my verdict: 2 out of 3

Here's my take on what I saw last Saturday, the third set of Virgin Labfest 3 (summary provided by the organizers as released to the press):

XX AND X: BABALA: HINDI PANG-ISIP BATA, is the most unsettling and disturbing compilation of the season. We enjoin you to widen your understanding, come in with an open mind and expect the unexpected.

Séance by Auggie Arcenas and directed by Erick Castro is a quiet yet intense confrontation between a fortune teller and her customer that becomes a battle of wit and a revelation of small cruelties and hypocrisies.

(This was a very nice opener and it elicited so much laughter from the crowd. My only comment was that the person who played the character, Cecil, had a hard time at some point to distinguish the fortune teller Aling Esther from Aling Doray (who was the one who led her to Aling Esther)).

Allan Lopez’ Kasaysayan, directed by Victor Villareal, is a rather macabre rendition of capitalist barbarism and a gruesome exploration of the weird, horrible ways of the bourgeoisie set in the fictional future.

(I have four comments for this – DEEP, DARK, DISTURBING, and DISAPPOINTING. Or maybe I am just being finicky. But judging from the audiences' reception, I believe it's just right that this was sandwiched between two equally good plays. And to think this was even promoted in one of the yahoo groups where I am a member, and so is the writer of the play. To understand what I'm talking about, go see screenings on July 5 (8:00 PM) and July 6 (3:00 PM) then you judge for yourself. Maybe, just maybe, you would also utter (ala Bodie Cruz,) WHAAATTT !!!

My Padir is an OCW by George Vail Kabristante, directed by Issa Lopez, is about an aging transvestite’s bizarre association with a young dancer who harbors a family secret.

(Laughter to the highest level! If they didn't include the antics, the story line would have passed for the dramatic genre. For a while I thought that the character Joanna was the same person I saw last year. But when the character took off his wig...surprise! It was the now lean Ricky Rivero, with visible triceps every time he turns around. Also, all three actors were awesome. This is actually a great way to end the night.)

Two out of three isn't bad at all. I could honestly say "no money wasted". But it couldn't live up to what I saw last year. Hopefully, next year would be better.

*** My BFF Mitch accompanied me to this one. Prior to the play, we had our dinner at Goldilocks where we had fresh lumpia, palabok, and sago't gulaman (yum!). I also introduced her to some GO NUTS DONUTS and I guess she loved it undoubtedly. Until next time, ganda!!!