TAGALOG 2026, a festival of one-act plays experienced in our Mother tongue, with integrated English supertitles, opens November 5 and runs through November 21 at Bindlestiff Studio.

TAGALOG was created to reclaim Tagalog as a living theatrical language and affirm Filipino stories in a space where language is often lost to migration and assimilation. The festival pairs contemporary Manila-based playwrights with Filipino American artists and audiences, building cultural exchange across generations and geographies.

This year's lineup features the U.S. premieres of three plays drawn from Manila's Virgin Labfest:

"Ang Pag-Uulyanin Ni Olivia Mendoza" (The Forgetting of Olivia Mendoza) by Rolin Cadallo Obina, directed by Allan Samson Manalo — a 71-year-old woman's Alzheimer's begins to unravel a secret she has hidden to protect a hard-won love.

"Mommy G" by Jobert Grey Landeza, directed by Joe Cascasan — a mother's 65th birthday dinner becomes the setting for a family-altering announcement.

"Identité" by Jhudiel Clare D. Sosa, directed by Aureen Almario — a mother and daughter confront a hidden secret that tests their bond and their sense of self.

Content warning: strong language and mature themes.

Featuring: Trixia Apiado, Paolo Asuncion, Raphael Louis Buenaventura, Jay Bordon, Nic Feliciano, Eve Ganderosa, Nix Guirre, Archie Lacanilao, Faye Lacanilao, Samantha de la Serna, Nikki Santiago, and Patrick Silvestre.

November 5 - 21, 2026
Thursdays - Saturdays @ 7:30 pm
November 5 & 12, Pay-What-You Can Community Nights @ 7:30 pm
Opening Night, November 6 @ 7:30 pm. Reception immediately following
November 14, Matinee @ 2:00 pm

TAGALOG 2026 is made possible with support from Bindlestiff Studio, the San Francisco Arts Commission, the Theatre Bay Area CA$H grant program, and SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year.