‘Patlang’ Brings an Intimate Café Theater Experience This August

Act Avenue will present Patlang, an intimate café theater experience featuring original Filipino plays, live music, dance, and poetry, on August 22 and 29 at Coffee Chapters in Pasay City.

Mounted in partnership with Coffee Chapters as part of the café’s third anniversary celebration, the production transforms the café into an alternative performance space for an evening of multidisciplinary storytelling.

With only 50 seats available per performance, Patlang explores the idea of the patlang—the pause between words, the silence between conversations, and the quiet moments where reflection, connection, and understanding begin. Through stories shared over coffee, the production examines themes of human connection and the value of slowing down amid the pace of everyday life.

Directed by Alex Baylon, Patlang brings together three original Filipino one-act plays exploring themes of love, identity, healing, and what it means to be human.

The first, The Interview, written by Kim Anthony Vergara, follows a routine premarital church interview that becomes an unexpected reunion, forcing two people to face the unresolved chapters of their shared past. The play features Shine Villanueva / Lyn Ercilla alongside Mark Pelicano / Marion Brusoto.

Baylon’s I’m Fine, Darling follows a seemingly ordinary blind date that takes an unexpected turn when two former schoolmates are forced to confront a past that neither of them can leave behind. The play features Cedrick Lopez and Edjie Maglano.

Also written by Baylon, Stop Over centers on two lifelong friends who, during a brief stop on a long journey, find themselves at a crossroads where old conversations lead to life-changing decisions. The production features Abet Abesamis and Ray Raña.

Complementing the theatrical performances are guest artists from other creative disciplines: Cloie Revilla will perform music, Jhaymie Quistoria will present a dance performance, and Jannylie Cayabyab and Lucky Historia will deliver poetry performances on August 22 and 29, respectively.

According to the organizers, Patlang serves as Act Avenue’s pilot initiative for alternative-space programming, reimagining cafés and other community spaces as venues for original Filipino storytelling while providing opportunities for emerging playwrights, performers, musicians, dancers, poets, and storytellers to connect with new audiences.

Tickets are priced at ₱600 and include admission to the full program as well as one complimentary handcrafted coffee beverage. For ticket reservations and event updates, follow Act Avenue and Coffee Chapters on Facebook.

Patlang runs on August 22 and 29, 2026, from 7 PM to 9 PM at Coffee Chapters along P. Burgos Street in Libertad, Pasay City.