Conversations
days flat, that discovered Lav Diaz and Jeffrey Jeturian, two of today’s brilliant directors).
Recently, Mother Lily and daughter Roselle Monteverde screened more than 300 applicants for the Regal Acting Workshop under director Joey Javier Reyes, with 17 of them qualifying for further training supervised by the Actor’s Workshop Foundation of the Actors Guild of the Philippines with facilitators led by actor-director Manny Castañeda, Leo Martinez and Rez Cortez.
Asked what criteria he followed, Joey said, “Attitude and willingness to learn, love for the craft and intelligence,” adding, “workshops are meant to hone talent and not to make talent. Talent is God-given. May ilan, kahit ilang beses nang nagwo- workshop wala pa ring ibuga kasi hindi naman puwedeng pumiga ng dugo sa bato. I am strict with discipline. Ang pag-aartista ay hindi diversion; it is a job that requires dedication and professionalism.”
How many of the 17 does he think will make it?
Said Manny, “From so many who came to audition, we have chosen those with great potentials. Since they are all new, we are in the process of discovering the unique quality of each artist and how to enhance it even more. That’s the job given to me by Regal. However, as of the moment, half of them have great potentials in terms of looks and talent. The other half needs more polishing but are promising.”
Any pointers/advice that he has given them?
“I told them that they are armed with a process of acting so they can tackle any role,” said Leo. “I did not teach them how to act. I taught them how to push their own buttons. Whatever the emotion, they should know how to access it.”
Here they are (all Filipino except one, with experience in acting, modeling and dancing), not just the usual trio… the more the merrier: 1. Jon Leo, 22 (appeared in Master Facial Wash and Lucky Me commercials) 2. Paolo Diaz, 22 3. Sisi Gonzalez, 17 4. Drew Magbag, 15
5. Jenny Arteta, 22 (has appeared in TV shows and done commercials) 6. Luke Conde, 25 ( It’s Showtime Gandang Lalake finalist; in the cast of Kapamilya soaps Oh My G! and Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita; indie film Ang Batang Rizal at Batang Magiliw; commercials for Nescafé, Toyota, San Miguel Light, Smart Telecom and McDonald’s) 7. Danielle Diaz, 15 8. Christian Alano, 19 (has appeared in TV dramas and done print modeling) 9. Shine Kuk, 21; Korean (Eat, Bulaga!’s 2014 You’re My Foreignay winner) 10. Kaki Ramirez, 20 11. Rolini Pineda, 20 (Miss Chinatown 2013; appeared in some TV shows) 12. JM Lavarez, 20 (Walang Tulugan with Master Showman 2013-2014; indie film Hakbang; Rejoice commercial) 13. Cherise Castro, 16 14. Lawrence Yap, 20 (Mr. Chinatown 2014 second runner-up; Gandang Gabi Vice guest) 15. Ralph Urbano, 18 16. Fiona Yang, 17 17. Miggy Marty, 25 (in commercials for Talk n Text, Head & Shoulders, TM Mobile Sim and Tanduay Ice) Some of them are in the cast of No Boyfriend Since Birth, starring Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez, and Pre-Nup, with Jennylyn Mercado and Sam Milby, both Regal movies now shooting. Who of them will wear Mother Lily’s Magic Camison? Who will Stardom bless? Let’s wait and see.