#TheaterPH - The Heart Behind the Curtain: How VLF XX’s Stage and Production Managers ‘Mothered’ the Festival Into Life
In the world of theater, the spotlight often shines on the actors, the playwrights, and the directors. But behind every seamless scene change and every perfectly timed cue is a team of unsung heroes—those who “mother” the production into being with care, patience, and quiet strength.
At this year’s Virgin Labfest XX: Hinog, the term “mothering” took on a deeper, more inclusive meaning. No longer confined to gender or biology, “mothering” became a verb—an act of nurturing, guiding, and holding space for others. And no one embodied this more than the festival’s stage and production managers.
Leading with Heart
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| Camilo De Guzman |
For Camilo De Guzman, who stepped into the role of festival stage manager after debuting at VLF in 2022, the job is all about adaptability. “Not everyone responds to the same kind of guidance,” they shared. “It’s about learning how to communicate with each person in a way that works for them.”
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| Daniel Gregorio |
Daniel Gregorio, assistant production manager, believes that mothering starts with listening. “You have to watch over them, listen to their concerns, and understand where they’re coming from before you respond,” they said. Having started as a costume mistress in 2012, Gregorio has long embraced the idea of treating everyone in the production like family.
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| Rafa Lubigan |
For Rafa Lubigan, a decade-long VLF veteran, the essence of stage management can be summed up in one word: care. “Everything stems from caring,” they said. “Even when I’m being tough, it’s because I care about the production. That’s what drives me.”
Embracing the Role
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| Sandie Javier |
Sandie Javier, this year’s production manager, stepped into the role with fresh eyes and an open heart. Coming from a non-theater background, she likened the experience to becoming a first-time mother. “I didn’t know many people in the VLF community, so I had to build those relationships from scratch,” she said. “But I embraced the role wholeheartedly.”
A Festival That Nurtures
Now celebrating its 20th year, Virgin Labfest XX: Hinog continues to be a space where untested, untried, and unstaged works come to life. It’s a festival that has “mothered” generations of Filipino theater artists—offering them not just a platform, but a home.
And behind every powerful performance and every standing ovation are the stage and production managers who mothered it all into being.
Want to catch the magic of VLF XX: Hinog? Check out the official social media pages of VLF, CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Writer’s Bloc for schedules and ticket info. For group discounts and inquiries, email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph.
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