A selection of the best plays from the Virgin Labfest. The 5 plays deal with the theme, “Searching” and tackle man’s search for love, for lost family bonds, for noble ideals, for closure, and for missing loved ones. The hilarious Bakit Wala Nang Nagtatagpo sa Philcoa Oberpas,by Carlo Pacolor Garcia (Directed by Riki Benedicto) tells the story of a man and a woman who decide to meet at the Philcoa Overpass after months of flirting online. In Doc Resureccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan, by Layeta Bucoy (Directed by Tuxqs Rutaqio), a well-meaning doctor runs for Mayor only to find out that the community he so wanted to help desires a different path for itself. How does one close a chapter still to be written? This is the question confronted by a mother in Reuel Molina Aguila’s bittersweet Maliw (Directed by Chris Millado). Nick Pichay’s Isang Araw sa Karnabal (Directed by Chris Millado) is about two former activists, both with missing loved ones, meeting again after a long time and attempting to mend broken ties.

 Play Dates:

 SET A January 13, 14, February 4, 10, 2012 8:00 PM; January 14, 15, February 5, 11, 2012 3:00 PM

SET B January 20, 21, February 3, 11, 2012 8:00 PM; January 21, 22, February 4, 12, 2012 3:00 PM

Venue: Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater)

Tickets: Regular: Php600; Student: Php300

SET A

“Bakit Wala Nang Nagtatagpo sa Philcoa Oberpas”

By Carlo Pacolor Garcia; Directed by Riki Benedicto

Atop the Philcoa Overpass, life goes on as usual: a vendor waits for her toys to be sold, a street hustler invites passers-by to solve a puzzle that doesn’t seem to have any solution, and an evangelist shouts hallelujah and asking for some meagre change so that everyone’s soul can be saved. But what happens when a Man and a Woman decides to eyeball right then and there after months of flirting online; will they meet at last and fulfil their promise to leave all these behind? Can a policeman help them find each other? And what do a blind man and a snatcher have to do with a night filled with plans gone wrong, a night of chase and hide-and-seek, of escape and resolve? Atop the Philcoa Overpass, everything can happen, and alas, everything can end and most definitely change.

Cast: Ebanghelista - Jelson Bay; Snatcher -  Martha Comia; Tindera - Carmina Capile; Babae - Pam Hundana; Lalaki -   Marco Viaña; Manggantso - Gino Ramirez; Pulis - Jonathan Tadioan

“Doc Resureccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan”

By Layeta Bucoy; Directed by Tuxqs Rutaqio

With the desire to introduce positive changes to his community, Doc Resureccion ran for Mayor. Unfortunately, his cousin, Boy Pogi Resureccion ran as a nuisance candidate challenging Doc Resureccion’s chances. Bearing gifts and promises of a better future, he tries persuading his cousin to withdraw his candidacy only to find out that the community he so wanted to help desires a different path for itself.

Cast: Jess Resureccion - Riki Benedicto; Boy Pogi - Jonathan Tadioan; Elsa - Rayna Reyes; Mang - Sherry Lara 

SET B

“Maliw”

By Reuel Molina Aguila; Directed by Edna Vida

How does one close a chapter still to be written? Five years after the forced-disappearance of her eldest daughter, a mother confronts this question. The play is set after her family celebrates her eldest daughter’s 30th birthday.

Cast: Mommy - Sherry Lara; Daddy - Spanky Manikan; Leny - Regina de Vera

“Isang Araw sa Karnabal”

By Nicolas Pichay; Directed by Chris Millado

Two friends, who each have a family member believed to have “disappeared,” decide to spend a day in Enchanted Empire. They amble along the amusements unmindful of the strange shadows and silent screams following at their heels.

When twilight gives in to the dark, they discover a hideous roller coaster horror ride that has mutilated the lives of innocent people. Proud, damaged and unheeding, the two friends let themselves be lured by the sweet promise of harmless fun, only to find themselves booked in the longest ride to hell.

“Come ride, the Mother all horror. Twist of fate… Mutilation to all. The up and downs will bring you fun. We give you fear, where once there none.”

Cast: Toni - Sheenly Gener; Zaldy Mascot - Marco Viaña; Mumu - Martha Comia