Attending Visprint's WIT event.

So how is everyone?

In my last blog post, I had mentioned that even though Noli Me Tangere had already closed, we still had 2 special shows during this month's 2nd weekend. In between the 2 shows, we had the Saturday off, which gave time for me to check out the Visprint WIT event at the SMX Convention Center.

My agenda was just to attend Carlo Vergara's talk on "How Theatre Helped Me Make Good Comics," but because I arrived pretty early (I was worried that I might not get in due to the limited slots available), I ended up sitting inside and listening to the earlier talks.

The first talk was supposed to be Eros Atalia's "Ikwento ang Kwentong Pinoy," but because he was running late, Paolo Fabregas was given the go signal to start his own talk, "Clear Then Clever: How To Create Comics The Advertising Way." I loved his rule. First be clear, then be clever. Because of how he used his graphic novel, "Filipino Heroes League" to discuss conceptualization of comics, I'm now intrigued to buy it, haha.

Eros finally came after Paolo's talk. I then realized that he was the author of "Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me," which also became a Cinemalaya film this year. His talk on writing what you want to write was super witty, but very informative. It was straight to the point, and I liked that. In a way, I was a bit struck by what he said. "Kaya ka agsusulat, dahil gusto mong magpaintindi." When I first starting writing these blogs, it was just for therapy, not for any audience. But when I realized that there are people reading it, it made me want to write more about my thoughts, and wanted people to read it because I needed input, other people's points of view.

Creators of "Trese," Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo came next. They talked about the influences that helped them create their graphic novel, with Budjette giving a backstory about his childhood experiences with the supernatural. Kajo also gave 13 tips for the lazy artist, ending with a 13th saying to not follow all his tips, ahahaha. I liked how he said that there's a difference between "Magaling ako" and "Mas magaling ako sa kanya."

Finally, it was Carlo Vergara's turn. He gave a backstory about his experiences in theater, from high school, to college in DLSU, and with New Voice Company, such as improv exercises (and I was the only one nodding, understanding, ahehehe), saying that theater acting gives you so much possibilities and options. Haha, he even gave references to playing old school tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons. And I can't believe that even I could relate to this, because my brother once forced me to play the tabletop role playing game before when we were kids. Anyway, he talked about his creative process and all that, and then he showed some of his works, of course including "Zsazsa Zaturnnah." And what's funny was that he also showed a few photos of the last staging of the musical, including a photo of Tad as Didi, ahahaha. Anyway, his talk was a good, brief 20 minutes because it was close to lunch time already, so after his talk, I immediately approached him to chat for a little bit and have a photo taken with him. Haha, thanks to Siege for the paparazzi shots while Carlo and I were talking.

Unfortunately, after that, I had to leave SMX because I was meeting up with Tin and Peachy for an afternoon in Powerplant Mall, so I missed Siege's reading, and Bob Ong's slideshow message (but thank goodness it was uploaded on YouTube). But I was glad I caught a few more talks than I had hoped for, as it had inspired me to write more, and this won't be the last event similar to this that I will be attending.

Trying to revive my blogging habits.

I haven't blogged much over the past few months. Man, I'm losing my touch.

So anyway, technically, Noli Me Tangere closed 2 Sundays ago. But to those who didn't get to catch it during its 4-weekend run, we have 2 more special shows. One will be tomorrow, Friday, September 9, at 8pm, and another will be on Sunday, September 11, at 3:30pm. The venue is still at the CCP's Little Theater, and if you really are interested to watch, you can contact Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-3661 or 832-1125 (loc. 1620).

I'm ready to close the book on this play. It's my first actual TP play as an assistant stage manager with them, believe it or not, hahaha. (The previous stints were under Virgin Labfest, and the rest were supertitling stints). Even though D' Emperor has been moved from November to January, I can't wait to start on that one soon. Attending the auditions and callback auditions was fun, and I have to say, it was the most organized (in other words, least chaotic) audition process I've ever experienced.

