How direk Carlo found his ‘Golden Lady’

Last Sunday, right after The Buzz, I went to the house of Carlo and Donna Caparas in Alabang for my interview with direk Carlo which you will see on Etcetera one of these days. Carlo’s story is totally inspiring and riveting - perhaps more poignant than all the movies he has done. He is currently working on NBI Files – The Cory Quirino Kidnap which stars MMFF Best Actress Ara Mina.

As a child, Carlo lived in penury – pobre, as he would say. He was angry and hungry. He wore "insecurity" everyday from head to foot, having a father who left his family – and the young Carlo to fend for themselves. But today he looks back without bitterness, having forgiven his father and himself. He learned some of the most important lessons in life in the streets of Pasig where he roamed aimlessly – in search of a better life. After years of bone-breaking hard work, he found a better life, he found Donna Villa, the most beautiful woman in the world and most important, he found himself.

His journey is one for the movies. He fetched water for neighbors, transported people across the Ugong River in Pasig, worked as security guard for a book company where he read all the books he could then worked as an illustrator for komiks. Then he started writing novels. Pablo Gomez and Temyong Marquez gave him the breaks. And he didn’t let go – firmly holding on to every chance he had until he got to where he wanted to be.

Today in his sala, he proudly displays his drawing of numerous boys all over a tree situated near a church. If you look closer, you will notice that all the boys are the young Carlo J. with two children in one of the branches. "They are my beautiful children," he beams proudly.

Direk Carlo is a kind man. You can see it in his countenance. He knows how it is to be poor and negligible. When he shakes your hand – he grips yours with his heart. I’m glad to have talked to direk Carlo for he is now a constant reminder that "life is good" –you just have to make it happen. When he was a security guard for a book company and was devouring every book in sight, he was subconsciously preparing himself for a writing career.

His prayer is for old friends and former neighbors to have a better life. He smiles when he says he has shared his blessings with family and friends. And because of this, a street in Valle Verde (a greenland in his childhood where he used to roam and run around) is named after him. He says he is grateful.

When Carlo Caparas tells his story, it will always be from the point of view of this boy who was once angry and hungry but who now can smile – for he indeed, did well.

"Ang dami kong hirap at mali na pinagdaanan. Sa lahat ng iyan, meron akong natutunan."

Carlo’s biggest fan is Donna Villa. She gushes about the scenes in the The Cory Quirino Kidnap. She proudly talks about the opening scene (which is a classified NBI file of a girl raped by 20 men), the participation of direk Celso Ad Castillo and direk Peque Gallaga in the movie, the performances of Ara, Cory and NBI director, Gen. Reynaldo Wycoco. She feeds you a sinfully-delicious lechon, peppered with funny anecdotes about the past and present. Donna is a happy woman who is as resplendent as the magnificent collection of chandeliers that adorns her house. I’m doing a special story on this on ETC.

Why chandeliers? "Because I love lights. And this is perhaps the reason why I‘m attracted to unsolved crimes as materials for our movies, hoping that by producing them, crimes would be solved or people would be forewarned," she says.

It’s hard to say goodbye to someone as nice as Donna. Or you never say goodbye – she smiles and you say, you will see her and Carlo soon.

And you mean every word of it.

Honk! preem

Trumpets is pleased to announce the Philippine premiere of Honk! going onstage at the Meralco Theater from Aug. 1 to Sept. 14.

Honk! with music by George Stiles and book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, is a musical adaptation of the beloved fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling written by the award-winning duo of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The musical was hailed by the Olivier Awards as the Best Musical for 2000.

With catchy music and a very entertaining book, it tells the tale of Ugly who is born different from the rest of his siblings. After some misadventures he finds himself lost in the unknown and pursued by a hungry Cat whom he thinks is his friend. He flies with a pack of Geese, has tea with a domesticated Chicken and Cat, swims about a lilypod with a Bullfrog, meets the beautiful Penny and is finally reunited with his Mother as he discovers to his amazement that he is, after all a beautiful Swan. The show has been produced in many countries all over the world but the Trumpets version will boast of clever sets and colorful, innovative costumes to bring the audiences into a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience for the whole family.

Auditions for Honk! are set today at Styageworx, 5th Level, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Male and female performers are requested to prepare a showtune of their choice and bring their own music sheets.

Honk! is also available for show and block buyers. Be among the first to sign up for this beautiful show.

For inquiries, call Trumpets at 6334387, 6335010 or 636-2842.