I've never admired Senator Manny Villar until today. Just this morning, while we were watching showtime to release a little bit of tensions brought about by long election day, a news break flashed in with Villar delivering a lonely speech before the media. He is accepting his defeat in the presidential run. Ganun din ang ginawa ng iba pang mga presidentiables like Gilbert Teodoro, Eduardo Villanueva at yung bet ko si Richard Gordon. Dapat pala politicians of honor ang title ko ngayon pero tama naman na lahat dapat ng pulitiko ganun. Ngayon, hindi na uso ang "Nadaya ako scheme" kasi automated na. This is the normal scene in America, walang nagko-complain na nadaya. Ngayon lang nangyari ito marahil kasi nga ang bilis ng bilangan pero sa May 31 pa mapo-proklama ang nasabing mga nanalo kasi ayon s aSaligang Batas Artikulo VII, talataan 3; ang kongreso lamang sa pinagsanib nitong kapulungan [ kamara at senado] ang maaaring makapag proklama ng nagwaging pangulo at pangalawang pangulo. Ang tagal pa kasi hindi pa nagbubukas ng sesyon ang kongreso. Ang binilang kasi nila ay yung panahong gugulin sa pagbibilang ng resulta ng halalan na manual hindi automated.
Nagpapakita na ng pagka gentlemen ang ating mga pulitiko, isang sign na may magandang hinaharap ang pulitika sa bansang ito at sana totoo nga. Kasi naman hindi ako mapaniwala ni Legarda na taos sa puso ang ginawa niya kanina. Kung totoong tanggap na niya ng pagkatalo bakit kailangan pa niyang maghain ng mga protesta sa pandaraya eh hindi nga siya nadaya. Natalo siya. Ngayon, si Erap at Perlas na lang ang inaantay na magconcede. Si Mar Roxas, natural hindi muna siya magco-concede kasi ang lapit pa ng laban nila ni Binay. Hindi pa naman nabibilang ang kabuuan ng lahat ng boto. Partial and unofficial lahat ang nakikita natin. Maganda ang automated election natin yun nga lang kailangan pa ayusin yug ibang detalye next election.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Suffrage
I have waited long for the automated election. I am an advocate of technological advancements. Maybe because of my inclination to broadcasting and philosophy of science and technology. It maybe because 43% of my week is alloted for computer works, on line entertainment, and social networking. So, I believe that with the anti-manual election we are already having a breakthrough in our political system. Although I am still pursuing for a biparty system and hope this technocrats will be enlightened that our government is better off the way America is practicing right now. Menos ang gastos at walang nuisance candidates. Magkakaroon ba ng nuisance kung dalawa lang ang partido?
Ano ang mga suggestions ko? Dapat October to November nagbobotohan na ang Pilipinas para matesting ang PCOS Machines at ang reliability nito. Magastos? Oh My God, gumastos na rin lang tayo sa pagpurachase bakit hindi pa nag pre elction. Halimbawa nung November or Janaury dapat nagelection tayo kung sino ang Big Winner sa PBB Double Up at bibilangin ng COMELEC, ibo-broadcast ito at lahat ng Pilipino pupunta sa Ppresinto nila para bumuto kung sino ang Big Winner o kaya alin ang magandang kanat kay Lady Gaga o kay Ke$ha? Funny na naman? Seryoso ako. Thta's when we can check kung talagang pwuwede ang eleksyon. Walang sabit.
Second, dapat lahat ng 17 year old na intelelctually at physically able na mamamayan i-assign sa PPCRV so befor ethey turn 18 they know how the elections are done. Hindi puwedeng volunteer volunteer lang. Dapat nasa COMELEC or PPCRV office sila or saan mang arm ng COMELEC.
They shouls do it as imperative because tungkulin nila yan sa bayan dahil hindi naman sila boboto. Tuloy yung mga volunteers minsan hindi nakakaboto. Dapat yung mga 17 year old na hindi rehistrado legally ang nasa mga precinct.
Did I vote. Yes karapatan ko yan. Kahit ayaw ko sa sistema dapat ko gawin yan. Baki may mga bumuboto na 3 senador lang, 2 konsehal lang? Ako kung ang kelangan 12 senators, 12 talaga. Isipin mo pumila ka doon para marinig ka ng bayan, lubusin mo na, iboto mo ang dapat dahil meron naman magaaral ka lang ng profiles nila. Mapanuri ka dapat bilang botante. Kung kelangan not more than 2 na bokal, so dalawa. Bakit pa isa lang? Kung kelangan not more than 8 na konsehal, eh di walo. Bakit pito lang? It is my right and responsibility as a citizen to vote intellectually and godly. Tandaan, we elect bad leaders by not voting for the good ones. Kung hindi ka boboto at iiwan mong blanko yung spot na yun sa balot, for example vice president, eh di para mo na rin hinayaan manalo yung hindi dapat manalo.
