From 373 original entries, Puregold Teatro Panalo has officially announced its shortlist of 26 one-act plays.

Straight plays and musicals were submitted by a wide range of theatrical practitioners, from respected veterans of the scene to exciting up-and-comers. All of them took the chance to be part of the first-ever Puregold Teatro Panalo, and now only 26 have advanced to the next stage of the selection process.

Festival chair and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Havagan-Piedad spoke on the significance of the first-ever shortlist.

“We received a remarkable level of interest in the first Puregold Teatro Panalo,” said Havagan-Piedad. “The volume and quality of submissions reflect the depth of Filipino talent and the continued vitality of the country’s theatrical community. Narrowing the entries down was a rigorous process, and the 26 represent a compelling mix of stories, perspectives, and creative voices with the potential to be brought to the stage.”

The 26 shortlisted one-act plays of the Puregold Teatro Panalo include:

STRAIGHT PLAYS

• “@Home” by Edralin Cabrera, Kathlyn Castillo, Michael Ian Lomongo, Marjorie Lorico, Maria Teresa Jamias, & J. Victor Villareal

• "Ang Huling Panawagan” by Mubarak M. Tahir

• “Ang Pagbabalik ng Voltes V” by Neil Arkhe Azcuna

• “Mga Diwata IRL” by Jay M. Crisostomo IV

• “Nang Muli Kang Makanta” by Ma. Angelica S. Chiuñeta

• “Nothing But Dreams” by Ricardo C. Novenario

• “Palabas/Exit” by Angel Oclarit

• “Pax Silica” by Robert Arlou De Guzman

• “Silang mga Bayani” by Anthony Kim Vergara

• “Soap Opera” by Jerry O’Hara

• “The Boy Foretold by the Stars” by Dolly Dulu

• “The Girl Scout Law” by Rhain Arabella Alcoriza

• “Trahedya ng Kamote” by Mariany S. Manalastas

• “True to Life” by John “Sweet” Lapus

• “Walang Maliit na Bagay” by Joshua Lim So

• “Youngstunna” by Jerom Andrei M. Canlas

MUSICALS

• "Ang Maamong Balita Sumala Kang Bibo Bautista” by Jude Thaddeus M. Gitamondoc

• “At Bumaba Ang Mga Tala” by John Rey Tayag Magin

• “Baka Mali ang Tamaraw” by Emmanuel Benbinto Antonio

• “City in Darkness: A Lockdown Musical” by Senedy Que

• “Feverish Time” by John Edick R. Alcontado

• “Manang-Mana Nga!” by Steven Hotchkiss

• “Outside Looking In” by Timothy Carlo Racho & Michael Angelo Lopez

• “Tagpuan” by John Austin Perez

• “Tala” by Jiezl Virmy Chua

• “The Fourth Wall Has Fallen” by Heber Justin P. O’Hara

Festival director Vincent de Jesus believes the shortlisted works demonstrate great promise for the festival.

“It was difficult enough narrowing things down to 26 deserving one-act plays,” said de Jesus. “From this bunch, only the very best of the best will make it to the stage in February. The Puregold Teatro Panalo will be a showcase of the many talented Filipinos working in theater today and will be breeding ground for many great works to come.”

From the 26 shortlisted works, only 12 will be selected to form the inaugural festival’s lineup. Of those 12, there will be eight straight plays and four musicals, all of which will be staged at the upcoming festival from February 20 to March 14, 2027.

The selected playwrights will receive ₱100,000 in financial compensation on top of development and production support from festival organizers Wishbone Collective Inc. At the end of the festival, one straight play and one musical will receive development grants set to turn these one-act plays into full-length theatrical productions.