In a daring and deeply personal theatrical debut, Walong Libong Piso emerges not just as a provocative new stage play but as a defining artistic statement from its creator, the unapologetically bold and fiercely passionate Director Dante Balboa.

Helming the very first stage production from BenTria Productions, Balboa serves as both writer and director of Walong Libong Piso—a one-character psychological play that strips away the superficial to explore the complexities of human desire, sexuality, and the cost of fame. Starring Paolo Gumabao, Jhon Mark Marcia, Drei Arias, and Juan Paolo Calma, the play will premiere at CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater) from August 22 to 24, 2025.

But beyond the casting and concept lies the soul of the project: Balboa himself.

“Actually, I wrote Walong Libong Piso back in 2007 during my BA Film and Audio Visual Communication at UP,” he reveals. “The story is half fiction, half truth. During my days as a sexy actor at SEIKO, I received calls from strangers. One caller turned out to be a reporter. That’s where the story began.”

What started as a real-life encounter evolved into a psychologically intense narrative. Balboa deliberately keeps the second character invisible, heightening the sense of tension and introspection. The result is a raw, intimate experience blending dark humor, eroticism, and emotional complexity.

“It’s a psychological play that also touches on sexual disorders like hypersexual disorder. It’s not just a sexy drama—it’s a commentary on identity, morality, and survival,” he explains.

Balboa, a professor of art, humanities, and philosophy, brings a layered academic perspective to his artmaking. But this isn’t just a job—it’s a calling.

“I know my capabilities. I’m not doing this for fun. I’m an artist through and through. Acting, writing, directing—these aren’t hobbies. They’re part of my system, innate to me,” he says with conviction. “Of course, I dream of becoming a National Artist someday. I’m working hard not to be dismissed by critics or audiences. I want to be known as a skilled and respected artist.”

With Walong Libong Piso, Balboa joins a long tradition of Filipino auteurs who use the stage not just to entertain but to provoke and engage. He openly cites cinematic legends like Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal as creative North Stars—visionaries who carved space for bold voices in Philippine arts and culture.

Thanks to Engr. Benjamin Austria, executive producer of BenTria Productions, Balboa finally has the platform to bring this long-conceived project to life.

“I’m very grateful to Engr. Benjie Austria for the trust he placed in me. I don’t want to disappoint him,” Balboa says, underscoring the deep trust and collaboration behind the production.