From script to stage: Here’s how to join Puregold Teatro Panalo

 

For playwrights dreaming of seeing their masterworks on stage, Puregold Teatro Panalo may be their portal to the world of theatre.

 

Puregold Teatro Panalo is now searching for original one-act plays and musicals from which selected entries will be professionally staged for its inaugural festival in 2027. Apart from featuring new work, the festival could propel these select few into full-length productions.

 

Raring to submit a script? Here are six things you need to know.

 

1. ANY GENRE, STYLE OR THEME IS WELCOME

 

Puregold Teatro Panalo is open to amateur and professional playwrights aged 18 and above.

 

Potential applicants have plenty of room to experiment. Entries may explore any genre, style or theme—from comedy and drama to experimental work and musical theater. Scripts may also be written in English or any Filipino language, although entries in regional languages must come with an English translation.

 

The goal is simple: cast the widest possible net for stories that reflect the diversity of Filipinoexperiences and voices.

 

2. ONLY 12 WORKS WILL MAKE IT TO THE STAGE

 

Competition will be tight.

 

From all submissions, the festival’s Selection Committee will choose just 12 works for the official lineup: eight straight plays and four musicals.

 

All 12 will receive full production support and will be staged during the Puregold Teatro Panalo festival, which is set to run sometime between February and March 2027. The official venue will be announced separately.

 

For the select playwrights, this means their scripts will actually be brought to life before an audience.

 

3. AI-GENERATED WRITING IS OUT

 

Puregold Teatro Panalo is drawing the line at Artificial Intelligence: the creative work must come from the playwright.

 

The use of AI-generated plot, characters, structure, scenes, dialogue, lyrics, and other major creative elements is prohibited.

 

AI may be utilized for non-creative assistance such as general research, fact-checking, organization, formatting and proofreading. But human authorship is strictly required for the script.

 

4. EACH SELECTED PLAYWRIGHT GETS ₱100,000

 

Funding goes with bragging rights.

 

Each of the 12 chosen playwrights will receive a ₱100,000 fee for their work. Production costs for the festival run, including the professional fees of the cast and crew, will be shouldered by the festival. They may recommend a director for their production, but festival organizers will have the final say.

 

5. PLAYWRIGHTS RETAIN OWNERSHIP OF THEIR WORKS

 

Playwrights will retain ownership of their submitted works while granting Wishbone Collective the right to stage and produce them under the festival’s terms.

 

The relationship could also extend well beyond the festival. Wishbone Collective reserves the right to further develop and stage selected works as full-length theatrical productions for up to five years after the festival run.

 

This opens an intriguing possibility: a one-act play debuting at Teatro Panalo could eventually return as a bigger, fully developed production.

 

6. THE DEADLINE IS 11:59 PM 0N SEPTEMBER 11

 

Applications are being accepted online, with each playwright allowed to submit up to two entries. However, only one work from each applicant may ultimately be selected.

 

Playwrights can submit their applications here: https://forms.gle/FxqLrDzivaqNwDx56. The complete festival mechanics are also available in the application form.

 

For Filipino playwrights sitting on an unfinished draft—or perhaps an idea they’ve been waiting for an excuse to finally write—Puregold Teatro Panalo offers not just a competition but an actual path from page to stage.

 

And for 12 playwrights, that one-act script may just be the beginning.

 

Julie Anne San Jose unveils new single “Saglit Lang,” gears up for a busy second half of 2026

Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose is set to add another musical milestone to her already impressive career with the release of her latest single, “Saglit Lang.” Known for her versatility as a vocalist and performer, Julie Anne continues to explore different sides of her artistry through music. The new release gives fans another opportunity to connect with her voice and musical style as she enters another exciting chapter in her career.

Beyond the release of “Saglit Lang,” Julie Anne is also preparing for a packed schedule as she looks ahead to the final months of 2026. With music, performances, and other projects lined up, the multi-talented artist is determined to make the most of the remaining months of the year. Her continued involvement in both music and entertainment further highlights her ability to balance multiple creative pursuits while staying connected with her growing audience.

As 2026 moves into its final stretch, fans can expect more from Julie Anne San Jose as she continues to work on new projects and appearances. With “Saglit Lang” serving as another musical offering from the accomplished performer, Julie Anne is poised to close the year on a high note—bringing fresh music, exciting performances, and more memorable moments to her supporters.

