Feature: Summer Saya sa Aurora: Facilitating the Theatre Arts Workshop to the Youth of Casiguran

Being in theatre for 10 years now, I’m often invited to give acting workshop to kids and teens every summer. Most of those who invite me are my friends and co-actors starting a new group; others are contacts from my network who organize worthwhile summer activities for the youngsters. It has been a normal job for me every summer. Mostly are just within the Metro. Last year I taught the kids and teenagers from Philand, Tandang Sora and we had their culminating activity at the front yard of their chapel. The workshop ran for almost 4 weeks.

This year was different though because I had to travel 10-12 hours to Aurora and spent four straight days there. I’m not really new to community workshop because I used to do that back in my college days. During my time at PUP, I was part of a theatre group Tanghalang Hulyo Beinte Tres Ink. and we organized community theatre workshop every summer of the year. We went to different provinces and immersed ourselves to the core of the community. We reached out to their children and teens and educate them about theatre arts. My last community workshop with THBTI was five years ago at Tugos, Marinduque and this year I got to experience it again at the province of Aurora.

I was just actually invited by ate Dang to come along with her. We were commissioned by Sir Frank Rivera to Casiguran, Aurora to facilitate Integrated Theatre Arts workshop for the youth there. The event “Summer Saya sa Aurora” by Theatro Kalinangan ng Aurora was spearheaded by Sir Larry Dulay in collaboration with the different schools in Casiguran. We travel on the night of April 25 and arrived at Casiguran at 8AM in the morning of April 26. It was a long and exhausting road trip from Manila to Cabanatuan, Cabanatuan to Baler, and Baler to Casiguran. However, it was all worth it because the place was relaxing and all the people are hospitable and nice. They warmly welcomed us and provided us all that we needed. We stayed at the Lodging House of Dr. Lanay and held the workshop at the newly built Agricula Covered Court. 

When we arrived in the morning of April 26 we just rested some few minutes and headed to Agricula to begin the first day of the activity. Around 80-90 participants enlisted ranging from 7 to 18 years old. It was a huge class but ate Dang and I managed it through the help of Sir Larry and the ever-supportive teachers. At first I doubted the cooperation of the young ones but to my amazement they were more enthusiastic and participative than the older ones. 

I’m reminded again how growing up created layers to our personality that in time like this, the older ones get to hold back more of themselves than the kids who are all out in expressing their selves out. There were still some kids who were too shy to give their 100 percent in the workshop but the good thing was that, they still did whatever we were asking them to do.

The first day of the activity was more of games and introduction to the arts of acting. The participants enjoyed it as well as the teachers who joined in the workshop. The second day became more serious though. We needed to exert more efforts in motivating the participants to express their emotions. It took us time in convincing them to shake off their inhibitions. Our patience was tested but we were happy to see that these youngsters, in spite of their struggle with their own selves (on whether to try the activity or to just drop the whole idea of attending the acting class) still tried to give their very best. I knew that while some of them were bibo kids, there were some who seemed quiet and timid but only hiding a great talent. Some of them might not yet ready to unleash it, some of them might not yet ready to conquer their fear; to break the chain that bind their will to express their selves; I know in time though, they will be ready. 

Just like in any class, there were those kids who stood out among the rest. One of them is the boy named Rodvic. When you looked at him you would think of him as one of the naughtiest kids in the class; someone who would always throw papers to his classmates; who would always submit a blank paper during exam; who would always start the fight inside the classroom. Well he might be indeed that someone; but in our class, he’s the creamiest among the crop. He surpassed even those who are older than him. He still has lot more to learn when it comes to acting but his unrestrained creativity, his scope of exploration in the workshop is wide that he get to discover new learning  more quickly than the others. His thinking was advanced perhaps because of his creative imagination; and that what highly matters in the world of theatre. One example was in the Four Basic Emotion exercise where I would ask for a scene and they would portray it in tableaux with an appropriate emotion. Whenever I asked for a scene of funeral, all members in the each group would take the role of the mourners. Only Rodvic and Rodvic alone had thought of taking the role of the deceased. He lied down in front of his team mates who were already posing as family and friends of the dead. Another one was when we asked them to act out a natural calamity. In Rodvic’s group, landslide was assigned to them. When it was their turn to act that the logs from the mountains were rolling down, Rodvic reacted while stomping his feet to the wooden stage. It created the sound effects of logs that were now coming into them. No one instructed him but out of nowhere he had thought of doing that. In the actual performance, Rodvic’s group was assigned with a war scene. The older boys were supposed to hold a big handkerchief and stretch it like a gun. In the scene, the older boys were fighting the rebels to protect their community but they were all defeated and died. In the last part, the child Rodvic would take one of the guns and aimed it to the audience. Unfortunately, these older boys forgot to bring the gun props and just held an imaginary gun during the act. When it was Rodvic’s turn, I thought he would also hold an imaginary gun like what the other else did but no, he walked right into the centre of the stage with his eyes blazing. He held up the wireless microphone like a gun and aimed it to the audience. He never did that at the rehearsal but right there in the actual stage, he had thought to improvise; he had thought of using the microphone as a gun.

