Following his dreams

MANILA, Philippines - When he was a nursing student at the Centro Escolar University in Manila, commuting from the family residence in Bacoor, Cavite, Chromewell Cosio would pass by Roxas Boulevard and gaze up at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. And he would tell himself: Someday I am going to act there.

The dream came true for young Cosio, 26, (Chrome to friends).

Chrome joined Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the resident drama company of the CCP and soon auditioned for TP’s Actor Company, where selected young talents of the organization are trained.

The many who auditioned had to prepare a monologue, dance number and a song. Twenty-five were then short listed by Dennis Marasigan, then artistic director of TP. These were soon pared down to five, Chrome among them. They underwent a two-month workshop.

“Maganda ang proseso,” the actor recalled. There were classes on voice, acting, dance (ballet, jazz and contemporary), martial arts, script analysis, diction and viewpoints.

Roles, substantial or minor, followed through the years. In Mulan, he played Colonel Yu, the love interest of Mulan, who goes to war disguised as a man. In Insiang, he was cast as Danny, the boyfriend of Insiang who betrays her.

One of his favorite roles is that of Black Lighting, the hunky bodyguard in Kudeta!, an adaptation of a foreign play. The role called upon him to be tough and yet poetic and philosophical. Director Floy Quintos gave him some pointers but allowed him leeway to develop the role. Chrome internalized the part, mastered the kilometric monologue, and came up with a performance which got the director’s nod.

Another memorable role was in Madonna Brava ng Mindanao (based on Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage), in which the cast led by Shamaine Centenara (in an award-winning role) even went to Mindanao (including Camp Abubakar!) to get a feel of the play. This was at the invitation of the director, Nestor Horfilla, who is from Mindanao.

Chrome played a warrior, one of the sons of Madonna Brava. And the cast went on to win a Gawad Buhay Award for Best Ensemble Acting; Chrome himself was nominated for Best Actor.

Chrome is now on leave from Tanghalang Pilipino, as he wants to explore the world of films and TV: “Gusto kong mag-explore sa labas, kung anong meron sa labas. Ang natutunan ko sa TP gusto kong i-apply kung saan naman...”

He has appeared in indie films Jay, Boses and the forthcoming Dagim directed by Joaquin Valdes (Cinema One Originals at Shangri-La mall, until tomorrow, Nov. 16). On TV he was a kidnapper in May Bukas Pa and a bodyguard in the recently-concluded Idol.

He hopes for more substantial roles in movies and TV but won’t give up the theater: “Iba ang proseso, iba ang training. Mas magaling kami sa ibang actors. Hindi naman perfecto dyan. Kung minsan may makakasalubong kang negative, kaya maging positive ka na lang sa lahat nang ginagawa mo.”

Looking back, Chrome is in a pensive mood. “Maliit pa lang ako, umaarte na ako,” he notes. Kung ano ang gusto mo talaga, doon ka rin pupunta. Napatunayan ko rin ang sarili ko. I have followed my dreams.”