Togather with my Mom and my sister, we proceed to our precint which precinct number 0071-A. Nagfill up lang kami ng panagalan then umalis muna ako kanina para mag internet. Bakit ako uupo dun at magaantay eh pwede naman ako i-text pag malapit na akong tawagin. Sumapit na ang oras, after 1 hour sa internet cafe, nakareceive na ako ng call at pinapapunta na ako ni Mama sa presinto to vote, 98 na ang tawag. I am number 104. Malapit na nga. So I rushed to Crisanto Guysayko Elementary School, my alma mater and pagdating ko, sakto tinawag ang pangalan ko. Pumila kami ng 10 minutes din {matagal din} saka pa ako nakapirma at binigyan ng balota {kung puwede lang iuwi ang balota as souvenir}. Nag shade ako sa isang corner at maya maya lang wala pang 7 minutes humanay na ako para isalang ang balota ko sa PCOS machine. Para lang akong nagshe-shred ng paper sa shreding machine. At ang pinaka exciting sa lahat yun pakiramdam na lumabas na sa monitor yung salitang "Congratulations!" {Kung puwede nga sisgaw sana ako ng malakas na Congratulations!} pero wala naman ako sa Wowowee para isigaw yun dahil wala namang nanalo sa palaro ng Rexona. Kasabay ko umuwi sila Paul Andrew, Arjan at Alger. Si Raprap lang ang wala. Si Isaac kasi watcher eh. Si Daryl hindi nakauwi nasa Manila. Si Je hindi registered at si Edison nasa ibang bansa. Pagkauwi ko kanina, Nasa bahay na sila Tita, Ate Jovy at Kuya Marlon. Ang saya ng lunch puno ng kuwentuhan. The mere fact na ang dami ko ring nakitang kakilala sa presinto, is a good feeling. Somehow I tried reminiscing the days na magkakasama kami. Ang pinaka the best ay dumating kanina si Kevin sa bahay, hapon na rin siya nakaboto, at binayaran niya na ako ng Php 1, 500. Long time waiting t=din parang election. Aba, mahalaga rin yung camera na yun ha. Isipin mo ang daming event na dapat nakuhanan ng picture at in-upload sa facebook ang hindi ko nagawa dahil pinagbili ko sa kanya yung camera.
Tomorrow, we will all be busy for another day of work. Hindi na holiday bukas. Maaaring may partial results na sa national election at may i-proklama na sa local. Whatever happens, I know I have all energies for that. Eh paano maaga matutulog dahil walang mga programs sa TV. All coverages. I think, this election is worth the wait. Matalo man ang ibinoto ko, alam ko na ibinoto ko kung sino ang sinasabi ng konsensiya ko na tama at taas noo akong haharap na isa ako sa pinakamatalinong botante na humawak ng balota sa araw na ito. naging mapanuri, nagisip at nagdasal para sa isang makatuturang gawain na minsan sa tatlong taon ko lang maaaring gawin para sa lahing Pilipino. At maaaring dumating ang panahon na lahat tayo ganun na. Happy Election Day!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Tranquility
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
The words of our Lord as quoted from John 14:27.
What are the signs that a person is not yet living in peace? Here are some...
1. Fear--- A person with a bad relationship to God, to himself, to community and to loved ones is a person full of fright. he doesn't know if he will wake up again alive. Or he may have good relationships but without peace of the Lord he will not be able to trust life completely. He cannot sleep for fear that a thief may enter the house. Are you this kind of person? Somebody who is insecure with life? Then maybe the peace given by Christ is not yet in you.
2. Trouble --- A person who is always in trouble because of competition, fights, wars and misunderstandings is a person without peace. How can you have peace when it is impossible to live peacefully? A person in Christ is not anymore quarrelsome.
3. Anguish--- It is normal to experience loneliness and depressions once in a while. But if you are regularly living in grief, I think there is something wrong with the you. You may not be living in God's peaceful reign.
We can live in the Kingdom of God while still alive. Jesus said "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" and that means if you do the will of God who is in heaven, then you are living in the Kingdom of God. In the second reading from Revelations we see a New Jerusalem where Peace and Melodious living reigns because of Jesus. We need not wait for that to come because we can experience the Peace of Christ and the Kingdom of God here at this very minute. The First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles testifies to that when the apostles came up with a negotiable resolution by engaging in a peaceful yet extensive and delicate council meeting. The apostles exemplified a peaceful discourse about the case of uncircumcised gentiles. They came up with a solution and there were no mess at all. Tomorrow on election day, we can elect and form a new set of leaders in government without bloody and violent scenarios. We just have to live in the tranquility of Jesus not as the world gives peace but as Jesus gives peace.
