Bohol hosts theater fest ’25,

Celebrates culture in growth

CORTES, Bohol, March 29 (PIA)—Theater taking to public spaces in the next days, this as Bohol hosts the theatre festival 2025 with guest performers from national and international stage joining theatre groups, artists, educators, students and cultural practitioners bring to the stage cultural performances, workshops, discussions and other engagements aimed at deepening appreciation for performing arts.

Billed as Hinabo ug Hitabo, the weeklong festival from March 27 to April 3, caps with the three-day celebration Bohol’s rich theatrical heritage

Organized by the Theater Arts Committee of the Bohol Arts and Cultural Heritage (BACH) Council, in partnership with Kasing Sining, Inc., and with support from the Provincial Government of Bohol through the Center for Culture and Arts Development and Goethe Institute Philippines, the festival provides a space for Boholano theater groups, schools, and community-based artists to share their work.

Coinciding with World Theater Day on March 27, 2025, the festival which also feature guest performers from national and international stages, while encouraging cultural exchange and collaboration, will showcase free public performances in plazas, malls, and cafés, making theater more accessible to the community.

Festival director Engr. Jerrey David Aguilar highlights the festival’s goal: “Beyond the performances, this festival is about bringing communities together, strengthening cultural identity, and supporting the growth of theater in Bohol.”

For this, the festival feature citywide Theater Activations with original Boholano performances that show locally produced plays that reflect Bohol’s culture and contemporary experiences; theater talks: Conversations with seasoned practitioners about Boholano theater’s evolution, performance techniques, and its role in community development; Workshops on Theater Making: Hands-on sessions on directing, producing, movement, and technical aspects of theater production.

There will also be guest performances: Special presentations by visiting national and international theater artists; Panel Discussions: Exploring topics such as community theater, climate narratives, and the role of performing arts in social change and festival publication: A documentation of performances, discussions, and insights gathered during the event.

As the festival already started March 27 with Pagsugod in time with the World Theater Day Celebration, it had performance rituals and public pop-up performances at Dao Bus Terminal, Dao Public Market, and Island City Mall, bringing theater to everyday spaces.

Since then, staged Readings and Music Theater Jam happen every night at Yokoy’s Café and Hideout Food Park, which provide intimate storytelling experiences through staged readings and musical performances.

By March 31, 2025, the theater talks and spotlight sessions happen at the National Museum Bohol, discussions will feature insights from cultural leaders and artists, including Dr. Lutgardo Luza Labad, on the significance of placemaking in theater.

By April 1-3, the main Festival Events happen at the Bohol Cultural Center and Plaza, featuring performances, workshops, panel discussions, and special showcases.

April 1 discussions include Keynote addresses, artist performances from Bohol’s top universities and theater groups, and workshops on performance devising and production management.

April 2 discussions center on historical Boholano theater traditions, workshops on climate-themed performance-making, and experimental theater showcases.

April 3 would have community development panels, reflections on the future of Boholano theater, and a closing program celebrating festival highlights.

With its diverse lineup, Bohol Theater Festival 2025 aims to strengthen the local theater scene and encourage greater participation in the arts. The festival welcomes artists, educators, students, and theater enthusiasts to immerse themselves in this creative experience, Aguilar said.

As Bohol takes the stage, the festival serves as an invitation to engage with theater in a meaningful way—whether as a performer, a participant, or an audience member.

For updates and event details, follow the Kasing Sining page on social media. (PIABohol)

THEATER THAT SPILLS. Bohol Theater Fest 2025 opens up venues for the expression of theater in the community, as it gathers students, artists, performers, academicians and international figures to lend Boholanos deeper appreciation of performing arts. (PIABohol/KasingSining)