Reminiscing My Love

As I grow older, I cannot but recall the glorious moments when I went into theatre which is my first love. Starting young in high school, I was always excited to attend my drama class with Mrs. Era where I portrayed many roles in our class acting activities. After one stage play in high school, there was no follow up during my university years as I was studying to be in priesthood (seriously).

When I started working, I was the shy fellow and I need to do something about this so I attended an acting workshop at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines. I can vividly recall what my teachers told everyone after two weeks of attendance.

"I am so disappointed with all of you except for Jonathan!", said Frank Rivera, our acting mentor. "When Jonathan arrived late the first day of class, I looked at my assistant and blurted, another nerd! However, he is the only one who writes down all the pointers in class, who listens intently and follow all the instructions and blew us away with his first acting presentation. I wanted you to be like him because if you cannot, please do not come to class anymore!"

Then after some years, I attended another acting class given by Monique Wilson under her New Voice Company. There were almost forty participants during the early weeks of classes until the number dwindled to less than fifteen. There were only two men left and some of the ladies had to performe male parts. I learned that most were intimidated by the use of English while performing in class which was a pity because it wasn't an English camp, it was an acting workshop. We performed Our Town.

I remembered walking down the school hall when I met a friend named Kelly McKay and she looked at me and gave me the widest smile ever. I asked her why and she just said, "Perfect!" Later I received a notice asking me to report at the school's auditorium and there was Dennis Marasigan, the theatre director, who seemed to be unaware of my presence until I was introduced to him by my friends on stage. I immediately got the part without knowing what I will be doing. 

The Eunuchs

The Proteans

The Dancers

In summary, I felt like an outsider since I am not being directed as to where I should stand or walk. I made my own moves. Fortunately, all the ad libs I did worked so well that after all the performances, I was so popular that I get morning greetings whenever the faculty and students see me. I did two plays for the school, A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the Forum and Aunt Mame.

Aunt Mame

Nora (Cheryl) and Ito (Jonathan)

My best memory of being in my last theatre play was when I accidentally bumped into Tami Monsod in Thailand a few years after. "Oh my, you are here in Thailand," she said. "I have to tell you that someone from our last theatre play wanted to know you more but that person was just so shy to approach you. After that play and the school year, our friend left Manila downhearted." Sighs...

Here, I became a children's theatre director after my stint in Manila and had been teaching drama for young children ever since. Though I had not been on stage for a long time as an actor, my heart still and will be in theatre arts.