PUREGOLD TEATRO PANALO Narrows 373 Entries Down to 26 Shortlisted Plays

Image courtesy of Puregold Teatro Panalo

Puregold Teatro Panalo has officially narrowed its inaugural field from 373 submissions to just 26 shortlisted one-act plays, bringing the festival one step closer to selecting the works that will make it to the stage in 2027.

The shortlist brings together both established names and emerging theater practitioners, with straight plays and musicals representing a wide range of voices and perspectives. Festival chair and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad said the response to the festival reflected the depth of talent within the Philippine theater community, with the selection process ultimately producing what she described as a compelling mix of stories and creative voices.

The 16 shortlisted straight plays are:

• “@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

The 10 shortlisted musicals are:

• “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

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Festival director Vincent de Jesus said the next stage of the process will be even more competitive, as only 12 of the 26 shortlisted works will eventually make it to the inaugural festival. “From this bunch, only the very best of the best will make it to the stage in February,” he said, adding that Teatro Panalo aims to showcase Filipino theater talent while helping develop new works for the future.

The final lineup will consist of eight straight plays and four musicals. All 12 selected works will be staged during the inaugural Puregold Teatro Panalo, which runs from February 20 to March 14, 2027.

Each selected playwright will receive ₱100,000 in financial compensation, along with development and production support from festival organizer Wishbone Collective Inc. After the festival, one straight play and one musical will also receive development grants to expand their one-act works into full-length theatrical productions.

From 373 submissions to 26 shortlisted works, the competition is now entering its most crucial stage. The next announcement will determine the 12 plays and musicals that will officially become part of Puregold Teatro Panalo’s first-ever festival lineup.