What else has been happening? Nothing much really. I guess the most significant thing to date is something I'll keep to myself for now, because I'm not sure if what had happened was real or not, as mentioned in this cryptic blog post. I guess I don't know what to make of it. As of this day, sometimes I try to convince myself that it was just a little dream, but then I analyze that I know that I can't really remember any of my dreams, even any trails of the last parts until I wake up, no matter how much I still try to grasp it. So could it be that it really happened?

Oh, I need to stop thinking about it. Starting right now.

I want to go on a trip again. Like when I went to Cebu. I flew over there not knowing what to expect, and not personally knowing anyone who will actually attend (except for Hendri, who came late and just stayed until lunch). By the end of the trip, I had a ton of new friends and a ton of memories to bring back home with me.

Oh well, we'll see.

Word vomit. So I can finally stop dwelling on it.

I keep going back and thinking about what had happened this weekend. Or, what possibly had happened. I still can't tell whether it was just a dream, or if it really happened.

Was I just dreaming? What is just something in my subconscious? Something that I wanted to hear?

Or could it be that you actually said what I thought you said?

Maybe it's just word vomit.

I have no way of proving whether it's true or not. Because knowing you, you could easily deny it if I asked you again.

I also know that you don't even read this. So if you really said it, I'd also say the same thing.

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.

Gian Magdangal as Crisostomo Ibarra in TP's Noli Me Tangere.

Meet Gian Magdangal, who plays Crisostomo Ibarra (alternating with Mark Bautista) in Tanghalang Pilipino's Noli Me Tangere: The Musical.

So I heard that this is your first Filipino musical?

Yes, first Tagalog musical. Ah hindi, hindi naman first na first, pero first with lines. (laughs) Parang ganun na rin diba?

What did you do to prepare for your role as Ibarra?

Ay naku, I had to read the novel in English. Be familiar with the story and... actually talagang musical review, I mean [story] review the whole thing, so that I can get a better understanding. But when it came to music, in preparation for that, I could trust my music rehearsals, and the director.

Do you find any similarities between you and your character?

Oh yeah. Mestizo (laughs). Siguro ano na rin, I’m also a balikbayan. But wala naman akong bad news na natanggap pag-uwi ko, or something like that. Pero yung pagmulat na pag uwi ko na ganito na nga pala yung bansa natin, or yung like every time I go out of the country and come back, in that sense, I’d be able to see what’s happening or what’s not happening to our country. Pag landing mo pa lang ng airport diba, parang ganun yung dating, na nagfa-flashback yung buong thought of Noli Me Tangere, in that sense. Hindi naman ako mayaman. Hindi ako mayaman kagaya nila Don Rafael. Hindi ganun yung daddy ko, so hindi kami nagrerelate sa ganung aspect. But I think with someone who graduated college, parang... hindi naman sa pagmayabang o pagbuhat ng bangko, pero siguro compared to the mas nakakaraming Pilipino na hindi nakaaral, like nung masa na hindi lahat sila nakapagtapos... I think in that aspect, I can see my character. I can see that education is a big deal for most of our Filipinos who need it.

What’s the most challenging thing you had to do?

In rehearsals, the most challenging was to be on time. (laughs) No, hindi naman! Siguro it was really to grasp the whole Tagalog bit kasi I really think in English, but I had to really think in Tagalog this time, for this musical and especially with the words and how it’s constructed in such a way that you really had to sound Tagalog, para authentic.

Any memorable experience so far?

So far, my memorable experience in this musical is muntikan ko nang masaksak si Kuya Bodjie ng kutsilyo (by accident). Sabi niya, occupational hazard yun, and the great Kuya Bodjie as one of my idols, parang memorable na yun na parang to control.

How do you balance showbiz and theatre?

If you want it, you will make it happen. I really wanted this. I wanted also showbiz, so I had to do everything to do it. I think that’s just the only way. Iba yung want sa need eh. I think this is what I want. Showbiz also, I want. Syempre.

What’s your favorite scene in the musical?

It’s the last scene. Kasi after all diba, that hardship that you go through the whole musical, and the whole string of how you woo Maria Clara, and how Ibarra goes through this whole difficult process of roller coaster emotions of losing his father (which fortunately I cannot relate to), at the end of this whole scene, kumbaga pagdating kay Maria Clara, nare-realize na nakakapagmahal pa rin si Crisostomo Ibarra. Naks! Parang ganun eh! (starts singing a snippet of Ibarra and Maria’s final duet) Mabigat yun eh!

