For Pinky, nothing is impossible
“I’m always willing to challenge the status quo and to do what seems to be impossible in pursuit of my dreams.” These are words of three- time Aliw winner, tri- media artist and pioneering performer of a leading theater company, Pinky Amador.
Known for her roles in television, film and on stage, Pinky rose to the challenge and pursued a career in all three industries, confidently proving that an actor is not confined to only one medium. She was given the nod of approval for stage acting by her superiors, such as founder of Repertory Philippines — more popularly known as REP — and her aunt, Zeneida “Bibot” Amador. Her first two lead roles were in REP’s I
Ought to be in Pictures and Agnes of God for which she earned her first Best Stage Actress win in the 1983 Aliw Awards.
Her versatility also earned her many roles on primetime soap operas and movies. Awards and notable projects already paved the way for a thriving career in the theater and entertainment businesses, but instead of just simply taking on one role after another, Pinky considered her achievements as motivation.
“I needed to be responsible enough to push myself harder. I felt I still had much to learn that’s why I decided to go abroad for extensive training,” says Pinky. “I was awarded a scholarship from the British Council to take my master’s degree in Theater at The Bristol Old Vic Theater School.” Being far from the comforts of home didn’t stop her from doing what she loves, and while studying, Pinky also landed herself a role in the original West End production of Miss Saigon.
“I continued to shuttle to and from Manila and London trying to pursue careers in both cities. That was very challenging because every time I came back to a city, it would feel like I was always starting over,” she says. “I feel as if I rebelled against being boxed into a single medium as an actress.”
Thanks to her days of training under REP, and her Tita Bibot, she learned necessary principles, which help her succeed as an actress — discipline, focus and determination. Up to today, Pinky keeps up her determined spirit to pursue careers in all three industries — theater, television and film.
“I feel it makes me grow, through diversity,” Pinky says. “I always try to do at least one play a year, not only because it keeps my feet on the ground, but the diversity of characters is much wider and more challenging in a way.” She adds, “That ‘stretch’ is so important for one’s artistry.”
Pinky’s home, REP, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary and as part of REP’s line-up of shows, the company is restaging Agnes of God. It is a thought-provoking drama which tells the story of the young nun Agnes’ mysterious case as she is accused of conceiving and murdering her own baby in the convent.
When REP first staged this production, Pinky played the titular role of Agnes. More than 30 years later, Pinky returns to the set of Agnes of God but this time as the strong-willed Mother Superior Miriam Ruth who is Agnes’ sole protector. Interestingly, her Tita Bibot played the role of Mother Miriam Ruth alongside Pinky as Agnes.
“Acting opposite Tita Bibot and Tita Baby Barredo taught me so much. I remember watching them a lot even when I was offstage,” Pinky recalls. “Twenty minutes before the show, I would wait in a dark room in the wings, centering myself to get into character and to calm my nerves mostly. It was really terrifying working with the greats.”
Pinky also remembers that playing Agnes was such an intense learning process. Though she has played many roles since then, Agnes would always be memorable for her because of the character’s beliefs, habits, insecurities, joy and pain. “It was frightening and beautiful all at the same time,” she says.
Now Pinky is prepared to transition from Agnes to Mother Miriam Ruth. “They say it’s always harder to play a character older than yourself since you have never been that age, and that is exactly why I wanted to play this role,” says Pinky. “I still don’t know if I can ‘overcome’ playing a role which was played by
Tita Bibot, but I am surely going to give it all I’ve got and try.”
In REP’s 2017 production, playing opposite Pinky as the young nun Agnes is Becca Coates. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo also joins the cast as the court-appointed psychiatrist who goes head-to-head with Mother Miriam Ruth because of their clashing beliefs.
“This production is such pure joy to be part of,” says Pinky. “We are a very conscientious team, despite each of our own workload and schedule challenges, we are all committed to the production and to each other. I simply cannot wait to share this with our audiences.”
Throughout her years of acting on stage, film and television, Pinky proves that there is no limit to what roles you can play as long as you put your mind and heart into it. Witness her transform into Mother Miriam Ruth in REP’s Agnes of God directed by Bart Guingona, until March 12 at the OnStage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.
(For inquiries, call REP at 843-3570 and Ticketworld at 891-9999 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.)