VIRGIN LABFEST 13: WAGAS! June 28 – July 16 2017 Cultural Center of the Philippines SYNOPSES OF THE PLAYS FEATURED WORKS Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) SET A June 28, July 7, 12, 16 – 3:00PM | June 28, July 6, 11, 15 – 8:00PM Loveteam Playwright: Oggie Arcenas; Director: Michael Williams To earn his place among the stars in show business, Allen is willing to pay any price and to commit to any sacrifice. But what if it is not his sacrifice that the gods of fame and fortune demand, but that of his only friend’s? Cast: Alex Yasuda Andrei Vegas Stage Manager: Mara Agleham Oggie Arcenas Oggie is an active member of the Writer’s Bloc, an organization of playwrights that is based in Metro Manila. Although this is his 4th trip to the VLF and is now considered a VLF “veteran”, he still regards himself as a newbie when it comes to playwrighting, and feels that he still has an enormous amount of learning and writing to do before he can consider himself a “true” playwright. Oggie has a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University, with Environmental and Natural Resource Economics as his area of specialization. After completing his graduate degree, he worked for the World Bank in Washington D.C., but decided to move back to the Philippines in 2005 after living in the United States for thirteen years. Currently, Oggie is a member of the faculty of the U.P. School of Economics in Diliman, and just recently discovered the joys of owning a pet dog. Michael Williams With over 100 roles to his credit, Michael has been performing in Philippine theatre since 1982. He began his career in Repertory Philippines’ production of “A FLEA IN HER EAR” which is an English translation of the French farce “Le Dindon”. Within his first year at Rep, Michael progressed from ensemble and support roles to playing romantic lead-roles as well as comic character roles. In 1984 Michael received great notices for his performance in “AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’” a musical review featuring the work of jazz great, RCA recording artists Fats Waller. In 1989 Michael was chosen to be part of the original London cast of “MISS SAIGON” in London’s West End. After a year with that company, Michael moved on to perform in yet another West End musical – Rogers and Hammerstein’s “THE KING AND I” produced for the centennial celebration of the Hammerstein Estate in 1990, with Richard Hammerstein Jr. directing. In this production Michael essayed the role of Lun Tha the romantic lead. Since Michael’s return to the Philippine theatre scene, he has turned in a few more sterling performances. Most notable of these were his portrayal of the tragic hero Javert in the musical, “LES MISERABLES,” and Don Quixote in “MAN OF LA MANCHA,” Dr. Jekyll in “JEKYLL AND HYDE” and won a special citation from the GAWAD BUHAY AWARD for playing the role of Captain Hook in Rep’s “PETER PAN” He is currently an Artistic Director of Full House Theatre Company, the theater division of Resorts World Manila. He has performed with this company in the original Pilipino musical production of “BITUIN WALANG NINGNING,” and as Tick in “PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT.” His directorial credits for Full House Theater Company include Rogers and Hammerstein’s “CINDERELLA”, and their most recent production “ANNIE", for which he won the GAWAD award for Best Direction of a Musical. Michael is very honored to be directing this wonderful piece by Oggie Arcenas for the Virgin Lab Fest, and to be working with two very talented actors Alex Yasuda and Andrei Vargas. Michael appears through the courtesy of Resort World’s Full House Theater Company. Pilipinas Kong Mahal with All The Overcoat Playwright: Eljay Castro Deldoc; Director: Roobak Valle Ambet and Nato are behind a satirical news website that has gone on to become too popular-- almost to a fault. Ambet, on the one hand, no longer wants to write fake news stories, even though his pieces always go viral on social media. The worst part about it, people believe them as true. Nato, on the other hand, is very much driven to keep their website alive, especially now that business is doing good. Ambet has made up his mind on leaving their business, but Nato would not let him. Things take a turn for the worse when a client comes in, demanding for a falsified account that would revise an important part of Pilipinas Kong Mahal's history. At gunpoint, Ambet and Nato discover that the real enemy might actually be too close for comfort. Cast: Fitz Bitana Paul Jake Paule Chunchi Cabasaan Anthony Falcon Stage Manager: Hartzel Lim Eljay Castro Deldoc Eljay Castro Deldoc earned his degree in Communication Arts from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. His original plays include "Owel", "Ang Goldfish ni