Another addition to the many events happening in the city this Women’s Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is holding the “Festival of Plays by Women,” a three-day event that features forums on women’s issues in the morning, reading of women’s plays in the afternoon and featured performances in the evening. The event is done in partnership with the Women Playwrights International-Philippines (WPIP) and is being held today from Mar. 6 to 8.

Following the theme “Empowerment, Diversity, and Equality,” the event holds panel discussions on issues such as justice and equality in women and theater, female and warrior playwrights, and exceptional stories of women. Also expect a creator’s market and interviews with renowned playwrights.

With over 20 speakers expected to share and perform at the event, the all-women festival aims to recenter the spotlight on the talents and impact of women in Philippine culture. It also hopes to encourage more women to hone their talents, be it in writing, acting, directing or producing.

Guest speakers will include Leticia Arbelo, International Theatre Arts Educator from Argentina; Dr. Jazmin B. Llana, Dean of College of Liberal Arts from De La Salle University; Dessa Quesada-Palm, member of Silliman University Culture and Arts Council; Jehanne Mutin, a playwright from Marawi City, and many more.

As part of the CCP’s Gender and Development (GAD) Committee’s flagship project for 2020 which aims to promote inclusion, the forums, readings and creative market are free and open to the public, while the tickets for the performances only cost P200.

Last year, CCP’s Women’s Month celebration focused on women in film and television, screening short films and full-length features throughout the event. They also conducted a zine fair organized by Gantala Press and also a readathon of women’s plays.

For more details and schedules, refer here or follow the event’s Facebook page.