“ATENG” Takes the Spotlight: Palanca-winning play by Vincent DeJesus stages at Rampa Drag Club

Produced by RS Francisco and Boy Abunda, the Palanca-winning one-act play “ATENG” by Vincent A. DeJesus is set to take center stage at Rampa Drag Club — where theater meets drag, and storytelling finds new shimmer under the spotlight.

Winner of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature (One-Act Play), “ATENG” unfolds in Marikina in 2005, capturing one stormy night inside a small neighborhood beauty parlor — a place where humor, heartbreak, and humanity collide. Without revealing too much, it’s a story that explores the bonds of siblinghood, the weight of survival, and the fierce beauty of queer resilience — told through DeJesus’ signature mix of biting wit and emotional truth.

A powerhouse creative team
Guiding the production is director Rem Zamora, one of the country’s most respected theater makers known for his nuanced direction in works that champion realism and intimacy.

Production and set design are by the multi-awarded tandem Benjamin Padero and Carlo Tabije, whose film credits include Heneral Luna, Serbis, and Midnight in a Perfect World. Together known as Ben&Carlo, they have received honors from the Gawad Urian (Serbis, 2009) and Film Academy of the Philippines (Heneral Luna, 2016), and continue to bring their acclaimed visual storytelling to both stage and screen.

D Cortezano, a veteran technical and lighting designer, shapes the play’s tension through light and movement, while Teresa Barrozo, an acclaimed composer and sound designer celebrated for her cinematic and experimental works (Apocalypse Child, K’na the Dreamweaver, Karnal), heightens the production’s sensory and emotional impact.

Faces that carry fire and heart
The cast features a dynamic mix of celebrated and rising talents. Vincent A. DeJesus, the Palanca-winning playwright, alternates as Kiwi alongside Thou Reyes, a theater and television veteran known for his versatility in both comedy and drama.

 
Vincent DeJesus and Thou Reyes share the role of "Kiwi"

Juicy is brought to life by Jason Barcial and Io Balanon — both noted for their engaging turns in independent theater and queer performance spaces. Meanwhile, Onyx is portrayed by Kokoy De Santos, acclaimed for his breakout role in Gameboys and recent film and streaming projects, and Dyas Adarlo, an emerging actor whose raw energy and range have made him one of the exciting new voices in Philippine theater.

 
Jason Barcial alongside IO Balanon as "Juicy"

Kokoy De Santos alternates wiht Dyas Adarlo as "Onyx"

Together, the ensemble delivers a charged and emotional performance that reflects the power and pulse of contemporary queer storytelling.

“ATENG” is more than a story of identity — it’s a reclamation of voice and visibility, blending laughter, rage, and tenderness in a night of unforgettable theater.

The bold and unflinching piece by Vincent DeJesus will be staged at Rampa Drag Club every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 14 to December 7, 2025.

Tickets are now available via Ticket2Me.