What are the signs that we are in peace? Let's read John again,
"Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
A person of peace has no fear, no trouble, no anguish. He lives in the same way as Christ would want him to be.
The words of our Lord as quoted from John 14:27.
What are the signs that a person is not yet living in peace? Here are some...
1. Fear--- A person with a bad relationship to God, to himself, to community and to loved ones is a person full of fright. he doesn't know if he will wake up again alive. Or he may have good relationships but without peace of the Lord he will not be able to trust life completely. He cannot sleep for fear that a thief may enter the house. Are you this kind of person? Somebody who is insecure with life? Then maybe the peace given by Christ is not yet in you.
2. Trouble --- A person who is always in trouble because of competition, fights, wars and misunderstandings is a person without peace. How can you have peace when it is impossible to live peacefully? A person in Christ is not anymore quarrelsome.
3. Anguish--- It is normal to experience loneliness and depressions once in a while. But if you are regularly living in grief, I think there is something wrong with the you. You may not be living in God's peaceful reign.
We can live in the Kingdom of God while still alive. Jesus said "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" and that means if you do the will of God who is in heaven, then you are living in the Kingdom of God. In the second reading from Revelations we see a New Jerusalem where Peace and Melodious living reigns because of Jesus. We need not wait for that to come because we can experience the Peace of Christ and the Kingdom of God here at this very minute. The First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles testifies to that when the apostles came up with a negotiable resolution by engaging in a peaceful yet extensive and delicate council meeting. The apostles exemplified a peaceful discourse about the case of uncircumcised gentiles. They came up with a solution and there were no mess at all. Tomorrow on election day, we can elect and form a new set of leaders in government without bloody and violent scenarios. We just have to live in the tranquility of Jesus not as the world gives peace but as Jesus gives peace.
What are the signs that we are in peace? Let's read John again,
"Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
A person of peace has no fear, no trouble, no anguish. He lives in the same way as Christ would want him to be.
Revisions
It's Mom's day today. I can only thank all those women who treated me as their son. Professionally, I look up to Ma'am Nikki as a Mom because she seem to be an eagle-like mom who taught us how to fly in the industry we are in. I did an article about directing and after reading it she went the extra mile to edit my piece. Was I offended? No, because that made me feel like a son, with a mother correcting my work in need totally of revisions. Here is the e-mail;
____________________________
Dear Paul,
Congratulations! This was a very interesting paper - the thought and work you put into it deserves an equal amount of thought in my response.
My comments and opinions in red. In spite of all the comments (you know me, I can be very, very straightforward) I truly enjoyed reading this, it certainly made my mind work. I think you have succeeded in getting at least one person to think, a triumph which not all writers can lay claim to.
Nikki
-----------------------------------------------------------
In Search of A Stage Director
If this is meant as a feature article or an op-ed piece, then it is a very good one. However, if it is meant as an academic treatise then may I gently point out that you should first tell us who you are, what your background is and how many TV shows, movies and plays you watched in order to form these opinions. How many works of each genre and each director are you familiar with? In other words, even as an article, you should first set the stage, so to speak and give the conditions under which you speak. Perhaps it is just a matter or reorganizing what is essentially a very good paper.
Another question is what is your point/ Are you trying to extoll the virtues of theater over other forms of storytelling? Are you simply trying to define what a good director is? I suggest in the interest of clarity you put your thesis statement at the beginning and then again at the end of your piece.
There are three Filipino directors who for me towers above the rests. They are Joel Ruiz {for independent film [Mansion, Arkeofilms]}; Laurenti Dyogi {for Reality TV Shows [PBB, Pinoy Dream Academy , Pinoy Fear Factor]} ; and Chris Millado {for stage and Special Event [ Director of Performing Arts Division, CCP]}. These gentlemen embodies the traditional and modern characteristics of a movie, TV and stage directors. Essentially, my opinion is that in the interest of fairness, one should not compare film with television and with theater. These are three different forms with different demands. True, they have their basic similarities but their differences are just too glaring. Some of which I will discuss in this paper. My primordial reason in writing this is to present a thesis of unique Filipino Blend of Artistic Direction worth of our glimpse rather than concentrating on Mainstream Directors. If we were having coffee right now I would ask for your definitions of the following a) unique b) Filipino and c) mainstream I do not want to degrade and never will I say that mainstream directors are not good enough {direk Lauren is also a mainstream director [ABS CBN , And I Love You So]}. The thing is, I believe, it is high-time that Filipinos should widen their artistic values by watching more challenging visuals like Indie films, Reality Shows and Stage Plays.
