Pioneer Insurance Brings Virgin Labfest 11 Campus Tour to De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde

People love telling and hearing stories. Whether they are true-to-life experiences or tales from the imagination, interesting stories will always find an enthusiastic audience. That's exactly what happened at the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde early this week when Pioneer Insurance's Virgin Labfest 11 Campus Tour was held there.

Dalawang Gabi tells the story of falling in love and the heartaches that go with it.
Meann Espinosa and Alex Yasuda had us laughing out loud with
witty dialogues and funny comebacks

Students, teachers, and guests raptly watched Dalawang Gabi and Hintayan ng Langit. Both stories have engaging plots and excellent actors. We laughed at the witty lines but also felt emotional during the sad parts. 

Hintayan ng Langit is the story of two old people who found themselves
in purgatory where they have to find closure first before journeying to heaven.
Real life couple Nonoy and Edna Froilan played their parts really well.
The unexpected ending and their impeccable timing earned them a big round of applause. 

As an avid theater fan, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the stories come to life. The playwrights, directors, and the rest of the crew likewise did an amazing job putting everything together. The many questions thrown during the Q and A session evidently showed how interested the students were about the creative processes of playwriting as well as acting. I am sure the answers they heard inspired those who have the passion to also pursue their dreams. 

Realize your dream of becoming a playwright … now!

If you have a story brewing in your head that's simply waiting to be told, now's your chance to bring it to life! Pioneer Insurance is calling all college students nationwide to share their stories through the Stories of Hope Playwriting Competition. Every young and aspiring playwright can submit his/her original work as a one-act play written in English, Tagalog or Taglish.

Lorenzo Chan Jr. of Pioneer Insurance

Whether you're writing a drama, comedy, or even a musical, make sure the story will convey hope to the audience.  Lorenzo Chan, Jr., Pioneer Life President and CEO, reminds, "This competition aims not just to tell stories, but to uplift others as well." 

with Alex and Meann

Participants must be 15-24 years old and officially enrolled as college students in the Philippines. Entries should be submitted on or before November 27, 2015. The winner will be announced on December 14, 2015 and will receive a P25,000 cash prize plus insurance coverage from Pioneer. Interested students may visit the official website for other relevant information regarding the competition and submission of entries: www.storieslab.ph.

with Ballet Philippines legends - Nonoy and Edna Froilan

"We at Pioneer have always been inclined towards education and the arts, so it is only appropriate that we open this event to students," said Len Pozon, Pioneer VP for Marketing. "I’m sure that they have so much to tell and that everyone can learn something from them, too."

bloggers and the Fleishman Hillard team with
the cast and crew of Dalawang Gabi and Hintayan ng Langit

Pioneer, along with Tanghalang Pilipino, Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Writer’s Bloc, Inc. selected plays from the festival, which toured different campuses to bring the experience to various student bodies.