations, the  Cultural Center of the Philippines is realigning its artistic programs with the goal of protecting lives and livelihoods while continuing to deliver educational and inspiring content to Filipinos on alternative platforms.

To achieve this goal, the CCP will pursue the following strategies:

1. Use alternative modes of engagement so that that Filipinos continue to benefit from the educational, inspirational and healing properties of arts and culture;

2. Protect livelihoods in the arts and culture sector by continuing to employ artists in the alternative production and distribution platforms; 

3. Invest in capabilities that equip artists and cultural workers to innovate on methods of production and distribution during the enhanced community quarantine and the post-COVID recovery period, and

4. Collaborate with artists and companies to digitize content in order to create new markets and new job opportunities in the arts.

The following programs to be prioritized consist of Arts and Culture Online, Live Arts on Lockdown, Arts for Therapy and Capacity Building.

Under Arts and Culture Online, the video streaming of archival recordings, HD, edited recordings was rolled out in early April.  In the works are  the Time Capsule to Document the Arts in the Time of COVID and Virtual Reality (VR) galleries and museum.  The CCP will seek partnerships and collaboration for education, fundraising, and communication.  Also, the CCP will offer its Online resources to supplement home schooling.

The Live Arts on Lockdown program is going to test the waters in June with the Virgin Labfest as a pilot activity for re-tooling and upskilling artists and production staff for online production and delivery. 

The Arts for Therapy Program will develop and implement modules on Arts for Mental Wellness and pursue Arts for Healing activities such as pocket concerts of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and PPO at your bedside events.

Under Capacity Building program, CCP will provide Training Modules for upskilling of artists and cultural workers in art therapy and online technology.

COVID-19 continues to impact all aspects of people’s lives.  With quarantine, social distancing and lockdowns, the arts and culture sector has suffered from cancellation of shows and events and closure of venues. 

With the realignment of its programs, CCP hopes to build on its strengths and keep true to its mission of making arts matter to the lives of Filipinos.

For updates about the CCP, particularly in this time of COVID-19, follow CCP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.

THE CCP MAIN FACADE

CCP SHOWS IN HD PREMIERES ONLINE

the philippine madrigal singers

THE shows will go on at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Despite the shutdown, the CCP continues to make arts matter to every Filipino as it brings HD and archival recordings in theater, dance, visual arts, film, literary and workshop events from its Cultural Content Digital Archives.

Here they were:

“Hintayan ng Langit,” written by Juan Miguel Severo and directed by Raffy Tejada for Virgin Labfest XI, premiered last April 28 (Tuesday), at 3pm.

After the successful digital premiere of its “MMMM...More” concert, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will serenade netizens once again with "Tanghalan Naming Tahanan," with choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio.  Premiering on April 30 (Thursday), at 3pm.

Ballet musical Rama Hari will once again come alive on the virtual stage on May 2 (Saturday), at 3pm.  Starring Christian Bautista and Karylle, the Ramayana-inspired ballet production is a collaboration of three National Artists, namely National Artist Alice Reyes who choreographed and directed the whole show, National Artist Ryan Cayabyab who brought to life the libretto by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera.

On May 5 (Tuesday), 3pm, catch Ballet Philippines in “Firebird and Other Ballets.”

“Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady,” written by Carlo Vergara and directed by Chris Martinez for Virgin Labfest 9, will take the spotlight on May 7 (Thursday) at 3pm.

Actress-singer Bituin Escalante belts out well-loved Filipino songs in “Triple Threats: Everything in Bituin,” premiering online on May 9 (Saturday), at 3pm.

Don't miss these shows and watch them as many times as you like. The shows are live for a week.  Subscribe to the CCP YouTube channel at bit.ly/CCPOnlineYT! #CCPOnline #50CCP

CCP SHOWS AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE

THE BREATH-TAKING CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES

MS. ALICE REYES, NATIONAL ARTIST

BALLET DANCERS

ART aficionados can look forward to watch the best productions of the Cultural Center of the Philippines for free at the CCP Online YouTube channel.

Featured shows this year are Alice & Friends: A Tapestry of Dances in Celebration of 50 Years in Dance (April 17 / 3pm) and Philippine Madrigal Singers: MMMM...MORE! on April 20 at 3pm.