Another one who stood out in the class was Cymer, a girl of Rodvic’s age. You’d never notice her among the crowd because she was quiet. She never volunteers and she was never active in assessment and interaction. But whenever she went onstage and acted out a particular scene, you’d be amazed on how great actress she is. She knew how to internalize, she knew how to act even without lines to deliver, and she knew how to speak only through her eyes. I don’t know where she had learned it or where her motivation was coming from but one thing for sure, she can be a good stage actress someday. 

Aside from Rodvic and Cymer, there were lots of other workshoppers who stood out and proved their talents. This workshop was just a beginning of their learning and we hoped they never stop there. I’ll not be surprised if some day in the future I would bump to any one of them inside a rehearsal room. I wouldn't wonder if I get to work with them one day in one theatre play.

This workshop was another great experience for me to cherish. I remember my youth when I was as hopeful and enthusiastic as these kids; I remember the fear and doubts; but most of all I remember how I used to dream like them -- to dream and hope without limits. Thank you to these people. My passion was once again rekindled and fueled with goals and purpose. 

For more photos of the workshop you can check https://www.facebook.com/uel.ceballos/media_set?set=a.10205834412432721.1029921598&type=3

True love can't be denied

I’m supposed to attend a job interview today. I confirmed with it yesterday when the HRD texted me of the interview invitation. Just like the past invitations I have had for the last several months I never show up even though I said I will. Something always comes up within me just night before the day of the interview. It’s not the fear of the interviewer, it’s not the fear of the job position or description, but it’s the fear of my own self and of what I’m up to encounter this time if I’ll place again myself in a regular job position.

I’ve been calling myself a freelancer for almost a year now. The last time I spent time inside an office working as an employee was August last year under a foreign managed company. My boss was a Belgian citizen married to a Fillipina for more than eight years now as far as my memory can remember. I worked there as Marketing Executive, setting appointments with the General Managers, Hotel Managers, and Food and Beverage Heads of various five-star hotels. The company is selling first-class decorative LEDs perfect for hospitality businesses. I have arranged several meetings for my boss to build up his products and even went to the meeting myself whenever my boss and his wife were out of town. I only lasted there four months. I submitted my resignation letter effective on the day of my submission. I just left it on the table outside my boss’ office then left the office in what seemed like a running-walking pace. My bosses usually arrived late in the morning so the moment they found my letter I was already on my way home. 

I’ve been to two other companies before I landed on that office operated by my former Belgian boss. On the last two, I lasted longer, spending one year and half on the first one and almost two years on the second. I know in my heart that I’m always trying to be the best employee that I can be. For my three years of working as employee, I was able to earn a pat on the back, hearing my bosses saying, “Congratulations”, “Job well done”, “Way to go”. But it also happened often that I found myself in a closed door meeting with them. Hearing words of encouragement that I could do even better, that there are still rooms for improvement if only I will strive for it. I always recognized those moments that my superiors appreciated my works but what always remarked firmly on my thoughts are those moments that they were dissatisfied and discontented with the effort that I was giving. 

Whether they know about it or not, I really can’t blame them enough for their views. Though I’m doing well on my job, one who knows me well really can’t claim that I’m giving great amount of percent to my works. I’m always half-hearted, meaning I always divide myself between the job that I need to do and the things that I always wanted to do. 

No matter how I tried, I just can’t leave the life of performing and my dream of becoming a successful writer someday. I’m engaged to Community Theater, playing character parts, often as one of the chorus or dancers. Maybe I can never be the leading star that I’ve been dreaming of when I was younger but I can never feel much more alive than when I’m there on the stage singing at the top of my lungs or losing myself in a dance. 

I’ve been trying hard to balance both works but things that way just won’t go in favor of me. Rehearsals after office works are terribly tiresome. Going home almost at midnight then having to wake up early in the dawn is definitely driving me nuts. Memorizing lines and songs while in the office half concentrated on paper works isn't just seemed right. Finally, after three years of enduring such kind of lifestyle I have set up mercilessly for myself, I felt tired and worn out. All of the sudden I just wanted to disappear and find refuge in a faraway place and restart a new but simpler life there. I can never be the best that I can if I’m always half-divided: my heart, my time, my effort, myself. And also, I finally accepted it to myself that I can really never fit in to a routinely life, with so much rules-to-follow on it. 

I’m a woman born for adventure and dynamic lifestyle. But whenever my sources of income falter and giving me much less in a month, I’m always tempted to apply again for a regular job that will give me a fixed monthly earnings. Until when I’m almost about to enter again that door of good opportunity, I look back on what I might give up and leave behind. The lifestyle I keep coming back for. It’s like being torn between a promising love that can give you much and the love that you’ve been with through thick and thin but promises you none of life’s comforts and luxuries. If I proceed to the promising love, I might be giving myself only a false belief and will just break the heart of that promising love in the future. I have seen it happened for several times now, no matter how tough the goings get, I just always find myself going back to that love who promises none but the fulfillment of the soul and heart.