The Actor in Me

 It has been two years since I essayed the dual roles of Potiphar and the Pharaoh in Holy Name University's Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 

The adaptation was the main offering of the Languages & Communication Arts Department for the 2011 University Days of Holy Name University of Tagbilaran City

As an English and Communication Arts faculty member of the the school's College of Arts and Sciences, I was always given the opportunity to be part of the department's annual musical adaptations for three consecutive years

I was supposed to play only the supporting Potiphar role since we always believe that the students should be given the spotlight since we want them to hone and polish their thespic and terpsichorean talents onstage

As Potiphar

 HOW I CLINCHED THE ROLE

Two weeks before the show was to open before a sellout crowd of students and alumni, still no Pharaoh. 

So Sir Marianito Luspo, HNU's Cultural Affairs Director and Ramon Boloron, Languages Department Chair decided to hold auditions but still no Pharaoh. 

Finally, in exasperation (or was it desperation?), they both looked at me and asked "Can you do an Elvis Presley impersonation?" "

Oh, that would be a breeze for me" I said and the rest, as the cliche goes, was history 

During Technical Rehearsals

Curtain Call: Jubilation and Elation

As Magaldi in HNU's adaptation of Evita

In a P.E.T.A. Production

 P.E.T.A. EXPERIENCE

But what I am really excited and proud about is the fact that I was cast by Teatro Bol-anon through Gardy Labad for a re-interpretation in Visayan of excerpts from F. Sionil Jose's Balikbayan

It was directed by Philippine Educational Theater Arts’ Melvin Lee and assisted by California-based Center Theater Group’s Lorely Garrote Trinidad. 

I got one of the meaty parts after a read through for "Dong-Ao", the second act of Balikbayan. 

Dong-Ao is the traditional Ilokano ritual wailing usually performed by friends or relatives of the deceased during the wake and before the coffin is lowered into the grave

After the show, respected historian and HNU Cultural Arts Director Marianito Luspo summed it up when he approached me and remarked" 

Raul, you know what? F. Sionil Jose said that your performance was up to par with that of the actor who essayed the role in the Cultural Center of the Philippines! 

And to think I've always thought that you were only good for hosting jobs! " 

Wow! I was speechless