John Lapus' play among 12 finalists of 1st Teatro Panalo
MANILA, Philippines — Twelve original plays, including eight straight plays and four musicals, have been selected as finalists in the inaugural Puregold Teatro Panalo, following a nationwide search that drew 373 submissions.
The finalists were announced during an event at Cinema 16 of Gateway Mall on October 14, where the selected playwrights received P100,000 talent fees each.
The lineup includes works by established and emerging theater artists, with selections made by a panel of theater practitioners and writers.
The 12 finalists are:
- “The Girl Scout Law” by Rhain Arabella Alcoriza
- “True to Life” by John “Sweet” Lapus
- “Trahedya ng Kamote” by Marjay S. Manalastas
- “The Boy Foretold By The Stars (One Act Play)” by Dolly Dulu
- “Nothing But Dreams” by Ricardo C. Novenario
- “Youngstunna” by Jerom Andrei M. Canlas
- “Walang Maliit na Bagay” by Joshua Lim So
- “@HOME” by Edralin Cabrera, Kathlyn Castillo, Michael Ian Lomongo, Marjorie Lorico, Maria Teresa Jamias, Wenah Nagales and J Victor Villareal
- “Ang Maayong Balita Sumala Kang Bibo Bautista” by Jude Thaddeus M. Gitamondoc
- “Baka Mali ang Tamaraw” by Emmanuel Benbinuto Antonio
- “Manang-Mana Nga!” by Steven Hotchkiss and Jay Pangilinan
- “The Fourth Wall Has Fallen” by Heber Justin P. O’Hara
Festival chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad said the number of submissions reflected the interest of Filipino storytellers in having their work staged.
“It was encouraging to see how many Filipino storytellers are eager to share their work, and it made choosing only 12 plays especially difficult,” she said.
“They remind us how much Filipino theater has to offer, how live experiences offer authentic connections, and how important it is to create more opportunities for these stories to find their audience,” she added.
Festival director Vincent A. De Jesus led the selection team, which includes director and actor Jenny Jamora, playwright Liza Magtoto, filmmaker and producer Marlon Rivera, and theater artist and Palanca Awards Hall of Famer lawyer Nicolas Pichay.
Palanca Award-winning playwrights Dr. Layeta Bucoy and Allan Lopez served on the screening committee, while National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee serves as artistic adviser.
The finalists will receive development and production support from festival organizer Wishbone Collective Inc. as their works are prepared for staging.
Puregold Teatro Panalo is scheduled to run from February 20 to March 14, 2027.
At the end of the festival, one straight play and one musical will each receive an additional development grant to help their creators expand the works into full-length theatrical productions.
The festival aims to provide a platform for original Filipino theater works and support playwrights in bringing their stories to the stage.
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