Meet another cast member in TP's Noli Me Tangere.

Jonathan "Tad" Tadioan, a member of Tanghalang Pilipino's Actors Company, plays Don Tiburcio de Espadana (alternating with Garry Lim) and also Kapitan Tiago in certain performances (as he is Red Nuestro's understudy for the role) in Noli Me Tangere, The Musical.

How long have you been part of the TP Actors Company? And what's your position there?

I've been in the company for almost 6 years. Since 2005. Currently a member of Tanghalang Pilipino's Actors Company.

As part of the Actors Company, what do you do (during the season, whenever there's a production, and such)?

Every year, we undergo training in ballet, voice (singing), voice for stage, improvisation, script analysis, scene study and others. When there's a production and someone from Actors Company is part of it, we usually attend rehearsals. We are also assigned to understudy specific roles in any production. We also do backstage assignments, which I think is good exercise for actors to learn other forms of artistry, such as stage management, production management, etc.

What's your favorite thing to do as part of the Actors Company?

To act and act and act. Kasi nga you portray different roles which is sometimes totally or extremely not you. You learn other things from your directors and sometimes from your co-actors. It also challenges you to test your limits.

In the few years that you've been with the company, what's your most memorable experience so far?

Sobrang dami. First, I've worked with those people na ina-idolize ko. I've worked with the premiere and top calibre stage directors like Loy Arcenas, Jose Estrella, Dennis Marasigan, Herbie Go, Audie Gemora, Roobak Valle, Chris Millado, Jaime del Mundo, Tuxqs Rutaquio, Floy Quintos and more. Doing roles na extremely opposite sa akin. Nakakapunta

 ako sa mga lugar na hindi ko pa napupuntahan. Nabibigyan ko ng justice yung mga nagagawa kong play. And most especially, sharing my talent that God Almighty gave me.

What's your most challenging experience?

- Nang unang beses na mag gay role ako sa R'meo Luvs Dew-Lhiett, directed by Herbie Go.

- Nang gawin ko ang Alimuom ni Reuel Molina Aguila, directed by Chris Millado.

- Nang gawin ko ulit ang gay role na si Didi na hindi nagmukhang caricature, directed by Chris Millado.

- Nang gawin namin ang Madonna Brava ng Mindanao with Shamaine Centenera Buencamino at multiply characters ang role ko.

- Nang gawin ko ang Doc Resureccion with Riki Benedicto, Angeli Bayani, Peewee O'Hara at Crispin Pineda, directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio.

Most memorable/favorite production so far?

Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Doc Resureccion, Evening at the Opera, R'meo Luvs Dew-Lhiett, Alimuom, Pamantasang Hirang, Flores Para Los Muertos, Noli Me Tangere, Palanca In My Mind.

In TP's Noli Me Tangere, you play two characters, Don Tiburcio de Espadana and Kapitan Tiago. Do you find any similarities between them?

Actually, both, kasi naman magkaiba sila ng needs eh. One is seeking for higher status in the society while the other one naman is protecting the needs of his daughter and what can make him reach the top of the society.

What's your favorite song in the musical?

Panaginip and Dalawang Liham.

And what's your favorite scene?

Lawa and Panaginip.

By the way, you were part of TP's Noli Me Tangere back during its 2005 run. How do you find both productions? Differences and similarities?

Magkaiba sila totally. Kasi Noli of 2005 focused on the love story of Ibarra and Maria Clara. This year's Noli focuses on the revelation of the letters and how this affects the love story of Ibarra and Maria Clara. Atsaka dito, mas buo yung character ni Salvi.

Now, what's the best advice you've ever received?

Do not perform just because you need to perform.

And what's the best advice you could give?

Acting is reacting. Don't perform just because you need to perform. It comes from within. Trust your instincts. Trust yourself.

Noli Me Tangere The Musical is running until August 28, 2011 (Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3pm & 8pm, Sunday at 3:30pm), at the CCP Little Theater. For ticket reservations, c

all 832-3663, 832-1125 local 1620/1621 or 832-3704.

Photo courtesy of Tanghalang Pilipino.