Introduction
Many post modern critics Really? Who? projected that theatre arts is a vehicle that will soon decline and die. But recent studies shows that more and more people are still going to Arts and Studio Centers to watch live acting performances on stage.
I am more of a theater person than film. So I love watching stage play in all forms whether experimental, arena type or studios. Once, I talked to a couple, both friend of mine, and asked how they spend Saturdays together. The man answered that he likes dating with his fiance before or after watching a play. He use to do it so that they will have something to talk about throughout the meal. The girl nodded that she likes to watch a play now rather than go to movie houses.
The same is true to people who annually anticipates the Cinemalaya Festival. More and more people are getting tired of mainstream and traditional forms of video entertainment. Isn't video by definition a form of technology and therefore not really traditional? Reality Shows captured the hearts of viewers tired of cinematic traditions, soap operas and scripted TV series.
In fact, theatre arts did not die for the last nine years of the new millennium. Malls, Movies, Music bars, and Modern gadgets {four M's} did not stop the proliferation of Performing Arts. As Ma'am Nikki told us then it became an infectious disease to all college students as an avenue to express the identity of their generation (really, I said this? Thanks for remembering.). Which for me is true, Communication Arts 101 will remind us of the missions of mass media as a whole;
1. To inform and eventually educate the populace.
2. To entertain avid audiences so as to combat boredom and anxiety.
3. To solicit, mold, and frame public opinion for expansion of cultural identity.
4. To increase marketing domains through mediated sales, telemarketing, TV and Radio promotions, advertisements, and publicity. and;
5. To inspire/ to spread optimism/ to keep fire of hope alive and uplift spiritual plethora.
All of these are visibly true to theatre arts. And as long as stage plays fulfill these missions, it will remain a part of communications media as one of her vehicle.
More and more are interested to be apart of their college theater guilds. I am very thankful to theater for if not for her I will never establish self-reliance, leadership skills and networking strategies. Theatre people from Saint Benilde, from UPLB, form Lyceum and Teatro Tomasino. there was one shining position in theatre that we always want to be an apprentice during our college days.... that of the Director.
Who is a Stage Director?
I have to reconcile the identity of Greek standardized director and a contemporary directors of the Philippine theater. We certainly have to clarify the identity of a stage director so we can distinguish him from a film and TV director. My seven years of practicing where? again, be clear about your parameters taught me that there are five requisites to be met so that a director be very genuine on stage. A director must be a storyteller, a theater artist, a problem solver, a coach, and a leader.
Lack of these five will diminish the capacity of the stage director to prove himself different from a TV and film director. Be clear - this is your opinion. Some people would disagree with you. Let us examine each identities in a very concise manner.
1. Theater Artist---A director is first of all a thespian. A person who understands theater in a deeper sense than any other. He must be somebody who loves theater that much and be capable to creatively and resourcefully exhaust all potentialities in theater to produce the most aesthetic fruit possible. A person who assumes the role of a director and ignorant of theatrical systems is a contradiction, a lie. Ignorance of theater and stage facilities will destroy even the versatility of his actors. I agree completely. He must be able to identify the roles of his crew and the probable blocking necessary for the script.
2. Storyteller/ Communicator---A director is at all times a communicator. he must be able to relay a broad idea to his cast and crew. he must be keen in studying the script and how the audiences and theater goers will like it. He should prioritize how he will tell a story to the audiences. Hence, the director should communicate well. Clear in his ideas, the director can avoid ambiguity on stage rehearsals by dealing properly with actors and actresses. A director must possess a very audible voice and comprehensible diction to be heard and understood. Again, we are in agreement . No doubt, the three men mentioned above are men with beautiful voices. Direk Joel, Direk Lauren, and Sir Chris are all directors in posture, knowledge and personalities. Even their voices are evidences of their profession.
3. Problem Solver---An efficient director anticipates day to day problem in rehearsals. It is a fact of life. A production lives along with smiles and sufferings. However, a director can lighten the burdens of a production rehearsal by studying the weaknesses of his people. Theater problems are never more painful than to a director. That is why a director is courageous to cross the sea of adventures and be refined by enduring the fire of topsy-turvy pre-production weeks. A director loves challenges in his career and that is the only way he can grow in his craft. Yes!
4. Understanding Coach---One thing I have observed in my years in theater is that directors cannot escape being a teacher. He is always an instructor. A coach who can be relied by his actors when it comes to artistic improvement. A coach is always there to support, to guide, and to believe. It is our job to correct and encourage the actors. Again, communication plays a vital role in this process of coaching. I agree but some would disagree.
