The first-ever Puregold Teatro Panalo is moving closer to the stage, with 26 one-act plays officially making the shortlist from a pool of 373 original entries submitted by Filipino theater practitioners.
The shortlist represents a diverse selection of theatrical works spanning both straight plays and musicals, bringing together established names in Philippine theater and emerging creative voices. From stories rooted in Filipino experiences to imaginative and contemporary concepts, the selected works reflect the range of storytelling currently thriving within the country’s theater community.
For Puregold Teatro Panalo festival chair and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, the strong response to the inaugural program demonstrates the depth of talent within Philippine theater.
“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.”
She added that narrowing down the entries was a rigorous process, with the final 26 representing a compelling mix of stories, perspectives, and creative voices that have the potential to come alive on stage.
26 One-Act Plays Make the Puregold Teatro Panalo Shortlist
The shortlisted works are divided into two categories: 16 straight plays and 10 musicals.
Straight Plays
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
Musicals
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
Only 12 Plays Will Make It to the Festival
While 26 works have advanced to the shortlist, the competition is far from over. Only 12 one-act plays will ultimately be selected for the inaugural Puregold Teatro Panalo festival.
The final lineup will consist of eight straight plays and four musicals, giving audiences an opportunity to experience a diverse selection of Filipino theatrical works.
Festival director Vincent de Jesus said the shortlisted works demonstrate considerable promise, while acknowledging the difficulty of selecting the finalists from the original submissions.
“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.”
According to de Jesus, the festival aims to showcase the talent of Filipinos working in theater while providing an environment where new and promising works can continue to develop.
Puregold Teatro Panalo Set for 2027
The inaugural Puregold Teatro Panalo festival is scheduled to run from February 20 to March 14, 2027.
Beyond providing a platform for one-act plays, the program is designed to support the development of Filipino theater works and the artists behind them. The selected playwrights will receive ₱100,000 in financial compensation, alongside development and production support from festival organizers Wishbone Collective Inc.
The program also looks beyond the festival itself. At the conclusion of the theatrical run, one straight play and one musical will receive development grants intended to help transform the winning one-act works into full-length theatrical productions.
This gives the initiative a longer-term role in nurturing Filipino theater, allowing selected works to potentially continue beyond their initial staging.
Celebrating Filipino Theater and New Voices
With hundreds of original entries submitted for its inaugural edition, Puregold Teatro Panalo has already demonstrated the breadth of interest in creating and developing new Filipino theater.
The announcement of the 26 shortlisted plays marks another important step toward the festival’s first staging. As the selection process continues, playwrights and theater practitioners behind the remaining works now have the opportunity to see their stories move closer to a live audience.
Ultimately, the 12 works that make it to the festival will represent a new collection of theatrical voices, while the development grants could give two of these works a second life as full-length productions.
For Philippine theater, Puregold Teatro Panalo offers more than a competition—it provides a platform for new stories, emerging voices, creative experimentation, and the continued development of Filipino theatrical works.
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