Two stars shine behind the cameras

If you haven’t been tuning in to ANC Channel (sister station of ABS-CBN) these days, you surely are missing a lot of exciting new shows especially the "lifestyle block" launched last Feb. 11. They are G-Force, hosted by spunky neophyte Reema Chanco; The Score by the ever-vibrant Pia Guanio; UpTown by the chic Pinky Webb; and Lifessence by the vivacious Angel Jacob, aired at 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, Tuesdays to Fridays respectively (with replays on weekends), plus Coffee Talk by the charming Cheri Mercado on weekend at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

"ANC is our country’s window to the world," said Anjie Blardony Ureta, production unit head of ANC Life. "As part of The Filipino Channel (TFC) bundle, ANC can also be seen simultaneously in key cities in Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East. Because they are inspirational, the programs on ANC Life, we believe, will definitely contribute to a positive image of the Philippines and its people, something we badly need these days."

What’s interesting is that two of the five shows are directed by stars who should be in front but prefer to be behind the cameras – Raymond Lauchengco for UpTown (patterned after Lifestyle News) and Maila Gumila for The Score (sports).

"From way back," said Raymond, "I’ve always been interested in the production aspect. When I was doing theater, ang hilig ko was lighting and design. When I was co-hosting GMA Supershow (the defunct GMA 7 Sunday variety show), I would go to the director’s booth in-between my numbers and put on a headset. As an actor, I know what the demands of ‘on-cam’ talents are; I know the process. That knowledge and experience prove to be an advantage now that I’m also directing."

Unlike Maila, Raymond doesn’t have any formal education in directing. A former child actress, Maila took a month-long special course in International Film & TV Workshop a few years ago in Rockfort, Maine (USA).

"Nakaplano na, noon pa," said Maila who started in the business at 12 in the TV show Pitik-Bulag and then in Kaluskos Musmos (produced by Imee Marcos). "I’ve always dreamed of being a director; I’m intrigued by the whole process of directing. I would ask Kaluskos director Johnny Manahan about directing techniques. Even when I act in movies or TV dramas, I observe how my directors work."

Why are they directing only now?

"I guested on Coffee Talk a few months ago," recalled Raymond, "and Anjie and I talked about my shift of interest from acting to photography and to my desire to direct. When Anjie offered me the job, I said ‘yes’ right away," added Raymond who bought a second-hand Nikon FE with his first movie paycheck (for Viva Films’ Cross My Heart). "Eventually, I want to direct commercials and, who knows, maybe a movie."

Said Maila, "Why only now? Because nobody has given me this chance."

Raymond has nothing but praises for his host, Pinky Webb.

"She’s great," gushed Raymond. "A wonderful host and a wonderful person. The nice thing about Pinky is that she can talk to anybody, whether a president or a vendor. She’s at ease with people from all walks of life."

Maila is a sports lover so the format of The Score is right up her alley.

"I was a commentator for PTV-4 during the Sydney Olympics," smiled Maila. "Pia (Guanio) also happens to be a sports lover. Anjie wanted a female director for the show, kaya swak na swak kaming dalawa ni Pia."

It doesn’t mean, however, that Raymond and Maila are turning their backs on acting. Raymond still sings, doing mostly "corporate shows." Last Valentine’s, he directed the Music Museum show of Rico Puno, Marco Sison and Nonoy Zuñiga. Maila is open to movie and TV offers.

So what’s good about being a director?

"You can go to the taping/shooting and not worry about your attire," said Raymond.

"You can go straight to the set without making a stopover at a beauty parlor," agreed Maila.

Okay, direk, lights, camera, action!

Make way for balikbayan stage actor

Filipino music fans will have the chance to watch balikbayan singer/actor Joshua Tiu, 26, when he performs with acclaimed tenor Ramon Acoymo in the dinner concert Tenor to Tenor on Feb. 28 at the fine-dining restaurant Zong at The Fort.

"This is a dream come true for me," said Joshua who’s back from studies and performances abroad for the first time in eight years. "I’ve always looked forward to performing before our kababayan."

Theater has always fascinated Joshua even as a youngster, but it was only after he completed his training as Chef at Ecole Hotelier Monterux in Switzerland that he gave bent to his personal passion.

"I’ve always wanted to do theater. But with my parents being traditional Chinese, I had to get into something stable. That’s why I studied to be a chef," he said.

After training for four years and working in various hotels in Switzerland and London, Joshua decided it was time to realize his dream. He studied at the Guildford School of Acting in England, and appeared in his first major theater break Lucky Stiff after earning his Actor’s Equity. Shortly after, he was cast as a Russian soldier in Fiddler on the Roof and then as part of the ensemble in Boys from Syracuse.

Enriching his thespian skills further, Joshua took up acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York and in between his studies appeared in a couple of shows, among them A Chorus Line where he played one of the lead actors. He went on a six-month tour for A Thousand Cranes playing Kenji, the lead character, who helped his fellow Japanese soldiers in the Battle of Hiroshima. Two musicales, Alice in Wonderland and Trail of Tears, plus two more musical revues, Ira Gershwin’s S Wonderful and One Night Only, helped boost Joshua’s budding career in musical theater.

Joshua trained in voice under two acclaimed classical masters Ross Campbell from the Royal Academy of Music in England, and Ramon Acoymo from the Philippines.

Excited over his forthcoming concert with his mentor, Joshua said that it would be his most challenging to date. "I hope he won’t critique me too much on my technique. It’s very challenging because tenor roles are more demanding," he exclaims.

Joshua realizes that there’s no such thing as enough training. "No matter how much training you have, it is simply not enough. I would like to perform and do what I love to do, that is why I will not stop training myself."

(Presented by Entertainment Agenda, Tenor to Tenor is directed by Manolet Garcia. Dinner is at 7 p.m. and show at 9 p.m. For tickets, call 889-0479 or 8890474.)

* * *

E-mail your reactions at: [email protected]