Angelica Panganiban is set to make her much-anticipated theater debut in “Don’t Meow for Me, Catriona”, one of the featured plays in this year’s Virgin Labfest. The production will run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez from June 14 to 29, 2025.
Panganiban shared the news on Instagram, posting the play’s official poster along with a heartfelt message: “Isang oportunidad na hindi ko akalaing darating sa buhay ko. Sana, buong puso ninyo kong tanggapin at bigyan ng pagkakataon sa entablado.” (“An opportunity I never thought would come into my life. I hope you welcome me wholeheartedly and give me a chance on stage.”)
Her announcement was met with enthusiasm and support from fans and fellow celebrities, including Iza Calzado, Ria Atayde, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Hershey Neri, director Andoy Ranay, and theater icon Joanna Ampil.
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Written by Ryan Machado and directed by Toni Go-Yadao, “Don’t Meow for Me, Catriona” follows a daughter waiting for a bus with her mother while reflecting on her dreams and the complicated love that both binds and breaks families. Panganiban will be joined onstage by veteran actress Peewee O’Hara.
The play is part of “Virgin Labfest XX: HINOG”, which marks the 20th anniversary of the country’s premier festival for “untried, untested, and unstaged” one-act plays. Running from June 11 to 29, 2025, at the CCP Black Box Theater, this year’s festival features 12 new works from eight first-time playwrights and four returning ones.
Now celebrating two decades, the Virgin Labfest continues to be a vital space for bold, honest storytelling, and for nurturing both emerging and established talents in Philippine theater. Angelica Panganiban’s stage debut is a highlight of this milestone edition—adding a new dimension to her acting journey and bringing fresh excitement to the festival stage.
This article is based on Hannah Mallorca’s reporting from INQUIRER.net.
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