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.

Featuring: Trixia Apiado, Paolo Asuncion, Raphael Louis Buenaventura, Jay Bordon, Nic Feliciano, Eve Ganderosa, Nix Guirre, Archie Lacanilao, Faye Lacanilao, Kiki Lopez, 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.