‘Malasimbo’ from Virgin Labfest Bikol Gets Full Staging This September
Tabsing Kolektib PH is set to stage Malasimbo, a play by Jan Jan Gernale Mohametano that was first presented as one of eight featured works in the first Virgin Labfest held in Bikol in July 2026. The production will run from September 24 to 27 at Don Federico Hall (Presidencia) in Sorsogon.
Directed by Eljay Castro Deldoc, Malasimbo follows Alyssa, a young nurse from Manila who travels to Matnog in search of Mayong, an old man whose name was the last thing her grandmother uttered before she died. Hoping to uncover the truth behind her grandmother’s stories of the mysterious tawong lipod and the real reason she left the province years ago, Alyssa eventually finds Mayong, who has been tormented by nightmares for decades.
As Mayong recounts his memories, Alyssa begins to uncover a dark connection between him, her grandmother, and the stories that shaped her childhood. Her search for her family history ultimately becomes a reckoning with a past that both she and Mayong have spent their lives trying to escape.
As reported by Reinnard Balonzo for Rappler, Malasimbo delves into the sexual exploitation of women by American colonizers during the Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1902, exploring how local communities attributed victims’ trauma-induced symptoms to engkantos or mythical creatures.
Mohametano wrote Malasimbo in 2024 before eventually submitting the work to Virgin Labfest Bikol.
“May mundong hindi natin nakikita. Iniiwasan nating makita. Pero laging nariyan,” Mohametano says. “Mag-iisang taon akong nagpahinga sa pagsulat matapos ang sunud-sunod na frustration. Dahil wala akong naisulat para sa VLF Bikol, nahalungkat ko ang dulang ito na sinulat ko noong 2024 pa. Sabi ng isang kaibigan, minsan talaga, may hinihintay lang na tamang panahon at platform ang mga dula. Nakabalik ako dahil sa Malasimbo.”
The cast features Drew Espenocilla and Tatin Pelenia alternating as Mayong, Zyrill Arisga and Ivon Abarnas alternating as Alyssa, and James Carl Bernas and Aljo Alunan alternating as Michael. Mary Claire Grantos, Jared Palma, Eunice Handig, Frances Bañaga, April Gicaro, and Jannie Obispo play the Tawong Lipod.
Joining Deldoc, who also serves as set designer, in the artistic team are Aia Glina (music and sound designer), Cyril Balderama (choreographer), Ruzzi Gabelo (stage manager), Chase Gicaro and Maan Porcalla (costume and make-up consultants), and Drew Espenocilla (poster designer).
Established in 2012 in Bulan, Sorsogon, Tabsing Kolektib PH is a theater group that uses theater as a means of raising social awareness and fostering artistic development within individuals and communities.
Malasimbo will run from September 24 to 27, with performances at 1 PM, 4 PM, and 7 PM at Don Federico Hall (Presidencia). Tickets are priced at ₱120 for VIP and ₱70 for regular/student admission.
Tabsing Kolektib PH is also accepting donations in support of the production through GCash (0917 559 1196, Eljay D.) and BPI (3219072782, Eljay Deldoc).
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