When he is not busy with TV or theater work, writer-director Floy Quintos can be found in Ermita, where he runs Gallery Deus, a shop specializing in antique religious icons and tribal art pieces.

Gallery Deus has been there for five years, a quiet little shop that can easily be missed by those who have no interest in buying or selling antiques.

But those who appreciate such objects (especially Scandinavian poets recently shortlisted in the Nobel, such as a guest we bumped into) will find Floy’s old carvings, costumes, accessories, weapons, and chests from the tribes of Northern Cordillera and Southern Mindanao interesting. Santos (saints) from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries are also sold or bought there.

(Spare yourself the trouble and never stop by to sell a brass sarimanok. Floy is kind enough to refer the lost to other antique dealers down the street.)

The religious icons are brought to the shop by families that used to own them and do not come from churches (in which case they were probably stolen). Floy says it’s difficult to find tribal carvings that are of good condition, and those available today are mere “latak” [dregs].

Gallery Deus is fittingly located at the ground floor of the art-deco-style Marilo Building, which is one of the oldest structures in Ermita.

Visit the shop’s Website.

Gallery Deus
1219 A. Mabini Street
Marilo Building
Ermita, Manila 1000
Phone: +63 2 521 7518
Mobile: +63 917 8434 996

Floy Quintos is featured in this Saturday’s Theater Talk, organized by PinoyCentric, Manila Gay Guy, and Gibbs Cadiz.