The poignantly silent or subdued moments in Dulaang UP’s “Collection” are what hit you like a fist to the stomach, or make that sense of disquiet creep under your skin. Probably because they are few and far between, amidst endless scenes of bragging auctioneers, swaggering fashionistas, the raving show-biz crowd and half-a-dozen big players who just want to outshout everyone else.
What happens to a society that is overrun by greed and materialism? By shifting moral values and by acquisitive desires?
Ano, Ateng, gusto mong umarte?” Normally, a question to be pondered carefully. But then again, it was Floy Quintos asking me to join the cast of his new play, “Collection,” and I am an avowed “Quintoshian” (albeit part-time) actor.
What happens to a society that is overrun by greed and materialism? By shifting moral values and by acquisitive desires? “Collection,” the much-awaited new work from acclaimed playwright Floy Quintos is a dark comedy that paints a disturbing picture of society obsessed with conspicuous consumption, surface glamour and the endless unsatisfying pursuit of the Next Big Thing. “Collection” closes Dulaang UP’s 37th Season.
The landmark original Filipino musical ‘Katy!’ will be revived by Spotlight Artists Centre in January 2013, with Isay Alvarez-Seña playing the lead role of bodabil queen Katy de la Cruz, a part originated by Mitch Valdez. Once again directed by Nestor Torre, “Katy!” has music by Ryan Cayabyab and libretto is by Jose Javier Reyes.
What lies in the minds of young children that gestates as they grow older, is sometimes never forgotten, and one day is realized, whether in the reality of life itself or in a beautiful fantasy translated in an art form?
Contempt. Liberation. Communion. For its 37th season, Dulaang UP features return engagements of successful productions from the previous season, a classic play by a master dramatist and an exciting new offering from a highly-esteemed Filipino playwright.
The Silver Linings Breast Cancer convention in Davao, the Cancer Support Community Cancer Summit in Washington, DC, and the Carewell Fifth Anniversary Celebration in Manila. These three events are reminders and milestones that encourage me to remain committed to my work in supporting all persons affected by cancer.
How many times can one spin variations on the theme of entrapment and escape, the need to flee what has become a destructively unsettled—or its flip side, becalmed—state? At the recent Virgin Labfest 7, which closed a couple of Sundays ago after a two-week run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Huseng Batute, [...]
“Fake” by Floy Quintos (UP Playwrights’ Theater, directed by Tony Mabesa) is a dramatization of the Code of Kalantiao hoax, as exposed by the American historian William Henry Scott. The common thread of the two acts is the effect of the hoax on the sensitive teenage student Miguel (played by Ross Pesigan), who becomes disillusioned [...]
Tanghalang Pilipino celebrates its 25th season by opening in August with José Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere,” in commemoration of the National Hero’s sesquicentennial. To be directed by Audie Gemora with pop singers Mark Bautista and Gian Magdangal alternating as Crisostomo Ibarra and Cris Villonco as Maria Clara, the musical’s libretto is by National Artist for [...]
