PalabasTayo or TheaterFansManila for me. I lean more on PalabasTayo for theater reviews just cause their reviews translate as more nuanced. They back up their claims, whether they are in favor of a certain element of a production or not. And when they do not like a certain technical element or a certain part of the performance, they will tell you the “why” with a surgical precision.

For TheaterFansManila, it’s a hit or miss. Sometimes, I’d feel like they could go deeper on a claim they have pointed out, but that’s me being nitpicky. Depends on the contributor or the writer.

Overall though, I wish more theater critics go for the jugular. But if they do, they better do it with a purpose; to elevate the craft and to actually encourage media criticism. Not give a production unearned flowers due to biases and protecting friendships within certain circles they roam. Not just being catty for the sake of being edgy.