The actors should learn to listen to the director and vice versa. Once I start working with my actors, I always make it a point that they will learn basic essentials of my production method. I start with a workshop and special acting class. I always ensure tat a person learns something during our encounter. A failure on my part if I don't teach a dog new tricks. We are the coach of the production team.
5. Leader---the director stands as the executive artistic facilitator of any production on stage. His absence signifies ruin. Hence, organization is expected when there is a director. Directing is leading. To lead people means to be first in showing them direction. Without direction people scatters. Without a leader the world is astray. His mind becomes the first mind of all. His thinking never stops from the first day of rehearsal up to the TDR. The only difference of a stage director to a conductor {aside from spelling of course} is that he cannot be there on stage when his men perform. He is left alone after the TDR. A director should lead by heart, lead using his head, and lead thru his hands.
The Classic Dramatic Principles
Now I'd like to propose that each directors of stage, to be efficient, should always evaluate if they accomplish and exercise these ten stage directing principles.
1. The Value of Time. Never shall a director forget the fixed motion of theater timetable. Make tardiness a curse and learn to be professional by being on time. Always allow yourself to work in a company with ample time. If you finish everything at the right time you will never know how much comfort you can enjoy with more people who loves to be with you at the right time too.
2. The Success of Perseverance. Only perseverance can teach you not to give up easily. When you persevere you don't just teach yourself to be persistent, you teach the world that you are not cheap. When you already did your best and nothing happened, that is the only time you can quit. People who continue to work amidst the hardships of life are the only people worthy of success.
3. The Dignity of Labor. Remember, no work is too dirty that you will refuse it and no idleness is so clean that can take you to new heights. A director should give his people time to work and he himself should try t work even for a menial task. He is never entitled to degrade any crew or production aid. Try to ask the company utilities who is the director they love. They will remember the director who helped them arrange the chairs, wash dishes and segregate garbage. Funny but true.
4. The Worth of Character. Your character safeguards your leadership. There was a cliche that states "Leadership is the combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy." It only shows that character is the labyrinth of leadership. Your good character builds the goodness or badness that your actors will witness. Look at the people who studied a lot in administration but are now in disastrous condition, they lacked character.
5. The Power of Kindness. I had a hard time balancing kindness and stiffness. Sometimes you really have to be strict. There are times you need to be a disciplinarian but kindness should outrun your despotism. Sir Chris Millado use to say that a director must "be loved" rather than "be feared" at all times.Iifyou are feared by actors, you will be able to get what you want but no amount of words can describe the resentment your robot-like men stored in their hearts. Be a kind director!
6. The Influence of Example. The only way for you to spread influence is by living it out. Example is the basic way we can teach implicitly. Teaching by example is easy and succinct. You are the model of your thespians. 70% of who they are and they will be on stage is of your making. You cannot force your principle t anyone, only when they find it in your example and learn the effectiveness of this concept will they apply it on their own.
7. The Wisdom of Economy. Living life simply, investment in people, continuity of production, and being goal oriented are signs of economizing in the life of a director. There is always in you a desire to create change and bring out the best. It is forever wise to save money and economize. As a director, you will always receive budget proposals from set designers, costume designers, props and make up artists. if you will spend all your coins while there are recyclable resources, you are wasting. There is wisdom in economy.
8. The Virtue of Patience. It is a fact in theater that there are slow learners in acting. People may not easily comprehend your mindset and you have to wait until stubborn actors relearn and unlearn bad habits they practiced in stage acting. Your creative team may accept your concepts as unclear no matter how succinct they may be. You need to wait the right time. My classmate Al, frequently reminds me when I am upset that ---Patience is a Virtue. I, starting then, tried to live up with that principle up to now and thanks to Al I never forget that Patience is a virtue.
9. The Improvement of Talent. Talent is your primordial asset. The sad truth is, talent is not enough. A person who is relying on talent alone is far from triumph. I tell you, your strength is composed of three elements; knowledge, skills, and talent. Talent is just an element of strength. Now, to be successful you need to have the four elements; strength, commitment, discipline, and divine assistance. How can Talent be equal to success when it just an element of strength which is only an element of success? That is fundamentals of logic. Improve your talent.
10. The Joy of Originating. I hate copy-cuts. Cats Paul not cutsWe must learn to make an original out of our craft. God created us individually as unique persons. We must have the responsibility to be original ourselves.
Introduction
Many post modern critics Really? Who? projected that theatre arts is a vehicle that will soon decline and die. But recent studies shows that more and more people are still going to Arts and Studio Centers to watch live acting performances on stage.
I am more of a theater person than film. So I love watching stage play in all forms whether experimental, arena type or studios. Once, I talked to a couple, both friend of mine, and asked how they spend Saturdays together. The man answered that he likes dating with his fiance before or after watching a play. He use to do it so that they will have something to talk about throughout the meal. The girl nodded that she likes to watch a play now rather than go to movie houses.
