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Manila Society of Theater Reviewers

@mstrawards

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Est. 2025. Composed of regular reviewers of the Manila theater scene. We aim to celebrate the industry and elevate discourse on theater.

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One of our Palabesties, @vincengyu is back for The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly in BONGGA KA DAY: The Annie Batungbakal Musical. He based his feedback on the Gala Night performance. Do you agree with him? What would you add? by @mstrawards

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23 days ago

Here’s @thekneejerkcritic’s instant feedback on the media preview performance of @feutheaterguildofficial’s MORYON. by @mstrawards

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a month ago

Here’s the instant post-preview feedback of @vincengyu, co-founder of @mstrawards for MULI: An OPM Musical. by @mstrawards

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a month ago

Here’s an instant reaction from our resident critic, Ryan Robert Flores for Theatre Group Asia’s production of THE NOTEBOOK: The Musical led by Morisette Amon (@itsmorissette) as middle Allie and Laurence Mossman (@laurencemossman) as middle Noah. Stay tuned to PalabasTayo for the full review. #TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly taken in Samsung Performing Arts Theater by @mstrawards

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a month ago

Our reviewers reveal their top picks for this year's Virgin Labfest!

We also asked them to name two standout performances, as well as their choices for best director and festival newcomer of Virgin Labfest XXI. Here are the results:

Best Director: Ron Capinding, "Elehiya"

Best Performance: Yan Yuzon, "Elehiya"

Honorable Mentions: Elijah Canlas, "Footprint" (VB, RT, CV, VGY); CJ Navato, "Human Rights Story of the Year" (GC, EH); Donna Cariaga, "Patayin ang mga Surot" (VGY); Bea Garcia, "Lualhati" (NF)

Best Newcomer: Gab Mactal, playwright, "Lualhati"

Honorable Mentions: Jerom Canlas, playwright, "Footprint" (CV); Glaiza de Castro, performer, "She's Electric" (VGY); Ron Evangelista, playwright, "She's Electric" (RT); Elijah Felice Rosales, playwright, "Human Rights Story of the Year" (GC)

Visit the link in our bio to read everything our members have written about the festival. Virgin Labfest XXI concludes this Sunday, June 28, at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, Cultural Center of the Philippines. by @mstrawards

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4 months ago

Five months into 2026, here are our members’ top picks for Manila theater so far. by @mstrawards

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5 months ago

New reviews are up!

Find out what our members have to say about "Love's Labours Won," "Emilia," "Saglit Lang," "The Moon and the Bakunawa," and more through the [2026 Reviews] button at mstrawards.com. The page is being updated regularly. by @mstrawards

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5 months ago

Mas masarap manood kapag mas malalim ang pag-unawa sa palabas. Kaya’t samahan niyo kami nila Nikki Francisco at Emil Hofilena ng Manila Society of Theater Reviewers (@mstrawards )ngayong Linggo sa Art 2 Art with Lisa Macuja Elizalde para sa isang masayang talakayan kung paano nga ba manood ng mga palabas sa entablado! Bukas po yan ng 3:30 ng hapon sa DZRH, DZRH News Television, at sa aming YouTube channel. Matatagpuan ang link sa bio.

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It is really more enjoyable to watch when there is a deeper understanding of the show. So join me with Nikki Francisco and Emil Hofilena of the Manila Society of Theater Reviewers this Sunday on Art 2 Art with Lisa Macuja Elizalde for a fun discussion on how best to watch a stage play! That’s tomorrow, 3:30 p.m. on DZRH, DZRHTV, and our YouTube channel. Please find the link in the bio. by @mstrawards

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6 months ago

Madaling sabihin kung nagustuhan o hindi ang isang palabas sa entablado. Ngunit napakahirap ipaliwanag kung bakit ito magaling at kung saan ito nagkulang. Lalong mahirap kung paano ihahayag ang mga puna sa paraang makakatulong sa halip na mamintas ng walang pinanggagalingan.

Isa lamang ito sa mga tungkulin ng isang theater critic. Kung ano ang iba pa, samahan niyo akong alamin mula sa mga kasapi ng Manila Society of Theater Reviewers (@mstrawards ) na sila Nikki Francisco at Emil Hofilena. Sa Art 2 Art with Lisa Macuja Elizalde po yan ngayong Linggo, Abril 19, 3:30 ng hapon sa DZRH, DZRH News Television, at sa aming YouTube channel. Matatagpuan ang link sa bio.

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It is easy to say if one likes a theater performance or not. But explaining why it’s good and what it lacks is hard. Even more difficult is how to give a constructive criticism rather than finding fault without context.

This is just one of the many responsibilities of a theater critic. The rest, join me in finding out from Nikki Francisco and Emil Hofilena, members of the Manila Society of Theater Reviewers. That’s on Art 2 Art with Lisa Macuja Elizalde this Sunday, April 19. 3:30 p.m. on DZRH, DZRHTV, and our YouTube channel. Please find the link in the bio. by @mstrawards

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6 months ago

The reviews for shows from January to March are in!

Head to the "2026 Reviews" button at mstrawards.com for what our members have said about the latest plays and musicals in Metro Manila. The page is being updated regularly. by @mstrawards

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6 months ago

April Sun-Dates on Art 2 Art:
April 5: Food scholar and author Ige Ramos
April 12: Violinist Diomedes Saraza
April 19: Manila Society of Theater Reviewers with co-founder Nikki Francisco and member Emil Hofileña
April 26: Author Yvette Tan by @mstrawards

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6 months ago

🎧 Manila Society of Theater Reviewers! 🖊

Inventive, intelligent criticism - as Vincen would describe the need for a stronger movement towards conversation and commentary of the Manila theater scene as impetus for the founding of the new critics organization.

Following the successful and much anticipated announcement of the Manila Society of Theater Reviewers’ inaugural awards we have with us, MSTR founder Nikki Francisco of TheaterFansManila.com and co-founder and convenor Vincen Gregory Yu, as our season opener guests. Join us as we talk about their experience lending their thoughts on what its like to be a critic and how it helps foster a healthier and robust theater community.

Ladies and gentlefolk, welcome to Stage Left Podcast, season 6!

📌 We're live now on
Spotify 🎧
https://open.spotify.com/episode/47cg8BcJNA3N80HovWstxr?si=046e6db481904cb7

YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/K_WZHVPPZLY?si=TRkitDVZfxiBHxM4

Thanks to our partners:
@cliakestudio
@sunnysidesoundph by @mstrawards

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8 months ago