In a one-night-only concert, CCP celebrates the 50th year since National Artist and Ballet Philippines Founder and Artistic Director Alice Reyes held the first modern dance concert at the Tanghalang Pambansa (CCP Main Building).

The Philippine Madrigal Singers once again gives a post-Valentine offering that captures and contains various human emotions wrapped in songs.  As always, the Madz exemplifies and puts to experience the philosophy that has been passed on through all the generations of singers: “Sing from the heart.”

Both productions go live for a week. 

Other shows recently shown included BULAWAN: The CCP 50th Anniversary Gala Concert (April 12, 2020) and, SINAG: Festival of Radiance (April 14).

Interested parties can subscribe to the YouTube channel at bit.ly/CCPOnlineYT.

The Philippines to host 13th World Congress of IUTA in August 2020

 THE International University Theater Association (IUTA) will hold its 13th World Congress on August 25-29, 2020 in Manila, according to Cultural Center of the Philippines President Arsenio “Nick” J. Lizaso. 

This was officially confirmed in a letter addressed to Lizaso by Vito Minoia, the current IUTA President.  On August 16-20, 2018 at Moscow, Russia during the 12th World Congress of IUTA, members of the IUTA Executive Committee unanimously voted to hold the next world congress of IUTA in the Philippines. 

The theme of the said Congress is “The University Theater as a Social and Cultural Agent.” 

Students and educators of local colleges and universities as well as 350 delegates from IUTA’s member network of theater associations from 1,500 universities located around the world are expected to attend the event in Manila.  IUTA Philippine Center is accepting applicants from university affiliated organizations, experts and practitioners.  Registration is also open for interested observers.

The IUTA World Congress is held every two years. 

The IUTA was established at the Université de Liège in Belgium in 1994 with the goal of developing and promoting recognized post-secondary activity in theatre training, creation, research and theoretical and practical research at the university level or higher studies, throughout the world. IUTA has members in over fifty (50) countries.

The most recent was held in Moscow in September of 2018 which Lizaso attended and was subsequently elected by Execom members to serve as IUTA Vice-President for a term of two years. 

Aside from Moscow, 11 other cities have hosted IUTA World Congresses, which include Caldas in Colombia, Minsk in Belarus, Urbino in Italy, Olympia in Greece, Quebec in Canada, Liege in Belgium, Pueblo in Mexico, Dakar in Senegal, Krakow in Poland, Leicester in England and other cities.

Lizaso, who is also Executive Director of IUTA Philippine Center said the Philippines is privileged to have this event as it is a first for the ASEAN region.

Application for presentation of papers, demonstrations, workshops and performance at the 13th World Congress are also being accepted.

Deadline for submission is on March 15, 2020.

For more details, inquire through the IUTA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/IUTAPHL, via email (iutaphilippinecenter@gmail.com) or telephone (028) 8832-1125 loc. 1101.

RENOWNED PIANIST RAUL SUNICO REPLACES RYU GOTO AS PPO GUEST SOLOIST FOR ITS CONCERT SERIES

DR. Raul Sunico, a renowned pianist, replaces Japanese violinist Ryu Goto as the featured guest soloist for the PPO Concert Series VII, slated on March 13, 2020, 8pm, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Due to the travel restrictions brought by the covid-19 outbreak, Mr. Goto has decided to postpone all his performances in Asia.

“We are happy to inform you that Dr. Raul Sunico has accepted the invitation of Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura to perform in place of the esteemed violinist.  We are very grateful to Dr. Sunico for accepting despite the short notice,” shared PPO orchestra director Eugene A. De Los Santos, DMA.

Dr. Sunico will be performing Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F Major with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Fukumura.

The former CCP president graduated from the University of the Philippines with the degrees of Bachelor of Music (cum laude), Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and Master of Statistics.

A scholarship grant from former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos through the auspices of the Young Artists Foundation of the Philippines enabled him to finish his Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School of Music and attained his doctorate degree in Piano Performances from the New York University.  He was also conferred a Doctor of Humanities degree (honoris causa) by the Far Eastern University in 2005.

Sunico first attracted attention when he won the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artists’ Auditions performing the Liszt Concerto No. 1 conducted by Dr. Herbert Zipper.  He had performed with notable conductors including Enrique Batiz, Pierro Gamba, Garyth Nair, Helen Quach, Redentor Romero, Luis Valencia, Oscar Yatco, Ruggiero Barbieri, Sergio Esmilla, Eugene Castillo, and Herminigildo Ranera.