The same is true to people who annually anticipates the Cinemalaya Festival. More and more people are getting tired of mainstream and traditional forms of video entertainment. Isn't video by definition a form of technology and therefore not really traditional? Reality Shows captured the hearts of viewers tired of cinematic traditions, soap operas and scripted TV series.
In fact, theatre arts did not die for the last nine years of the new millennium. Malls, Movies, Music bars, and Modern gadgets {four M's} did not stop the proliferation of Performing Arts. As Ma'am Nikki told us then it became an infectious disease to all college students as an avenue to express the identity of their generation (really, I said this? Thanks for remembering.). Which for me is true, Communication Arts 101 will remind us of the missions of mass media as a whole;
1. To inform and eventually educate the populace.
2. To entertain avid audiences so as to combat boredom and anxiety.
3. To solicit, mold, and frame public opinion for expansion of cultural identity.
4. To increase marketing domains through mediated sales, telemarketing, TV and Radio promotions, advertisements, and publicity. and;
5. To inspire/ to spread optimism/ to keep fire of hope alive and uplift spiritual plethora.
All of these are visibly true to theatre arts. And as long as stage plays fulfill these missions, it will remain a part of communications media as one of her vehicle.
More and more are interested to be apart of their college theater guilds. I am very thankful to theater for if not for her I will never establish self-reliance, leadership skills and networking strategies. Theatre people from Saint Benilde, from UPLB, form Lyceum and Teatro Tomasino. there was one shining position in theatre that we always want to be an apprentice during our college days.... that of the Director.
Who is a Stage Director?
I have to reconcile the identity of Greek standardized director and a contemporary directors of the Philippine theater. We certainly have to clarify the identity of a stage director so we can distinguish him from a film and TV director. My seven years of practicing where? again, be clear about your parameters taught me that there are five requisites to be met so that a director be very genuine on stage. A director must be a storyteller, a theater artist, a problem solver, a coach, and a leader.
Lack of these five will diminish the capacity of the stage director to prove himself different from a TV and film director. Be clear - this is your opinion. Some people would disagree with you. Let us examine each identities in a very concise manner.
1. Theater Artist---A director is first of all a thespian. A person who understands theater in a deeper sense than any other. He must be somebody who loves theater that much and be capable to creatively and resourcefully exhaust all potentialities in theater to produce the most aesthetic fruit possible. A person who assumes the role of a director and ignorant of theatrical systems is a contradiction, a lie. Ignorance of theater and stage facilities will destroy even the versatility of his actors. I agree completely. He must be able to identify the roles of his crew and the probable blocking necessary for the script.
2. Storyteller/ Communicator---A director is at all times a communicator. he must be able to relay a broad idea to his cast and crew. he must be keen in studying the script and how the audiences and theater goers will like it. He should prioritize how he will tell a story to the audiences. Hence, the director should communicate well. Clear in his ideas, the director can avoid ambiguity on stage rehearsals by dealing properly with actors and actresses. A director must possess a very audible voice and comprehensible diction to be heard and understood. Again, we are in agreement . No doubt, the three men mentioned above are men with beautiful voices. Direk Joel, Direk Lauren, and Sir Chris are all directors in posture, knowledge and personalities. Even their voices are evidences of their profession.
3. Problem Solver---An efficient director anticipates day to day problem in rehearsals. It is a fact of life. A production lives along with smiles and sufferings. However, a director can lighten the burdens of a production rehearsal by studying the weaknesses of his people. Theater problems are never more painful than to a director. That is why a director is courageous to cross the sea of adventures and be refined by enduring the fire of topsy-turvy pre-production weeks. A director loves challenges in his career and that is the only way he can grow in his craft. Yes!
4. Understanding Coach---One thing I have observed in my years in theater is that directors cannot escape being a teacher. He is always an instructor. A coach who can be relied by his actors when it comes to artistic improvement. A coach is always there to support, to guide, and to believe. It is our job to correct and encourage the actors. Again, communication plays a vital role in this process of coaching. I agree but some would disagree.
The actors should learn to listen to the director and vice versa. Once I start working with my actors, I always make it a point that they will learn basic essentials of my production method. I start with a workshop and special acting class. I always ensure tat a person learns something during our encounter. A failure on my part if I don't teach a dog new tricks. We are the coach of the production team.
