Queer Theater Festival by Teatro Marco to Run This June
Independent theater collective Teatro Marco is set to launch QTFest 2026, its first-ever queer theater festival, on June 20 and 21 at 3 PM and 6 PM at Teatro Marco in Maginhawa, Quezon City.
The festival features four original plays presented in two performance sets.
SET A, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
1. Pilar Pilapil by Pat Javier
Director: Dwyt Geronimo
Cast:
Alfy Gaganting as Amor
Isla Saavedra as Mercedes
Madi Catalan as Celeste
Running time: 25 minutes
Pilar Pilapil is a short play set in a Miss Gay beauty contest in Quiapo exploring the different definitions of womanhood through the lens of a Transpinay. Does being a woman have one linear definition? These three women coming from strikingly different generations break the archetype of what a woman should look like.
2. Exsena sa Backstage by Charles Gollayan
Director: Sey Blanco
Cast:
Leandre Dopale as Lady Gaga
Amber Verchez as Beyonce
Rigo De Borja as Diana Ross
Running time: 40 minutes
Isang oras bago ang inaabangang Tribute Night para sa mga pop icons na sina Beyonce at Gaga, hindi lang makeup at wig ang uungkatin ng drag queens na sina Angel at Marina, pati na rin ang exsena nila bilang dating magkasintahan. Sa serye ng mga back to back to back lipsync challenges, may pag-asa pa kayang maibalik nila ang dating saya ng pag-iibigan?
SET B, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
1. Dalaga Na Kami by Mae Malaya
Director: Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo
Cast:
Aleczandra Ong as Klara
Cyrus Joshua Bon as Kristian
Running time: 40 minutes
Dalaga Na Kami explores sisterhood between a young adolescent girl who just had her first period, and her queer older brother who laments his own version of pagdadalaga.
2. Our Lady of Mama Hello Kitty by Mara Paulynne
Director: Marco Ghosn
Cast:
Sophia Nario as Lea
Michelle Samby as Rhea
Irish Jane Oliveros as Jane
Lucky Charles Historia as Cashier
Running time: 20 minutes
Our Lady of Mama Hello Kitty revolves around a WLW family and their assigned female at birth child, who turns out to be straight. The narrative explores how the family reacts to this situation, mirroring how some parents in the real world often respond when their child comes out as gay.
Teatro Marco traces its roots to Ampalaya Monologues, a performance movement created by Marco Ghosn in 2015. Known for its raw, heartfelt monologues and spoken-word pieces about heartbreak, love, loss, and the bittersweet realities of growing up, Ampalaya Monologues cultivated a dedicated following among Filipino audiences.
Building on the success of Ampalaya Monologues, Teatro Marco Inc. was established and now operates a black box theater along Maginhawa Street. Dedicated to contemporary Filipino narratives, the company serves as a creative home for independent artists, supporting emerging voices while aiming to produce theater that is truthful, entertaining, intimate, and socially resonant.
Tickets are P799 per set or P1,200 for a day pass. Tickets are available via the group’s Paymongo page.
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