Quintosian’s COLLECTION: Materialism is the new religion

As the theater season ends, Dulaang UP closes it’s 37^th year with a new, bold and daring play written by a visionary playwright in Philippine theater, Floy Quintos. Collection is this year’s season finale, a groundbreaking and contemporary stageplay appropriate for today’s generation.

Floy Quintos’ Collection – a play covering a wide gamut of themes – a society overrun by greed, acquisitiveness and swinging moral values; man’s unlimited wants, obsession to fame & power, and desire for the next big thing. It reflects panoramas of heightened absurdism that serves as a depiction of who we are, what we have become and what we can be.

This is Dulaang UP’s finest – A Must-See Stage Play of 2013. Floy Quntos’ play weaved the opposite extremes and it’s possible. Indeed, theater makes the impossible possible. When the essence of faith becomes twisted and materialism becomes the new religion, the result is… chaos.

Set in present-day Manila, the play returned to the 16^th century where an image of the Virgin of the Lost Souls was discovered which was intertwined with the mystic story of La Hermana Augusta Beata that has her own storjuxtaposes; faith & simplicity against the acquisitive desires of Helena, government official whose belief is on dole-outs to eliminate poverty. Alphonse, a guru who treated history as basis for fashion and movies. Tatiana, a renowned jeweler whose eagerness to possess things is a way of giving back to the society. Manolo, a business tycoon dreaming for an organized, progressive society. Dr. Stephen Yan, a cosmetic expert in quest for scientific evidence of soul’s existence. Gus, a young idealist man who questions all their motives and the legitimacy of their goals. And finally, Carlo Vibal, the successful auctioneer of the Philippine treasures.

Who got the ivory religious image is the most after-sought question, as the play reaches it climax, the tension gets stronger and the answer is revealed.

I was hooked by the play, from the time the auction began to the victorious dance-party celebration then to Manolo’s elegant sala to 16^th century setting back to the disco then to the houses of each character to the streets and back the auction arena. I must admit the set, costume and lighting designs were remarkably creative and effective. In a split of a seconds, the stage transformation was fast and smooth despite the absence of curtain (which in fact they didn’t use). I was fascinated by the production design.

Foremost, I love the angelic voice of La Hermana played by Teetin Villanueva, captivating and crystal-clear, plus the added attraction of her oblation pose in the play is a pure art and the best scene. Jeremy Domingo (as Carlo Vibal) showed how he mastered his craft in theater arts and was supported by the rest of the cast who were equally better particularly Jean Judith Javier (Helena), Alya Honasan (Tatiana), Alexander Cortez (Alphonse), Leo Rialph (Manolo), Roeder Camanag (Dr. Yan) & Red Concepcion (Gus). An ensemble of great talents and skills that match with what the character expected from them.

Collection is choreographed and directed by Dexter Santos, a man with full of creativity and passion in promoting excellence in performing arts and in social change.

Hats off to the cast and crew of COLLECTION. At the end of the day what lies to the audience is the how Floy Quintos & Dexter Santos awakened our sense of self and as a nation in general to change and be better citizens of this country.

Collection – It’s More Fun In The Philippines.