5. Leader---the director stands as the executive artistic facilitator of any production on stage. His absence signifies ruin. Hence, organization is expected when there is a director. Directing is leading. To lead people means to be first in showing them direction. Without direction people scatters. Without a leader the world is astray. His mind becomes the first mind of all. His thinking never stops from the first day of rehearsal up to the TDR. The only difference of a stage director to a conductor {aside from spelling of course} is that he cannot be there on stage when his men perform. He is left alone after the TDR. A director should lead by heart, lead using his head, and lead thru his hands.
The Classic Dramatic Principles
Now I'd like to propose that each directors of stage, to be efficient, should always evaluate if they accomplish and exercise these ten stage directing principles.
1. The Value of Time. Never shall a director forget the fixed motion of theater timetable. Make tardiness a curse and learn to be professional by being on time. Always allow yourself to work in a company with ample time. If you finish everything at the right time you will never know how much comfort you can enjoy with more people who loves to be with you at the right time too.
2. The Success of Perseverance. Only perseverance can teach you not to give up easily. When you persevere you don't just teach yourself to be persistent, you teach the world that you are not cheap. When you already did your best and nothing happened, that is the only time you can quit. People who continue to work amidst the hardships of life are the only people worthy of success.
3. The Dignity of Labor. Remember, no work is too dirty that you will refuse it and no idleness is so clean that can take you to new heights. A director should give his people time to work and he himself should try t work even for a menial task. He is never entitled to degrade any crew or production aid. Try to ask the company utilities who is the director they love. They will remember the director who helped them arrange the chairs, wash dishes and segregate garbage. Funny but true.
4. The Worth of Character. Your character safeguards your leadership. There was a cliche that states "Leadership is the combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy." It only shows that character is the labyrinth of leadership. Your good character builds the goodness or badness that your actors will witness. Look at the people who studied a lot in administration but are now in disastrous condition, they lacked character.
5. The Power of Kindness. I had a hard time balancing kindness and stiffness. Sometimes you really have to be strict. There are times you need to be a disciplinarian but kindness should outrun your despotism. Sir Chris Millado use to say that a director must "be loved" rather than "be feared" at all times.Iifyou are feared by actors, you will be able to get what you want but no amount of words can describe the resentment your robot-like men stored in their hearts. Be a kind director!
6. The Influence of Example. The only way for you to spread influence is by living it out. Example is the basic way we can teach implicitly. Teaching by example is easy and succinct. You are the model of your thespians. 70% of who they are and they will be on stage is of your making. You cannot force your principle t anyone, only when they find it in your example and learn the effectiveness of this concept will they apply it on their own.
7. The Wisdom of Economy. Living life simply, investment in people, continuity of production, and being goal oriented are signs of economizing in the life of a director. There is always in you a desire to create change and bring out the best. It is forever wise to save money and economize. As a director, you will always receive budget proposals from set designers, costume designers, props and make up artists. if you will spend all your coins while there are recyclable resources, you are wasting. There is wisdom in economy.
8. The Virtue of Patience. It is a fact in theater that there are slow learners in acting. People may not easily comprehend your mindset and you have to wait until stubborn actors relearn and unlearn bad habits they practiced in stage acting. Your creative team may accept your concepts as unclear no matter how succinct they may be. You need to wait the right time. My classmate Al, frequently reminds me when I am upset that ---Patience is a Virtue. I, starting then, tried to live up with that principle up to now and thanks to Al I never forget that Patience is a virtue.
9. The Improvement of Talent. Talent is your primordial asset. The sad truth is, talent is not enough. A person who is relying on talent alone is far from triumph. I tell you, your strength is composed of three elements; knowledge, skills, and talent. Talent is just an element of strength. Now, to be successful you need to have the four elements; strength, commitment, discipline, and divine assistance. How can Talent be equal to success when it just an element of strength which is only an element of success? That is fundamentals of logic. Improve your talent.
10. The Joy of Originating. I hate copy-cuts. Cats Paul not cutsWe must learn to make an original out of our craft. God created us individually as unique persons. We must have the responsibility to be original ourselves.
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So today Mom/ Ma'am Nikki, on your special day we want to join Ruth in greeting you a very Happy Mother's Day from the bottom of our hearts. Well I am sure I am not a brother of Ruth but still a son of yours. Stay as you are, a great Mom for Ruth and a wonderful inspiration for PAD practicumers.
Happy Mother's Day!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Maternal
This is how hard you'll get when you have a lot of mothers. Of course, the best is my Mom... but I can't help but accept that I also have a lot of moms. Kailangan mo i-greet lahat ng happy Mothers Day at kailangang present ka sa house, kailangan may regalo ka... hay... Grabe talaga ang pagmamahal ng mga nanay. Hindi bale, isang araw lang naman kumpara sa mga pagmamahal na ibinubuhos nila sa atin taon taon non-stop talaga di ba?
