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What do you do when your friend is just… gone?

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A friend of mine recently passed away. It was sudden. It was unexpected. It was painful. It is still painful. I grew up making friends everywhere I go; whether they last long or not, I always take my time with them as something to cherish and learn from. Paolo was one of those people I never knew how the friendship came to be — never really understood how or why or when or where; it just happened. Paolo happened. He was tall, lanky, wore really high-grade glasses, clumsy, smart, funny — I could go on. Paolo was a dear human being I never knew I’d be able to keep up with. My energy could go high, but his goes higher than anyone I know — and I’m not complaining, not at all; I’m merely fascinated by it. He cared deeply. He loved deeply. He felt everything deeply. He felt everything deeply almost to a fault.  Not that I hate it or blame him for it, but there were days I just wanted him to be selfish. For him to be selfish enough to go all out with what he wanted and not give way to hi...
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So Queer, So Good: Virgin Labfest 2025 Hits a Nerve

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VLF will run at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez this June 11 to 29, 2025. Last week, I was invited to the previews for this year's VLF Sets A, B, and C and here’s my verdict: This is one of the most inspiring, unsettling (in a good way), and proudly queer seasons Virgin Labfest has ever staged. This year marks the 20th edition of the  Virgin Labfest (VLF)  a milestone for the country’s most daring and essential theater festival for new works. Held at the  Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez , VLF continues to be a space for untested, unstaged, and unapologetically bold plays. The 2025 season,  HINOG!  ( meaning “ripe” in Filipino ), reflects the artistic maturity of its lineup: emotionally charged, thematically sharp, and more collaborative than ever. From production design and direction to casting and music, this year’s Labfest feels richer, riskier, and more refined. And let’s be real:  the queers carried this season . Across all sets, queer narratives and performa...
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The Pope Who Spoke to Us And Listened Back

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"Pope Francis has died at the age of 88." I read it again in disbelief. This was the first headline I saw when I opened my phone the other day and it hit me harder than I ever expected. Coming from a predominantly Catholic country, I immediately felt a deep, collective sense of loss. Pope Francis wasn’t just a religious figure; he was a symbol of humility, courage, and open dialogue in an increasingly divided world. I watched  “The Pope: Answers (Francisco Responde)”  when it was released two years ago ( and rewatched it last night ), and that documentary completely shifted my perception of him. I wasn’t particularly devout, but after watching it, I found myself truly admiring the man behind the title. In an era where many of my generation have distanced themselves from the Church, questioning its relevance, feeling disillusioned by its slow evolution — Pope Francis stood out as a beacon of empathy and reform. The documentary is nothing short of miraculous.  In it, Pope F...
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Mga Anak ng Unos: Two Stories, One Urgent Message

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Forget the screen; the real climate crisis unfolds with startling power on stage in Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas' latest offering,  Mga Anak ng Unos .  More than just a theatrical performance, this double bill under the DUP INNOVATE banner is a visceral experience that will grip you from the moment the lights dim. It's the kind of show that masterfully blends laughter, reflection, and breathless anticipation, often within the same captivating scene, delivering on its promise to explore the climate crisis in profoundly new ways. Photo by Dulaang UP Sa Gitna ng Digmaan ng mga Mahiwagang Nilalang Laban sa Sangkatauhan The title might conjure images of a fantastical Netflix series, but don't be deceived. While this piece initially draws you in with myth and magic, it cleverly evolves into something deeply and surprisingly real. It's a testament to witty writing, genuine heart, and layered meaning. While the mystical jargon might require initial attention, the reward is ...
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UNRELENTINGLY RAW: Anino Delivers a Gritty, Unforgettable Experience

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(Martin del Rosario,  Elora Españo, and Ross Pesigan) I finally had the chance to watch  Anino sa Likod ng Buwan  at the PETA Theatre in Quezon City the other week and what an experience it was. IdeaFirst Company's restaging of Jun Robles Lana’s play ( written when he was just 19 ) s et during the turbulent 1990s war between the New People’s Army and the Philippine Military, this production beautifully explores themes that r ings true even 30 years later. Director Tuxqs Rutaquio’s vision is nothing short of breathtaking. With a cast led by Martin del Rosario, Elora Españo, and Ross Pesigan, every moment on stage crackles with raw intensity and undeniable passion. In his theatrical debut, Martin del Rosario portrays Joel,  a charismatic soldier whose dangerous allure is mixed with vulnerability  ( as  he begged and cried beautifully I might add — so Emma, I get it ) . His performance is both menacing  and mesmerising, as if he’s playing mind games with...
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KISAPMATA on Stage: A Dark, Haunting Rebirth of a Filipino Classic [spoilers] [review]

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KISAPMATA on Stage: A Dark, Haunting Rebirth of a Filipino Classic Tanghalang Pilipino recently offered the public a preview of one of Manila’s most anticipated shows — a stage adaptation of  KISAPMATA , inspired by National Artist Nick Joaquin’s  The House on Zapote Street  and Mike de Leon’s 1981 film  KISAPMATA . I was fortunate to be among the lucky few who experienced it firsthand. I grew up captivated by Nick Joaquin’s reportage series; his stories inspired, guided, and sometimes even frightened me.  The House on Zapote Street  remains one of those narratives that still unsettles me, having been the very first story featured in Quijano de Manila’s Reportage on Crime — a pen name ( meaning Manila Old-Timer ) he used when he began as a contributing writer. Though the story was less than twenty pages long, it transformed my 11-year-old mind and turned me into a lifelong fan. My dad once had a pirated copy of Mike de Leon’s  KISAPMATA , which we pick...
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Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Review [spoilers ahead]

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  Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Review I still vividly remember the feeling I had before watching the first Bridget Jones film. I was in my early teens, utterly enamored with Colin Firth ever since  Pride and Prejudice , and the idea of him competing against Hugh Grant — my favorite from  Four Weddings and a Funeral,  had me completely invested. I loved it. Now in my early twenties, I've seen all three films several times; they've become my comfort movies, along with countless realizations about the series.  One realization, as I've grown, is that Bridget Jones was never fat. I just finished watching  Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,  the final chapter in the series and I am in awe; it felt as if a chapter of my life had just ended. I still recall how I felt when I first saw the film in my teens. It was fun and fascinating, and I hoped that as I got older, I’d continue to experience that joy. Rewatching it with a fresh perspective and after countle...
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