Puregold Hakot Relay makes history as it debuts first-ever 8KM Individual Challenge in Southern Luzon

Puregold’s wildly popular Hakot Relay, now a three-leg nationwide series, brings its much-awaited Southern Luzon leg to Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus City, Cavite, this time with its first-ever 8KM Individual Challenge.

The Hakot Relay drew thousands of participants on its inaugural run with its uniquely Filipino twist: instead of focusing solely on speed, teams took on Puregold’s trademark hakot portion before crossing the finish line with medals and hefty grocery hauls. The concept was an instant hit among families, friends, and running communities, paving the way for its continued success.

Set on September 19, this year’s Southern Luzon edition marks its most ambitious expansion yet, offering even more excitement to look forward to.

The new 8KM Individual Challenge is designed for qualified participants seeking a tougher test of endurance. While the Hakot Relay celebrates teamwork through shared strategy, the new format focuses on individual athletic performance while preserving the relay’s rewarding finish. With both categories taking place on the same day, the Cavite race offers twice the fun and double the challenge to participating runners.

For Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, the newly introduced 8KM Individual Challenge is meant to keep pace with and enhance the Hakot Relay experience as it grows with its community.

"The response to Hakot Relay has encouraged us to keep innovating with every edition,” she said. “This is our first Southern Luzon leg, and we want to introduce an exciting challenge while staying true to the experience that runners have come to know and enjoy.

“We hope the new 8KM Individual Challenge gives more people an opportunity to test themselves while still being part of the panalo energy that makes Hakot Relay special.”

Every registered runner will bring home a customized race kit featuring an event singlet, race bib, and finisher’s medal. Hakot Relay participants will also receive a Grocery Sling Bag and a Finisher’s Grocery Bag, while finishers of the new 8KM Individual Challenge will receive a Finisher’s Grocery Cart and other exclusive prizes.

With the addition of the 8KM Individual Challenge, the Southern Luzon leg marks the biggest evolution of the Hakot Relay since its debut. By adding another way to participate in the traditional relay, it broadens the event experience without losing the teamwork and community spirit that have defined it since the beginning.

Whether runners choose to conquer the course with teammates or take on the new solo category, race day promises generous take-home rewards and the signature Puregold Hakot Relay experience.



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Heussaffs Show How Healthy and Money-Smart Habits Start Early at Home

For Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff, the habits that shape a good life are not learned all at once but built in the small everyday moments at home. In partnership with Manulife Philippines, the couple is sharing how they are guiding their daughter, Dahlia, through two lessons meant to stay with her for years: from eating well to managing money wisely.

Healthy choices, one baon at a time

Inside Dahlia's lunchbox is a small lesson in balance. There is something fresh, something filling, and a little something fun: fruit or vegetables for vitamins, rice or bread for energy, protein to help her grow, and a treat to make her smile.

For Erwan, that perspective matters most when it is introduced early. "With Manulife as our family's health and wellness partner, we know how important balance is. Listen to your body and treat it well. It’s time to move today, because it’s never too early to start taking care of your health for the long run,” said Erwan in the video posted on his and Manulife Philippines’ social media pages.

Money lessons made simple

Anne and Erwan also believe that a good life isn’t just defined by eating healthy. Anne’s latest video shows that at the age of six, Dahlia is being raised to be a "Peso Smart" kid, and the lessons are as ordinary as the coins she sorts into three small piles—one to save, one to spend, and one to give. In their household, prices are talked about openly, never hidden. A toy she wants becomes a lesson in patience: she can wait and save for it, or earn it through chores beyond her usual ones. Bit by bit, everyday moments at home become a child's first steps in learning to make responsible financial decisions.

"You don't need to wait for kids to learn about money in school. You can teach them young, and in your home," Anne says. "I've been preparing for Dahlia's future since before she was born, because the earlier you start, the more ready you are for life’s twists and turns. People are living longer now, and that is a gift—but it also means planning further ahead. Teaching her to save today is really about giving her the freedom to enjoy a long life on her own terms."

Small steps that last a lifetime

Behind Anne and Erwan’s lessons with Dahlia is a belief that well-being, whether in health or in finances, is rarely the result of one big decision. It grows from steady choices repeated over time. A balanced meal today powers a healthier adult tomorrow. A few coins set aside now evolve into a habit of financial preparedness in the long term.

This is the idea at the heart of ManulifeMOVE, Manulife's holistic health and wellness program designed to help customers take charge of their well-being and enjoy a better, longer life. Through the Manulife App, it brings together practical health insights, exclusive perks from trusted partners across preventive care, treatment, and recovery—all backed by comprehensive health plans that protect families from early diagnosis to recovery. It reflects how Manulife sees its role: as a lifelong partner supporting Filipinos through every life stage.