Prof. Dimaandal", "Si Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala", "Ganito ang Pinangarap Kong Kasal", and "Kasaray Duma: Mga Supling ng Sigwa". He also penned stage adaptations of Filipino novels, namely "Para Kay B", "Ang Favorite Book ni Jude", and "Ligo na U, Lapit na Me The Musical". His most recent works are "Sylvia Q." and "Ang Muling Pamumukadkad ng Vanda sanderiana". Eljay is a member of the Writers Bloc and The Quiapo Collective. He is also a founding member and the artistic director of Tabsing Kolektib, a Manila- and UPLB-based theater guild that produces stage adaptations of Filipino contemporary literature. Read some of his works at https://deldoctrines.wordpress.com/. Roobak Valle He studied Mathematics in college yet chose a career in the arts. He is an actor, a director, a choreographer, writer and workshop facilitator. He is presently a Resident Director for the Gantimpala Theater Foundation. He rarely hesitates to accept work from other theater companies. Birdcage Playwright: Rick Patriarca; Director: Ian Segarra As the two of the longest-staying employees in the BPO company, Ed and Arthur have seen the departures of many colleagues from work. When their young and optimistic teammate resigns to pursue his dreams, the two contemplate yet again about their future in the industry, and on everything they have sacrificed to secure their comfortable lives. Cast: Gie Onida Aldo Vencilao Jerome Canlas Stage Manager: Jorrybell Agoto Rick Patriarca Rick Patriarca is an MA creative writing student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He currently works full-time as a web content writer and campaign specialist for a BPO company in Eastwood, Quezon City, and does freelance writing gigs on the side. He is an active member of the Writer’s Bloc, an association of aspiring and established playwrights in the Philippines. Rick's first produced play, the satirical comedy “Hapag-Kainan”, was a part of the 12th Virgin Labfest last year. He also writes fiction and non- fiction from time to time. He is 21-years old. Ian Segarra Ian Segarra is a Senior Artist-Teacher from the Philippine Educational Theater Association. As a performer, he has been part of PETA's Batang Rizal, Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang, Ang Post Office, Noli at Fili: Dekada Dos Mil, don_Q, William (Gawad Buhay Best Male Lead in a Play), and The Tempest Reimagined. He is part of international touring productions Coke (Kobalt Works), The Story of the Little Gentleman (Jienkyo) and Strong Boy, Deaf Boy and Girl in an Abaya whuh toured in different parts of Europe and Asia. He has directed FNL (PETA), Mga Kwentong Asyano (DLSZ), and When Sam Met Jo (VLF 11). He is currently teaching Theater Arts at the Philippine High School for the Arts. SET B June 29, July 2, 8, 13 – 3:00PM | June 29, July 7, 12, 16 – 8:00PM Ang Mga Puyong Playwright: Ryan Machado; Director: Ricardo Magno One summer in the middle of a rice field somewhere in Romblon, two young boys come to terms with their impending transition to adulthood. As they prepare themselves for the imminent rite of passage, they will realize that despite their perceived knowledge of the world, their life is still with much doubt and wariness. Their conversation about life, friendship, and sexuality shows a glimpse into the hopefulness yet uncertainty of adolescence. Cast: Ahmed Maulana Reynald Santos Stage Manager: Alpauline Peña Ryan Machado Ryan Machado graduated cum laude from UP Manila with a degree in BA Philippine Arts. A full-time communications manager at IBM Philippines, he also dabbles in photography and filmmaking. He started becoming serious with filmmaking after attending the 1st Summer Film Camp in La Union in 2015. The next year, he enrolled in a directing workshop under the tutelage of John Torres, who became his mentor. His first short film Engkwento was selected as a finalist in the Narrative Category in the Globe Independent Film Festival (2017). It was filmed in his hometown, Looc - a place that holds dear to his heart and is always the setting of his works. Ryan was a fellow at the 1st Nueva Ecija Personal Essay Writing Workshop conducted by the award-winning essayist Wilfredo Pascual. He is a huge fan of the Virgin Labfest and has been a religious follower since its inception. “Ang Mga Puyong” is the first- ever play he submitted and also his first to be staged at the Virgin Labfest. Ricardo Magno Ricardo Magno trained with the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company from 2012-2015. Past performances include: Ibalong; San Andres B.; Pahimakas sa Isang Ahente; and Der Kaufmann. Recent directing credits include: Sinagtala for Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam; Bahay-bahayan, Tagu-taguan for the 12th Virgin Labfest; and Peratedes for Teatro Kaligatan Foundation.