What’s your favourite song?

I actually like the “Damaso” song. Hindi, siguro “Gapusin...” na lang. Yun na lang yung favorite song ko, kasi yun yung pinaka nahihirapan ako na kanta eh. Kasi ang daming nangyayari, parang galit ako na hindi, na naiinis ako na kailangan kong tanggapin, kailangan kong iharap, galit ako na hindi pwedeng magalit dahil makukulong ako. Yun yung nangyayari dun sa kanta na yun, at nangyayari siya in 2 minutes. At ang dami daming salita na 80% of it I started out that I didn’t know what they mean. Like guho, ruins pala siya, mga ganun. (laughs)

What’s the best advice you received? In performing, in theatre or in life in general?

I think [that] you don’t get everything right away. You need to work hard for it. You may be able to cross the bridge, but mas maganda yung makatawid ng bridge na buo lahat ng limbs mo. Na suot mo pa rin yung sapatos mo, ganun, at lahat ng dinala mo dun sa giyera na mauuwi mo pa rin. Hindi yung parang tumawid ka ng bridge na nakahubad ka na, putol na yung paa mo, ganun. Parang hindi ka rin nakatwid eh. You need to prepare before you go to war, before you do this, before you attack this. I think that’s what I did. Hindi ako sasabak dito na hindi ako prepared, and I think that’s what I should be doing in everything. And I think that’s what people should be doing before they proceed with their work. They should always be prepared ahead of time. Parang 2 moves ahead ka dapat, parang chess, para manalo ka.

What’s the best advice you could give?

The best advice I could give is you need to enjoy your work. If you don’t, people will not enjoy also. Another thing that I got good advice here pala is if you don’t see it when you do it, the people won’t see it also.

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

Photo courtesy of Tanghalang Pilipino.

Mark Bautista as Crisostomo Ibarra in TP's Noli Me Tangere.

I haven't been blogging as much as I used to, but as a treat for you guys, here's a brief interview with one of the actors playing Crisostomo Ibarra in Tanghalang Pilipino's Noli Me Tangere: The Musical, Mark Bautista.

So is this your first play or musical?

First musical na play. 

And how does it feel?

Ang sarap. Iba yung fulfillment sa stage, sa theater. Iba yung atmosphere, iba yung passion ng mga katrabaho.

What did you do to prepare for your role as Crisostomo Ibarra?

Well, may background na kasi ako since high school, may Filipino na subject. Tapos ngayon, syempre mas lumalim sa tulong ni Direk Audie. Nagkaroon ng characterization, pinaintindi niya sa amin yung character, and then yung story din, and we discussed yung aming ginawa, para magampanan yung role ng maayos. And nag-voice lesson ako. And hindi na ako lumalabas. I mean for the entire month, siguro, hindi ako lumalakwatsa, yung mga ganun. So talagang focus, concentrate ako dito sa play na ito. Actually, mahirap siya. Mahirap dahil hindi talaga ito yung usual na ginagawa ko [tulad ng concert], pero masarap na mahirap, kung may ganung mang term. Pero nage-enjoy ako.

Do you find any similarities between you and your character (Ibarra)?

Woah. Totally different. I think ang kapareho ko lang sa kanya, pag may gusto kaming mangyari sa buhay, gagawin namin. At masunurin din, para sa magulang. Para sa minamahal.

What’s the most challenging thing you had to do in rehearsals?

Rehearsals... Well, nung first kasi, yung adjustment ko, iba. [Kung] kailangan kong mag-adjust sa pagkanta, sa pag-arte. Kasi sa theatre, mas malaki yung acting. At syempre first time ko ring makatrabaho yung lahat ng cast. Malaking adjustment sakin. And siguro yung first week ng rehearsals, yun yung pinakamahirap sakin. And yung pag-memorize, kasi ang lalalim ng Tagalog. Tapos ang mga songs kasi ang tataas, so parang hinahanapan ko siya ng paraan na maabot ko at hindi ako mapagod.

Do you have any memorable experience so far?

