MANILA, Philippines — From 373 original entries, Puregold Teatro Panalo has officially announced its shortlist of 26 one-act plays.
Straight plays and musicals were submitted by a host of theatrical practitioners, from respected veterans of the scene to exciting up-and-comers. All took the chance to be part of the first Puregold Teatro Panalo, and now only 26 have advanced to the next stage of the selection process.
Festival chair and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad spoke on the significance of the first shortlist.
“We received a remarkable level of interest in the first Puregold Teatro Panalo,” Hayagan-Piedad said. “The volume and quality of submissions reflect the depth of Filipino talent and the continued vitality of the country’s theatrical community. Narrowing the entries down was a rigorous process, and the 26 represents a compelling mix of stories, perspectives and creative voices with the potential to be brought to the stage.”
The 26 shortlisted one-act plays of Puregold Teatro Panalo include:
STRAIGHT PLAYS
“@Home” by Edralin Cabrera, Kathlyn Castillo, Michael Ian Lomongo, Marjorie Lorico, Maria Teresa Jamias and J. Victor Villareal
“Ang Huling Panawagan sa Pagdarasal” by Mubarak M. Tahir
“Ang Pagbabalik ng Voltes V” by Neil Arkhe Azcuna
“Mga Diwata IRL” by Jay M. Crisostomo IV
“Nang Muli Kang Makakanta” by Ma. Angelica S. Chiuteña
“Nothing But Dreams” by Ricardo C. Novenario
“Palabas/Exit” by Angel Oclarit
“Pax Silica” by Robert Arlou De Guzman
“Silang mga Bayani’t Banal” by Anthony Kim Vergara
“Soap Opera” by Jerry O’Hara
“The Boy Foretold by the Stars” by Dolly Dulu
“The Girl Scout Law” by Rhain Arabella Alcoriza
“Trahedya ng Kamote” by Marjay S. Manalastas
“True to Life” by John “Sweet” Lapus
“Walang Maliit na Bagay” by Joshua Lim So
“Youngstunna” by Jerom Andrei M. Canlas
MUSICALS
“Ang Maayong Balita Sumala Kang Bibo Bautista” by Jude Thaddeus M. Gitamondoc
“At Bumaba Ang Mga Tala” by John Rey Tayag Magin
“Baka Mali ang Tamaraw” by Emmanuel Benbinuto Antonio
“City in Darkness: A Lockdown Musical” by Senedy Que
“Feverish Time” by John Edrick R. Alcontado
“Manang-Mana Nga!” by Steven Hotchkiss
“Outside Looking In” by Timothy Carlo Racho and Michael Angelo Lopez
“Tagpuan” by John Austin Perez
“Tala” by Jiezl Virmy Chua
“The Fourth Wall Has Fallen” by Heber Justin P. O’Hara
Festival director Vincent de Jesus believes the shortlisted works demonstrate great promise for the festival.
“It was difficult enough narrowing things down to 26 deserving one-act plays,” de Jesus said. “From this bunch, only the very best of the best will make it to the stage in February. Puregold Teatro Panalo will be a showcase of the many talented Filipinos working in theater today and will be the breeding ground for many great works to come.”
From the 26 shortlisted works, only 12 will be selected to form the inaugural festival’s lineup. Of those 12, there will be eight straight plays and four musicals, all of which will be staged at the upcoming festival from Feb. 20 to March 14, 2027.
The selected playwrights will receive ₱100,000 in financial compensation, on top of development and production support from festival organizers Wishbone Collective Inc. At the end of the festival, one straight play and one musical will receive development grants to turn the one-act plays into full-length theatrical productions.
