Dulaang UP to stage Floy Quintos comedy 'Collection'

What happens to a society that is overrun by greed and materialism? By shifting moral values and by acquisitive desires? Floy Quintos' new dark comedy, “Collection,” paints a disturbing picture of a society obsessed with conspicuous consumption, surface glamour and the endless, unquenchable pursuit of the next big thing. In this artistic vision of a materialist hell, a fictional government agency, the National Commission on the Disposal of Philippine Patrimony, has sanctioned the sale of historical and national treasures. The proceeds of which go to a national lottery designed to alleviate poverty through dole outs. The auctioneer, the dashing and handsome Carlo Vibal, has successfully auctioned off many of these treasures. At the controversial but wildly successful sale of the Banaue Rice Terraces, the other characters of the play are introduced. Helena, the government official who believes in giving dole outs to alleviate poverty; Tatiana, an international jeweler who sees her acquisitiveness as a way of giving back to society; Alphonse, a creative guru who sees history as nothing more than a reference for fashion and movies; Manolo, a business magnate wanting to build a systematic and effective society; Dr. Stephen Yan, a health and beauty magnate searching for scientific evidence of the soul's existence; Last of all, there is Gus, a young man who questions their motives and the legitimacy of their goals and desires. The discovery of a 16th century ivory image of the Virgin of the Lost Souls stirs the acquisitive desires of the collectors. Each of them wants the Virgin for his own, each of them have their justifications for wanting it, all of them are willing to bid excessively to possess it. But the image is connected to the story of a mystic, La Hermana Augusta Beata. The Hermana's own story juxtaposes her faith and simplicity, against the excessive desires of the contemporary characters. In the end, the auction pits not only the wealthy bidders against each other, but against the mass of Filipinos all wanting their share in the sale. But will it push through? Will one buyer own the image? Or will the sands of shifting morality cause the ground on which this fragmented society stands to crumble? Directed with an imaginative and imagistic flair by Dexter Santos, whose staging of Orosman at Zafira has been hailed as groundbreaking, Collection promises to be both a visual feast as well as pointed social commentary. The powerhouse cast is composed of Alya Honasan, Adele Victorino, Alexander Cortez, Leo Rialp, Jeremy Domingo, Roeder Camanag, Jean Judith Javier, Red Concepcion, Via Antonio and the Dulaang UP ensemble. Director and Choreographer: Dexter M. Santos Playwright: Floy Quintos Set design: Ohm David Lighting design: John Batalla Costume design: Raven Ong Video design: Winter David Photography: Jojit Lorenzo/Dino Dimar Poster design: Pow Santillan Layout and Graphic design: Aaron Misayah Playdates: First Week February 13, 2013 (Wednesday), 7:00 PM February 14, 2013 (Thursday), 7:00 PM February 15, 2013 (Friday), 7:00 PM February 16, 2013 (Saturday), 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM February 17, 2013 (Sunday), 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM Second Week February 20, 2013 (Wednesday), 7:00 PM February 21, 2013 (Thursday), 7:00 PM February 22, 2013 (Friday), 7:00 PM February 23, 2013 (Saturday), 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM February 24, 2013 (Sunday), 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM Third Week February 27, 2013 (Wednesday), 7:00 PM February 28, 2013 (Thursday), 7:00 PM March 1, 2013 (Friday), 7:00 PM March 2, 2013 (Saturday), 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM March 3, 2013 (Sunday), 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM Venue: Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall, UP Diliman Venue Capacity: 290 Regular Ticket Price: P350.00 For inquiries about special booking (i.e. show buying, block buying, discounts), sponsorship and ticket reservations, please contact: Samanta Clarin / Camille Guevara Marketing Managers 0927-740-6124/0917-903-0727 dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com Dulaang UP Office: 926-1349