Siguro yung first time kong ma-experience yung CCP Little Theater. At ito mismo, Noli Me Tangere, binigay sakin na lead role. Hindi ko makakalimutan yun. At yung kung paano magtrabaho din yung theatre actors. Tatak yun sakin.

You have a pretty busy schedule...

Actually yun din pala yung mahirap. During rehearsals, diba nag-abroad ako... as in sobrang abroad, so talagang malaking challenge.

So how do you balance it?

Well, sa plane, actually may dala akong script... Sa trabaho ko, dala ko yung iPod, nakikinig ako lagi sa plane dahil mahaba yung biyahe. Sa mga train, pinapakinggan ko, memorize. So dito naman, pag may Party Pilipinas, ang hirap din kasi pag Sunday... Saturday may performance, diba? Minsan pag susunod na Sunday, wala ka nang boses, minsan hindi ka na nakakapag-rehearse ng Party Pilipinas. Hindi ko nga alam kung pano ko ginagawa eh. Iniisip ko lang na parang, kailangan kong tapusin itong show na parang, hindi ko na iisipin yung hirap na pinagdadaanan. Kailangan lang siguro i-manage ko yung time ko. After ng mga shows, hindi na magsasalita, matulog ng maaga. Wala nang extra-curricular activities.

May sinabi ka kanina about gusto mong tapusin ito...

In a good way, ha? Gusto kong tapusin na, alam mo yung, iba kasi yung fulfillment pag matapos ito, at iba yung pakiramdam, masarap. Kaya gusto ko ma-feel na yung feeling na yun. Na pagkatapos, wow, nalampasan ko... nagawa ko. Gusto ko ma-feel yung sarap na yun.

Would you do more plays?

Alam mo, at home ako sa teatro. Nung mga rehearsals nga, or every performance, hindi ako yung kinakabahan. Ibig sabihin hindi ako yung natatakot na, “Shucks, ito nanaman...” Parang hindi burden sakin. Parang excited ako lagi.

What’s your favorite song or scene in the musical?

Ang dami. Well, gusto ko yung sa amin ni Padre Damaso, yung ending namin ni Maria Clara. Yung mga ballads na solo, gusto ko yun. Actually yung mga ending ng mga songs, yung talagang parang sinadyang nagging masakit yung mga awitin.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Well, ang dami kong nakukuhang advice. Una, yung kay Direk Audie. Kasi iba ang acting sa stage, diba? Ang dami niyang tinuro na dapat hindi ako emosyon lang, wala man lang movement sa katawan. Lakihan pa ang movement, or mag-react... [From] Co-stars, sa pagkanta rin, pinagtutuunan ko ng pansin, kasi siyempre iba yung singing dito. Lagi kong sinasaisip na dapat relax lang para di ako mapagod. Dapat may technique. So far, yun.

What’s the best advice you could give?

Siguro dito ko mas lalong naintindihan yung pagmamahal sa trabaho. Pag hindi mo mahal yung ginagawa mo, parang pabigat. And dito sa larangan ng teatro, bawal ang hindi mo mahal ang trabaho mo. Bawal ang nabibigatan ka. Dapat gusto mo, dapat passionate ka.

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

Photo courtesy of Tanghalang Pilipino.

Brief pondering.

It's been quite a long time since I made a somewhat cryptic post, but I guess this won't be that cryptic.

Snippets during a weird conversation some time ago...

"Wag ka ngang ganyan. Baka mapalayo lang lalo ako sa iyo."

"Dahil sa iyo, hindi ako magkaroon ng ______."

"Bakit parang umiiyak ka?"

"Hindi ah. Pagod lang ako."

The first phrase kind of irked me a little. Just a little. It just made me shut up.

Regarding the last, I realized how I'm such a bad liar. Especially when it comes to certain people. I can be so transparent. Even when I just shut up and close my eyes.

As for the second one, I don't know what it really meant. I sort of got annoyed and amused and weirded out all at the same time. Why blame me for something that can't seem to happen to you? I don't really have a choice, anyway, so I can't do anything about it. It still boils down to your choice, right? So why do I have to still be a big factor?

OK, I'll stop rationalizing now. Good night.