Kaya to All Mothers Out There...
a very
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to you all!!!!!!!!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Share
Last Wednesday, I was in Manila. I had to stay until highnoon so I entered the mall for lunch. Sa KFC ako nagtanghalian and doon ko natutunan ang "Share a Seat Formula" nila. Bakit nga ba tayo lagi natutuwa kumain sa mga fast food na gaya nito? It is because they practice the share a seat formula and I would like to share it to you. Since uso naman talaga ngayon ang salitang share.
Makaktulong rin ito sa mga naguumpisa ng business na may kinalaman sa restaurant or kainan. Well, maybe employees need to be more accommodating nowadays otherwise iiwan talaga ng customer ang business niyo. Customers are becoming more demanding di ba? Totoo yan kaya let's study together the Share a Seat formula.
S--- Smile and Greet
Ito ang unang una mong mapapnsin sa lahat ng nasa KFC, kahit manager ngingitian ka. O ako lang kasi funny ako. Well kung may hindi nangiti siguro parang kasing dalang naman ng uwak yun. Importante sa business ang napapasaya mo ang customer unang meet pa alng. Pagpasok pa lang nila, kailangan maihatid mo na kaagad sa kanila yung aura of pleasantness.
H--- Help the Customer find a table
Napaimportante na hindi mo iiwan ang customer but kailangan tulungan mo sila maghanap ng upuan lalo na kung talagang maramihan ang tao. Gaya nung graduation days, laging ang daming nakain sa North Edsa, kaya naman kailangan talaga na hindi mo hahayaang magkabangga bangga ang customer habang dala ang trey niya.
A--- Approach the nearest seat that is vacant
Una mong hanapin yung table na talagang walang laman, dapat napunasan na yun. Hindi dapat makita na naandun pa yung mumo ng huling kumain kasi baka mawalan ng gana yung susunod.
R--- Request for a seat
Kapag nakita mo yung isang table at may nakaupo tapos may bakante, dapat tanungin mo yung nakaupo kung ok lang na maupo yung customer. Dapat maging gentle ka sa pag tatanong kasi maramingtao ang sagot "May nakupo!" parang galit. Ok lang.
E--- Express Appreciation
Sakaling pumayag ang customer na paupuin yung bagong customer. Dapat naman magpasalamat yung waiter or yung isa sa mga employee.
Let's all share. Bilang custoemr makakatulong tayo kung handa rin tayo magpaupo ng ibang nangangailangan kasi ganun din naman ang expectation natin sa iba.
Enjoy your Meal!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Comparison
Why do they always need to compare love with drugs? Just last year, dalawa sa pinakakilalang singer-party goer ang nagrelease ng kantang nagpatanyag sa kanila sa buong mundo. Leighton Meester together with Cobra Starship brought us "Good Girls Go Bad" habang si Ke$ha naman ang kumanta ng "Tik Tok" na talagang mapapsayaw ka sa groovy rhythm.
This time may magkasabay silang release na kanta at parehong nakakakuha ng spot sa Top 100 Charts. Si Ke$ha with "Your Love is My Drug" at "Your Love's a Drug" by Leighton Meester. Oh di ba, kakalito? Pero pareho silangmagaling at seksi {siguro}.
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With all the good things happening with Justin Bieber except for the concert nahindi natuloy sa Australia at naging cause ng frenzy, hindi talaga paaawat ang batang ito sa pagiging next to Mozart. Single after single ang pinasisikat niya and that is what Mozart did when he was that young. Absolutely hindi makakasulat ng symphony si Bieber pero ok naman ang mga pasikat na ginagawa niya.
Recent news about him is that he doesn't know the word German kahit na maraming German Shepherd sa kanila. In a recent interview with Bieber, tinanong siya kung mahilig nga ba ang mga German sa Basketball sa palagay niya at sinabi niya "Pardon, ..." hindi niya alam yung German. Isipin mo yun?
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In some variety shows marami na ang gumagawa ng mga duets pero magkaibang kanta ang kinakanta nila. Mahirap yun kasi baka mawala ka kapag hindi mo alam yung lyrics nung kanta mo at mas familiar ka sa kinakanta ng partner mo. Pero maganda kapag nagawan ng tamang tiyempo. I commend that act. I think it is the in thing now for singing performances.
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Natanggal na si Aaron Kelly from the American Idol Top 5. Four na lang sila ngayon at hindi ko akalain na si Casey ay makakapasok pa after what he did last night with his performance. Ok naman. I think he is the Jason Castro of this batch kasi ganun ganun din yung case dati. Apat ang natira with one girl. At yung charisma niya pang Jason Castro talaga. Well kung di siya manalo ok pa rin kasi sumikat naman si Jason Castro kahit top 4 lang siya.
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