"At Manulife, we believe better health and financial confidence are built through the everyday choices families make. Anne and Erwan show how healthy habits and smart money decisions can start at home, in simple moments that children can carry with them as they grow,” said Joy Concepcion, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Concepcion added, “We want to empower Filipino families to take those first meaningful steps early, giving them the confidence to prepare for the future and develop habits that lead to better health and financial resilience. Anchored by the Manulife Longevity Institute, we are deepening our understanding of longevity and translating these insights into solutions that equip Filipinos to live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives.”

To learn more about ManulifeMOVE and Manulife's suite of health and life protection plans, visit manulife.com/ph or speak with a Manulife financial advisor.

Puregold launches Teatro Panalo, opens search for outstanding Filipino plays

 

The curtain is about to rise on another “panalo” cultural experience from Puregold—this time, one that brings the world of Filipino theater closer to both the artists who create it and the audiences who deserve to experience it.

 

Further expanding its commitment to champion Filipino creativity and showcase these talents to more audiences, Puregold proudly announces Teatro Panalo, an inaugural theater festival that aims to discover, develop, and stage compelling new one-act plays and musicals by Filipino playwrights.

 

Produced and organized by Wishbone Collective, Inc. and presented by Puregold, the incubation theater festival is a platform where original works can evolve from script to stage with professional dramaturgical support, production resources, and valuable audience engagement.

 

Twelve (12) original works—eight (8) straight plays and four (4) musicals—will be selected to receive full production as part of the festival, with each playwright receiving Php 100,000 in financial compensation.

 

Following the festival, one straight play and one musical will also be awarded full-length development grants, an opportunity for further artistic growth and eventual commercial production.

 

For Puregold, Teatro Panalo reflects the company’s continuing belief that meaningful experiences should be as accessible as possible, because this is the true “panalo” experience.

 

“Puregold has always been present in the everyday lives of Filipino communities,” said Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Senior Marketing Manager of Puregold. “Through Teatro Panalo, we hope to be present in another meaningful way by creating spaces where people can come together, exchange new ideas, and see Filipino artistry come to life on stage.”

 

Hayagan-Piedad said the initiative is rooted in Puregold’s understanding of service as something that extends beyond the transactional.

 

“Being of service to a community is not limited to what happens inside our stores. It also means listening to what matters to people and supporting experiences that help communities feel seen, connected, and represented,” she said. “Theater has the power to create that kind of shared experience.”

 

Festival Director Vincent de Jesus emphasized that Teatro Panalo is equally about nurturing artists as it is about discovering outstanding material.

 

“We’re looking for authentic voices, fresh perspectives, and stories that deserve to be seen on the stage,” he said. “The festival is designed to help playwrights realize the full potential of their work through collaboration with experienced theaterpractitioners, while also giving audiences the opportunity to encounter exciting new Filipino stories.”

 

Submissions are now officially open to amateur and professional Filipino playwrights aged 18 and above at the time of application. Entries may be written in Filipino or English and must be original one-act works, either straight plays or musicals. Adaptations, translations, and AI-generated creative works are not eligible. The festival welcomes submissions across genres, styles, and theatrical forms, provided they are original works intended for approximately 35 to 40 minutes of stage performance.

 

Interested applicants must submit their entries no later than 11:59 p.m. on September 11, 2026. Applications should include a completed one-act script, synopsis, logline, playwright’s development vision, supporting documents, and, for musical entries, demo recordings.

 

A shortlist of sixteen (16) plays and eight (8) musicals will be announced on October 6. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their works to the Selection Committee on October 14 to 16, and a final lineup of eight (8) straight plays and four (4) musicals will be announced on October 16.

 

Selected playwrights will participate in Wishbone’s professional incubation program, which includes dramaturgical guidance, production support, and the opportunity to have their work staged before live audiences during the inaugural festival, currently scheduled for February to March 2027.

 

De Jesus added, “Original stories have always shaped communities, reflected generations, and inspired change. With Puregold Teatro Panalo, the next great Filipino play may be waiting behind an unopened script. Puregold is inviting playwrights from across the country to bring those stories to the stage.”

 

Complete festival mechanics, eligibility requirements, and application details are available through the official Puregold Teatro Panalo submission form: https://bit.ly/PGTeatroPanalo.