Sunico won the silver medal in the 1979 Viotti International Piano Competition in Vercelli, Italy, was a finalist in the 1979 Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano, Italy and received the Henry Cowell Prize in the 1980 University of Maryland International Piano Competition in the United States.  He has also served on the juries of the Bergen Philharmonic Competition in New Jersey, Isidor Bajic Memorial Piano Competition in Novi Sad, Serbia; Piyabhand Sanitwongse Piano Competition in Bangkok, Thailand; the Manila Symphony Competition, the Jeffrey Ching Piano Competition and the Piano Teachers Guild of the Philippines Competition in Manila.

A TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines) Awardee for Music in 1986, Sunico has been conferred a 1996 PAMANA Presidential Award for Overseas Filipinos, and received the 1995 Ceres Alabado Award for Children’s Books, among his other distinguished accolades.  He was also conferred the Commendatore Award (Order of the Star of Italy) by the President of the Republic of Italy in April 2017.

VIOLINIST RYU GOTO CANCELS PERFORMANCE WITH PPO DUE TO COVID-19

violinist ryu goto

 THE Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra regretfully announces that Japanese violinist Ryu Goto will not be performing with the CCP resident orchestra company for its March 13 series concert.

Due to the corona virus outbreak, Mr. Goto has decided to postpone all his performances in Asia.  According to his manager, Ms. Setsu Goto, they received an announcement from their government to cancel events that draw big crowds such as parties, gatherings and concerts.

As of this announcement, Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura, the PPO music director, is currently looking for a replacement for the featured guest soloist for this March series concert.

“We will inform you of the changes as soon as we get confirmation from Maestro Fukumura and the soloist,” said PPO orchestra director Eugene De Los Santos DMA.

For tickets and other inquiries, contact CCP Sales and Promotions at 8832-3706 or email ccpsalesandpromo@gmail.com.

ARTS FOR WOMEN, BY WOMEN AT THE CCP

TRUE to its mission of promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion, the Cultural Center of the Philippines celebrates the Women’s Month the whole month of March with a series of art exhibits, film screenings and other events.  Everyone is invited to join the different activities.

Be inspired by the women playwrights and theater practitioners at the FESTIVAL OF PLAYS BY WOMEN, a three-day event where women share their stories of empowerment through theater, dramatic readings and talks, slated on March 6 to 8, 2020.  A flagship program of the CCP Gender and Development (GAD) Committee, in partnership with in partnership with Women Playwrights International-Philippines (WPIP), there will be a forum in the morning, Reading of Women’s Plays in the afternoon, and featured performances in the evening.

Meanwhile, the CCP Arthouse Cinema, a program under the Film, Broadcast and New Media Department, holds an IRANIAN WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL, focusing on the plight of Iranian women, on March 4 to 7, 2020.  All screenings will be at Tanghalang Manuel Conde.

The festival kicks off with “SEASON OF NARGES” by Negar Azarbayjani (2017) on March 4, 6pm.  The film centers on Gisoo, Aylar and Narges, three Iranian women whose life stories intertwined.  The dramatic film details the problem of the lack of organ donors in Iran.  Dedicated to a young Iranian actress who died early and donated her organs to the people who needed it, many of the supporting actors have undergone organ transplant after experiencing accidents.

Catch “FIVE STAR” by Mahshid Afsharzadeh (2014) on March 5, 5pm.  In the film, a shy, reserved woman named Maryam becomes a cleaner in an upscale hotel where her mother works in order to pay for her university’s tuition.  While working in this new environment, she soon realizes that every aspect of her work is rife with politics and hidden agendas.  The cleaners are desperate to keep their own jobs while management is unforgiving of even the smallest errors.  With no other option, Maryam must learn to adapt to this environment. But will her naivety lead her into trouble?

The cinematic fever continues with “LEILA” by Dariush Mehrjui (1997) on March 6, 5pm.  The film follows married couple Leila (played by Leila Hatami) and Reza (played by Ali Mosaffa) who find out that the wife is unable to conceive.  Initially, they ignore Reza's mother's (Jamileh Sheikhi) insistence that he must take a second wife who can bear children.  Determined to be a devoted Muslim spouse, Leila eventually becomes convinced that her mother-in-law is right and urges her husband to consider the idea.  Reza reluctantly agrees to begin interviewing prospective brides, and their marriage soon deteriorates.

