Boy gives theater a push

MANILA, Philippines - National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) ambassador Boy Abunda expresses his desire to see more actors performing on the theatrical stage. He says local celebrities could help propel stage productions to greater heights.

“That also comes to my mind,” Boy told The STAR in his hope for TV and movie personalities flooding the theater scene someday after the presscon for NCCA’s Philippine Arts Festival. “Let’s talk about a few (Hollywood) artists. Leonardo DiCaprio would, for instance, do a huge movie and then he would go indie. Nicole Kidman, at one point, went back to theater. Daniel Radcliffe starred in the stage production of Equus. That’s why I believe it would also be possible (in the local front). I dream about seeing our actors performing on stage because we have very competent ones and if they go to the legitimate theater, you bring with them their audience and introduce theater to (more) audiences.”

In the past, Boy had already seen efforts from Dina Bonnevie, Dawn Zulueta and Eula Valdez to participate in plays. Dina starred in the 1996 local stage production of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire when she was still being managed by Backroom. Dawn was included in the cast of Larawan and Eula played the title role Zsazsa Zaturnnah to positive reviews. She, too, played Blanche DuBois in Flores Para Los Muertos, an Orlando Nadres’ adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire. KC Concepcion made her theater debut via The Little Mermaid. 

At present, Boy appreciates that local artists going into theater are increasing in number. Sam Concepcion, Ciara Sotto, Gian Magdangal, K-La Rivera, Nyoy Volante, Jackie Lou Blanco and Calvin Millado are among them.

Asked if it will also be possible for stars like Anne Curtis or Piolo Pascual to join theater, Boy answers, “I think so. Hindi ako naniniwala na hindi p’wede o hanggang dito lang.”

As NCCA Arts ambassador, Boy actively promotes various activities that are instrumental in creating awareness on Pinoy arts and culture among the youth. Last year, he went as far as Mindanao to disseminate information on Philippine arts and invite everyone to participate in the government arm’s art events.

Since the Presidential Proclamation 683 was signed in 1991, declaring February as National Arts Month, the NCCA annually spearheads Philippine Arts Festival (PAF). It is a month-long fete comprising the flagship projects of the seven committees of the NCCA’s Subcommission on the Arts namely, architecture, cinema, dance, music, literary arts, visual arts and dramatic arts.

 With this year’s theme of Tradisyon at Inobasyon, NCCA aims to further Philippine art and the Filipino’s regard for local arts and culture. NCCA will hold various exhibits, workshops, forums and performances nationwide to represent the different projects of the seven arts. Ongoing until Feb. 11 in Bacolod City is the CinemaRehiyon 4. It features screenings and forums that focus on the artistic endeavors in cinema from the region.

Among the seven arts, the dramatic arts is closest to Boy’s heart. Prior to becoming a TV personality, Boy worked as assistant stage manager at the Metropolitan Theater under the tutelage of Conching Sunico.

“I became a production assistant. I also auditioned in a play as part of the crowd, ‘yun bang sumisigaw ng ‘Mabuhay! Mabuhay!’”

Does he plan to help in bringing MET back to life?

“The last time I got involved with MET was when Kuya Germs (German Moreno) called me up because he was in-charge of that and I donated chairs. I thank Kuya Germs for his efforts to revive the MET. Nagi-guilty ako kasi di pa ko nagkakaroon ng chance na may magawang sustainable effort on how to revive the MET dahil doon kami lahat nag-umpisa. And the rehabilitation needs huge support from the people and the government.”

(For more details on PAF, call 557-5529 or visit www.ncca.gov.ph)