Theater in the Philippines is booming—but who’s really talking about the people writing the reviews? PalabasTayo.com, a lifestyle and entertainment portal that spotlights the arts, the artists, and their quest for excellence, is about to change that. On November 3, 2025, it launches “Critic on Critic,” a two-part video series that throws the spotlight on theater reviewers Vincen Gregory Yu and Ryan Robert Flores. Produced in collaboration with Magnify MNL and powered by Playful Prescriptions, the series takes audiences inside the often misunderstood world of theater criticism.
Forget the myth that critics exist just to tear productions apart. “Critic on Critic” shows that reviewers can be allies, helping theater grow and guiding audiences to appreciate it more deeply. Viewers peek behind the curtain to see how critics think, write, and wrestle with the responsibility of judging art.
The Value of Honest Criticism
Playwright Luna Griño-Inocian welcomes this honesty: “As a writer, I welcome honest criticism since it helps me identify the strengths and flaws of my work… see it from other’s eyes, allowing me to take a good hard look, analyze which of their opinions are in sync with my vision or they do not fully get what I am trying to say. Either way, I grow and learn… and hopefully come up with better work.”
Oliver Oliveros, Regional Editor of Broadway World, underscores fairness: “We’re required to approach reviews with impartiality, offering critique that aims to inform and uplift rather than disparage. Reviews must be fair, fostering a constructive dialogue about the art form.”
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Produced with limited resources, the series still packs a punch. Vincen and Ryan reveal their theater preferences, revisit unforgettable review excerpts (both glowing and brutal) and share moments like being banned from shows, suffering through bad sound, and covering marathon-length performances.
Industry and Media Perspectives
New York–based designer Joey Mendoza insists on timely reviews: “My only strong feelings about reviews, other than being written by qualified people, involve the editors/publishers. If the purpose of reviews is to advise the gentle reader whether their money would be well spent, then they should be published as quickly as possible.”
Philippine Star columnists Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre weigh in: “With theater booming in the country, ‘Critic on Critic’ is most welcome… making our theater industry more robust and progressive.”
The series brims with insight, humor, and honesty, and viewer support will help improve future installments. Stream “Critic on Critic” on PalabasTayo.com’s official Facebook page starting November 3, 2025, and follow for updates on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
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