The festival culminates with “PAINTING POOL” by Maziar Miri (2013) on March 7, 5pm.  It is the story of Maryam (Negar Javaherian) and Reza (Shahab Hosseini) who try to do their best in life but are often met with several obstacles due to being mentally challenged.  Their son Soheil was born without any defects and initially does not realize how his parents differ from other adults until he begins to grow older.  This leads to complications when his teachers request that his mother come to school for a parent-teacher conference, as Soheil is afraid that his parents will humiliate him.  As a result, Soheil spends more and more time with Amirali, his teacher's son, and eventually moves in with them after his father loses his job.

Iranian Women's Film Festival also features an exhibit, titled “Women In Iran,” followed by a talk on photo exhibit by Sahar Hassanzadeh.  The photo exhibit opens on March 4, at 4pm.

The CCP Main Gallery presents a major retrospective exhibition, titled “ALLEGORIES AND REALITIES Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi: In Retrospect,” exploring the thematic contexts and modes of art practice that woman artist Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi has pursued for more than five decades.  The exhibit runs until May 24, 2020.  Likewise, the said exhibit will have guided tours on Thursdays (March 12 and 26 at 2pm) and Saturdays (March 7, 14, 28 at 2pm) at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery).

In line with this, the Visual Arts Department will hold a Roundtable Discussion of Women Printmakers on March 4, 3pm, at the Bulwagang Juan Luna (CCP Main Gallery).  Featured artists are: Ambie Abano, Ivi Avellana-Cosio, Yas Doctor, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Ofelia Gelvenzon-Tequi, and Henrielle Pagkaliwangan.

There will also be a crystal-making workshop, to be conducted by artist Samantha Feleo on March 21, 3pm, at the MKP Hall.  Feleo has a solo exhibit, titled “The Horizon of Expectations,” at the Bulwagang Victorio Edades (Small Gallery), on display until March 22, 2020.

Ongoing until March 15 is the exhibit TERNOCON 2020 PORTRAITURE AND THE PHILIPPINE TERNO: Commissioned Paintings of Filipinas by Rafael del Casal shown at the Pasilyo Vicente Manansala (2F Hallway Gallery).

More than just an art institution, the CCP has been creating and facilitating platforms that pursue gender and development, diversity and inclusion. Through its CCP Gender and Development (GAD) Committee, the center follows the implementation of gender mainstreaming advocated by the Philippine government.  It is concerned with women as well as with the social construction of gender and the assignment of specific roles, responsibilities and expectations to women and men.  

SIX ‘VIRGINS’ TO LIFT CURTAINS AT VLF 16

SIX ‘Virgins’ playwrights made it to the 16th edition of the Virgin Labfest, the annual festival of untried, untested, unstaged and unpublished theater works, happening on June 10 to 28, 2020, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The VLF virgins who will make their debut in the upcoming theater festival include: Sorsogon-based writer Jobert Landeza who penned “Titser Kit”; Mark Norman Boquiren, with his “Mayang Bubot sa Tag-araw”; Floyd Tiogangco, with “Pilot Episode”; Daryl Pasion, with “Papaano Turuan Ang Babae Humawak ng Baril”; Luis Nario, with “Gin Bilog”; and film director Bibeth Orteza who is the only woman playwright, with “Bituing Marikit.”

Completing the final list are: Tyron Casumpang, with “Black Pink”; Anthony Kim Vergara, with “The Boy Boy and Friends Channel”; Juliene Mendoza, with “Multiverse”; Jay Crisostomo, with “Dapithapon”; Juan Ekis, with “‘Nay May Dala akong Pansit”; and Dustin Celestino, “Doggy.”  These six playwrights have participated in the previous editions of the festival.

For the Stage Readings, six works have been selected; three of which are written by “virgin” playwrights, namely “Jenny Li” by Buch Dacanay, “Matira ang Matibay” by Bernice Dacara, and “Mongoloida’s Casa de Pun” by Claro delos Reyes.  Other featured stage reading works are: “LadyMasters” by Rouchelle Dinglasan, “Bagahe” by Nicko de Guzman, and “Dominador Gonzales -- National Artist” by Dingdong Novernario.

