Reaction Paper Collection The play that I watched was the Collection, written by Floy Quintos.

He is a well renowned playwright, and an accomplished director. His previous works include Palanca award winners Fluid, Ang Kalungkutan ng mga Reyna, Shock Value and Fake. I watched Collection on February 20, 2013 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater at Palma Hall in UP, it was directed by Dexter Santos and staged by Dulaang UP. Dexter is also known for his incredible direction of the play Orosman at Zafira, which was also shown at UP. This is his first time to direct a play written by Floy Quintos. The whole play was very remarkable, from the beginning to the end. The first scene really caught my attention, as it made me wanting for more. Although, the last scene of the play left a very lasting impression, one that makes persons ponder, think deeper. I could not imagine any other way of communicating the message of the play to the audience the way how the director did in Collection. The acting of the main cast was very commendable, as they have portrayed their roles very effectively. Also, I have my reservations regarding the purpose of one of the lead characters, Gus, in introducing himself as a member of the audience. The story revolves around the famous, elite and richest people who always want to own something, something that is of value. All of them are driven with common reasons in buying expensive items; so that they could show-off their wealth to other people that they can afford it, to let the whole country know that they are rich, very rich. In an auction, initiated by the National Commission on the Disposal of Philippine Patrimony, a fictional government body was selling a part of the Banaue Rice Terraces to the highest bidder and part of the proceeds thereof will be
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given to the poor people. Of course, the richest was able to bid the highest, Don Manolo, which bided P100 million pesos for the Banaue Rice Terraces. The play showed how these rich and famous people interact with one another. It was set at a private VIP room, where only the elite are allowed inside, but with one exception, Gus, who introduced himself as a member of the audience, and a concerned citizen. He was allowed by Carlos Vibar, the auctioneer, to join them in the room because Carlos was intrigued and taught that Gus have some interesting things to say. In there, Gus learned that those people always want to know what the next big thing is and own it. Even if it be a major part of our patrimony or history, they just want to own it, to show-off. They are motivated by greed, greed for fame and power. The first scene in the play was set like an auction house. The auctioneer, Carlos, was in front dictating the flow of the bidding. A lot of famous and rich people, including some foreigners, were among the bidders. There was wide media coverage, as a lot of reporters flock the place, covering the momentous event. The winner of the bidding, won in grand fashion, he came in when the bidding was almost done, and bided the highest of them all that not even the foreigners could match. Before watching the Collection, my idea of the play was that it was a story maybe based on someone who is collector of something, or is fond of collecting something. When I saw the first, right then and there, I realized the theme of the play; it was something deeper than what I initially thought. When I heard that the Banaue Rice Terraces is up for grabs, I thought what would happen to our country if that would really happen in real life. Im very sure that the other audience as well thought of that, because it is very frightening. That made the play very

appealing to me, and I became excited as the play moves on, anticipating what would happen next, because the story is interesting. The play ended with another auction, bidding for a historical religious artifact, the 16th century ivory image of the Virgin of the Lost Souls, and was believed to be guarded by La Hermana Augusta Beata. Carlos made the bidders believe that the image was the next big thing that was why it was the subject item of what they considered will be the greatest bidding of all time, which would generate a lot of money. What a way to end the play, leaving a lasting mark to the audience. The play showed what would happen if people would be conquered by greed, violence and chaos would result, and in the end, no one wins, everyone loses. The last part of the play serves as the wake up call to all people, especially to us Filipinos. It tells us to think of our actions first before doing it, for in the end we would definitely suffer the consequences of our carelessness. If we would always be motivated by greed, nothing will happen to us. Every scene in the play was full of messages; it never fails to catch my attention. That is why I was glued to every scene, to the every character. Like for example the party scene after auction, where teenagers are present, and it seemed to depict that now, all that most teenagers want to do is to party. Another example, is the scene in where in Helena, a government official publicizes her act of giving money to the poor in order to gain sympathy because of her political aspirations, for power. Every character in the play portrayed their roles very effectively, as they were able to let the audience have an idea of the lifestyles of certain people, like for example, the rich industrialist, an international jeweler, a doctor in search for the fountain of youth, and a creative guru/ fashion expert.

Although, I just cant try to connect what the director want to say in introducing Gus character as a member of us, the audience. Is it something to make the audience feel more involved? I believe that it would not be necessary for it to be that way, because even if Gus was introduced as a ordinary college student or citizen, the audience would still be able to relate with the story and the characters. I dont think it is a major problem, but I just feel a bit different about that thought. Nevertheless, they made the play very interactive for the audience, like when they gave fliers for stopping the auctioning of the Virgin. The members of the cast distributed the fliers to the audience, as to encourage as to be one with them in stopping the auction. Indeed what would happen to our country and to the word if greed would reign, if all people have the hunger for money and power? As the play revealed, certainly violence and chaos would ensue. Some people think that money symbolizes power or authority, that it should be a must have. In reality, money means nothing more than a thing, money cant buy everything. Though in the play, it seems that it is possible for money to buy just about everything, even historical places, such as the Banaue Rice Terraces, but the truth is, still money cant buy happiness, or love. There is more to life than money, than power, than fame.