There are interesting familial combination and intersection between two actors or among actors from the same bloodline headlining a show business venture like in the currently showing 2026 Virgin Labfest, aptly themed "Hubo't Hubad," no holds-bar at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, the Blackbox Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Virgin Labfest, the theater festival initiated by the CCP in collaboration with Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) now on its 21st year has been featuring actors and actresses from the movies, television and other multimedia.
In the course of casting diverse artists from various media, a familial mix of stars happen because of common pursuits of artistic mission and integrity among kins in the entertainment industry.
This year, two sets of actors from their respective lineage have been ubiquitously occupying the same stage from June 3 to 28, 2026.
One of them is the mother and daughter team of Angel Aquino and Iana Bernardez, respectively.
While Angel has been in the acting field for more than three decades, Iana has just made her maiden screen and stage appearances short of only one decade but she has won admiration and support from fans.
Iana might not be easily known publicly as well as in the showbiz industry as well as Angel's daughter but many in the theater industry are aware that they are relatives.
According to Angel, she does not bar nor discourage Iana to be in the same field as she is.
From the beginning, though, Bernardez has been very independent from her mom but pieces of advice the mom gives to her daughter for her personal as well as professional growth.
In this year's Virgin Labfest, Iana and Angel share the same stage in Gab Mactal's "Lualhati" with young director Mara Paulina Marasigan at the helm.
“Lualhati” which is classified as Set B, described as “Kapit-Tuko,” is set in an almost secluded area of the courtyard during the last night of the wake for the late Reverend Mother of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn convent.
According to the CCP Corporate Communications, Jacinta, a former nun, now Philosophy professor, finds herself face to face with Lualhati, a nun from her time at the convent, after almost 20 years. As past and present collapse into one another, memories resurface of their faith, growing love, and a choice that would determine everything.
Between each of their callings and the shadow of the Church that shaped them, each woman must reconcile with the consequences of their actions all those years ago and decide whether or not unearthing the past deepens or heals their wounds.
The other filial piety on and off-stage is the bond between father Carlos Siguion-Reyna and son Rafa Siguion-Reyna.
Yes, the kindred Carlos and Rafa are together for the first time in the “virgin” play “Elehiya” for the Virgin Labfest XXI where they are taking the Ignacio Gimenez Theater by storm.
“Elehiya,” a play piece written by Dustin Celestino and directed by Ron Capinding, categorized as Set C, colorfully described as “Balat-Kalabaw,” is a collection of monologues. It is an impressionistic montage of the important conversations that should have taken place between sons and their fathers, but never did.
Rafa plays Kulas while Carlos portrays Nick.
If you combine the two names, it is Nick Kulas or Nicholas.
Rafa has been a fixture in Philippine theater.
One of his most memorable stage performances was “Baka Naman Hindi,” a Filipino translation by Virgilio “Beer” Flores of the world drama “A Flea in Her Ear” written by Georges Faydeau.
Carlos is also a theater actor aside from being a film, television and stage director.
Meanwhile, CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan also stars in the “Elehiya” play.
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