VLF festival director JK Aninoche expressed his gratitude to all the writers who “have shared their visions and voices to us.”  The 12 finalists chosen for full-staging were selected from the 290 submitted entries.

VLF founder and former festival director Rody Vera and dramaturg Ina Azarcon Bolivar helped in selecting this year’s unique set of plays.

“I’m very excited on the richness of thought-making and breadth and depth of representation of human condition and contemporary life in this year’s edition of the VLF.  Masayang may mga kasana sa pagsulong at paglikha. I’m looking forward to the VLF as a collaborative development platform for untried, untested and unstaged plays,” shared Aninoche.

Co-presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, acclaimed theater company Tanghalang Pilipino and Manila-based playwrights' group Writer's Bloc Inc., this year’s VLF follows the theme “Rurok.”  Established in 2005, the VLF aims to provide Filipino playwrights a venue to present their unpublished, untried, untested and unstaged works to the theater-going public.

Follow VLF on Social Media, or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph for more information and promo.  Connect with us and use hashtags - #virginlabfest #vlf16 #vlf2020 #vlfrurok #CCPVirginLabfest #untrieduntestedunstaged

CCP to hold an all-women festival of plays in celebration of the 2020’s Women’s Month

 THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in partnership with Women Playwrights International-Philippines (WPIP) will hold a three-day event entitled Festival of Plays by Women on March 6 to 8, 2020. 

This event will have three components: the Forum in the morning, Reading of Women’s Plays in the afternoon, and featured performances in the evening. There are also a creators’ market and interviews with renowned playwrights at various venues in CCP with the theme Empowerment, Diversity and Equality.

Join us as we celebrate women’s month with inspiring women playwrights and theater practitioners. Over 20 speakers are expected to share their stories of empowerment through theater, dramatic readings and talks.  Among these speakers are Leticia Arbelo, an International Theatre Arts Educator from Argentina; Dr. Elena Pernia, Vice President for Public Affairs of University of the Philippines and a member of Philippine National Commission for UNESCO; Dr. Jazmin B. Llana, Dean of College of Liberal Arts from De La Salle University; Achiro P. Olwochi, an international playwright and theatre artist from Uganda; Rosemary Johns, another international playwright from Australia; Bebot Rodil, Faculty of MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology; Dessa Quesada-Palm, member of Silliman University Culture and Arts Council and Vice President of WPI Philippines; Liza Magtoto, a well-known playwright from Metro Manila; Dr. Glecy Cruz Atienza, a professor and playwright from Metro Manila; Jehanne Mutin, a playwright from Marawi City; Elsa Martinez Coscolluela, a playwright from Bacolod City; Luna Sicat-Cleto, a professor and a Board Member of WPI Philippines; August Melody Andong, President of WPI Philippines; and Malou Jacob, playwright and founder/president of WPI Philippines.

Panel discussions will be held on topics such as: Katarungan at Pagkapantay-pantay ng Kababaihan, Katarungan at Pagkapantay-pantay sa Dulaan (Justice and Equality in Women and in Theater); Mandudulang Babae, Mandudulang Bagani' (Female and Warrior Playwrights) and Katangi-tanging Babae, Katangi-tanging Katha (Exceptional Women and Story).

The goal of the festival is also in line with the Philippine Development Plan so that the general public “will have greater awareness of our diverse culture and values.  There will be significant progress towards inculcating values for the common good, cultivating creativity, and strengthening culture sensitive governance and development.”  The project also seeks to inspire women to write, visualize their own stories and energize them to believe in their own talent in writing, producing and acting.

This event is the flagship project of the CCP’s Gender and Development (GAD) Committee for 2020.  True to the Center’s mission of promoting diversity and inclusion, the entrance to the fora, dramatic reading of stage plays and the creators’ market are free and open to the public.

Tickets for performances in the evening will be charged for Php200.

For details, check the https://festivalofplaysbywomen2020atccp.wordpress.com/ or follow the CCP Intertextual Division Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CCPIntertextualDivision or call 8551-5959 or 0919-3175708, you can also send an email to ccpintertextualdivision@gmail.com.