Star Powerhouse

 For its 92nd season, the Far Eastern University Theater Guild presents a fractured paradise in “Bangaw,” a Filipino adaptation of Sir William Golding’s 1954 masterpiece Lord of the Flies . Under the sharp direction of Dudz Teraña, the production reimagines the classic descent from civilization into barbarism through a distinctly local lens, reaffirming once again why FTG remains a bastion of provocative student theater. Co-written by Teraña and fellow Philippine Educational Theater Association artist-teacher Gold Villar-Lim, “Bangaw” transports the familiar tale of stranded schoolboys to a remote island in the Visayas. Following a plane crash that leaves a group of high school students without adult supervision or rules, their initial mission of survival quickly unravels. What begins as an attempt to reconstruct order is soon poisoned by a growing fascination with bloodlust and the paranoia of a monster lurking in the forest. The play’s title finds its chilling physical form when ...

Hayde Portal, Louis Dormido, Hector Gloria, and Jerianne Panisales in Manokan Country   The Diwa Filipino Film Festival, in collaboration with the annual Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, is returning to the Seattle Center Armory Loft 2 this June. Among the 30 films selected to celebrate the Filipino spirit and diaspora is  “Manokan Country,”  a heartwarming short film that brings the flavors and resilience of Bacolod City to the Pacific Northwest. As part of the “Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh” program,  “Manokan Country”  will be shown on June 7, Sunday, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., together with “Guys! Action!” by Jem Catabijan, “Philip vs. The School” by Terrence Santiago,  “Ambag”  (Impact) by Mark Giddel Liwanag, and  “Te Seguiré a la Oscuridad”  by Joy Regullano. Written and directed by Banjo Hinolan,  “Manokan Country”  is a 20-minute comedy-drama that captures the soul of Bacolod City’s culinary heritage. The story follows Raul (...

GAWAD CCP PARA SA SINING 2024 Awards Night at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater last September 20, 2024 - Kiko Cabuena  The Cultural Center of the Philippines has officially opened public nominations for the prestigious Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2026, the highest recognition bestowed by the CCP on Filipino artists, cultural workers, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and culture. The award honors individuals and groups in the fields of architecture, dance, film and broadcast arts, literature, music, theater, and visual arts who have consistently created outstanding works or developed distinct styles and techniques that helped shape and enrich their respective art forms in the country. Beyond artistic excellence, the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining also recognizes cultural workers and advocates whose efforts in research, curatorship, arts management, and cultural administration have strengthened and promoted Philippine culture...

 Global pop phenomenon Westlife is officially returning to the Philippines as the beloved Irish boy band brings its highly anticipated “WESTLIFE 25: The Anniversary World Tour” to Manila on January 20, 2027 at the iconic SM Mall of Asia Arena . Presented by Wilbros Live , the Manila concert is expected to be one of the biggest pop music events of 2027 as Filipino fans reunite with Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, and Mark Feehily for a night filled with timeless hits, emotional ballads, and unforgettable performances. Tickets for the Manila show will officially go on sale on May 15, Friday, at 12PM via SM Tickets and SM Tickets outlets nationwide. The Asia leg of the “WESTLIFE 25: The Anniversary World Tour” follows the group’s major European and UK tour beginning in September 2026, including a 13-date residency in Dublin. Celebrating 25 years of music and global success, Westlife will perform a euphoric setlist featuring their biggest chart-topping songs including “You Raise...

  Repertory Philippines (REP) enlivens the local theater scene as it brings the inspiring and beloved story of literary hero Don Quixote to the stage in the much-anticipated production of the seminal classic Man of La Mancha . With a limited four-weekend run from June 5 to 28 at the REP Eastwood Theater , the 2026 staging of Man of La Mancha not only harks back to REP’s legacy but also offers a revitalized take for today’s theatergoers. The musical will be brought to life by young director Nelsito Gomez , known for his fresh, creative, and relevant (and mostly lauded) takes on the masterworks of literary pantheons, from Shakespeare to Goethe. With him at the helm, one can expect this Cervantine musical about one man’s refusal to give up his impossible dream to be even more impactful and meaningful to the new generation.  The cast of 2026 REP staging features Nonie Buencamino ,  Katrine Sunga ,  Marvin Ong , Tarek El Tayech, Alfredo Reyes, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, ...

Photos courtesy of PETA, shot by Paw Castillo. The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is set to captivate theatergoers once again with the highly anticipated staging of Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter! , a daring and razor-sharp theatrical satire headlined by Eugene Domingo . Following the success of its critically acclaimed film trilogy, the iconic franchise officially transitions from screen to live stage performance, offering audiences a fresh yet familiar exploration of Philippine entertainment culture through comedy, spectacle, and fearless social commentary. The production will run for 50 performances from June 19 to August 16, 2026 at the PETA Theater Center , with matinee shows scheduled at 2:00 PM and evening performances at 7:30 PM. Written by acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Chris Martinez and directed by celebrated theater director Maribel Legarda , the newest installment shifts its focus toward the evolving landscape of Philippin...

  The Virgin Labfest (VLF) officially comes of age in its 21st edition, stripping down all pretense of innocence while showcasing the bold Filipino voice and spirit. As it nurtures emerging and established playwrights, directors, actors, and designers, it revels in the artistic and creative desires expressed through fearless storytelling.   Guided by the theme Hubo’t Hubad , this year’s VLF reflects on the many ways people reveal themselves. It invites audiences to engage with works that expose layers of identity, memory, and vulnerability.   Offering a deeper understanding of the human experience, the country’s theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays returns with 12 “virgin” scripts this June 3 to 28, 2026, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).   Unrestrained tales of the human experience   Featuring new works by eight “virgin” playwrights and four returning playwrights, VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD elaborates on the unbri...

Embodying the spirit of interconnectedness this National Heritage Month, the CCP Channel curates a thoughtful selection of digital content that highlights the rich Philippine heritage. Aligned with this year’s theme, “ Roots and Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future, ” symbolized by the banig (woven mat), the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ online streaming platform weaves together stories that bridge generations to shape national sensibility.  This May, the CCP Channel presents select films from the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, entries from Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, Virgin Labfest (VLF) one-act featured plays, and  CCP T(A)YONG Dalawa: Indak sa Saliw ng Pusong Umiibig instructional videos on folk and indigenous dances.   Dive into VLF, Gawad Alternatibo, and Cinemalaya through the CCP Channel Catch filmmaker Iar Arondaing’s Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma on the CCP Channel. This Cinemalaya 2018 entry...