It always feels like the ‘first time’

In all the years she’s been onstage, Ima Castro has seen and done it all. She has played numerous roles — among them Kim in Miss Saigon — but each new production still excites her as if she was doing it for the first time.

For her most recent project, the stage play Piaf, Ima made so many firsts: It was her first stage play, the material is out of her comfort zone (which is musicals), and the play itself was rated PG-13 because of some sensitive scenes. Although Miss Saigon also had similar scenes, they were not as graphic as the ones in Piaf. “Very graphic kasi, so bawal sa mga bata, and actually, mas nag-worry kami sa mga matatanda,” says Ima.

Her own scenes in the play were not quite as graphic, but the play as a whole might give other actresses pause. In Ima’s case, however, there was absolutely no hesitation at all. She knew the people she would be working with. Atlantis is no fly-by-night theater company; it is one with a solid reputation, so from the beginning, she knew there was nothing to worry about. “Alam ko naman na aalagaan ako at saka hindi ka naman nila pagmumukhaing kahiya-hiya or stupid sa mata ng audience,” explains the seasoned theater actress. “And especially with (director) Bobby Garcia, he has a way of telling the story na hindi offensive. Siyempre, depende na lang din siguro sa kung anong level ‘yung pagiging offensive ng isang bagay sa mata ng tao, but that’s something you can’t really tell until there is an audience already.”

Of course, as an artist, the decision whether to accept a certain project or not is always up to her. If she feels uncomfortable, then she won’t do it. She understands if other actors find themselves unable to take on daring projects or unwilling to cross personal or religious boundaries in the name of their art. “Ultimately, it really depends on the actor, on the person, because if it is against his or her principles or religion, maybe, I would understand that definitely,” says Ima. “Ako naman, I’m very Catholic, my mom’s very conservative, so is my family, but then they understand that it is just work. And for myself naman as an actress, it’s my job to show to people, to tell the story to the audience.”

Censorship, Ima says, should be taken on a case-to-case basis. She has heard of people — direk Bobby is one — who were allowed to watch mature material when they were young (Bobby was 12 years old) “and it didn’t ruin his life.”

She realizes, of course, that it is not true for everybody, thus we must have guidelines and ratings. “I guess I would say that censorship is for people na kailangan ng guidance — kids, mga minors — para may guidance tayo. In my case, when I was a kid, I was more mature than most kids my age, so okey lang sa akin manood ng mga ganyan.” It would help, she says, if parents or an older person explained to children what they are about to see.

 So we can look forward to more stellar performances from Ima Castro, as she continues to fight for her art and enjoy the creative freedom that is hers to embrace.

Casino Filipino’s series of celebrity shows

The heat is on at Casino Filipino (CF) this summer with its CF Game Show and a series of celebrity shows nationwide for the month of April.

“The national game show, which is totally branded and packaged for our mass market, is the first of its kind for Casino Filipino,” said Bong Quintana, AVP of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) entertainment department.

The CF Game Show is currently the highlight of CF Tagaytay’s Weekend Best Deal program held once a month which includes celebrity shows and weekend buffets, among others.

He added that each casino branch will have its own set of games that may include skills challenges or quiz contests.

The CF Game Show will tour in various CF branches nationwide: April 12 (CF Olongapo), April 17 (CF Mactan), April 19 (CF Bacolod), April 20 (Lancaster Arcade), April 23 (CF Pavilion) and April 26 (CF Davao). It will culminate on April 27 at CF Cebu.

Various celebrity acts will perform in host branches during the CF Game Show tour: Duncan Ramos (CF Hyatt), Renz Verano (CF Olongapo), Chad Borja (CF Mactan), Sheryn Regis (CF Bacolod and CF Cebu), Geneva Cruz (Lancaster Arcade), Markki Stroem (CF Pavilion) and Eva Eugenio (CF Davao).

Casino Filipino also launched the Swerte Swerte Lang Pag Summer this month. The series of shows will feature some of the hottest OPM performers.

TV show host Janelle Jamer will be at CF Angeles while Desiree del Valle will entertain patrons at CF Bacolod. Rachel Alejandro is expected to wow the crowd at CF Cebu with her powerful vocals while Tirso Cruz III will perform in CF Davao.

Ciara Sotto and Geneva Cruz will make the summer sizzle in CF Heritage and CF Hyatt, respectively. Pilita Corrales will serenade her fellow Cebuanos in CF Mactan.

Brod Pete and Long Mejia are set to tickle the funny bones of patrons of CF Olongapo, while Lou Bonnevie will perform at Airport Casino Filipino. Chad Borja will be singing for the casino guests at the Iloilo Arcade.

Carlos Agassi, DJ Durano and Hansel Nichols will entertain the ladies in CF Tagaytay, Ronquillo and Binondo arcades. Top Suzara and Jimmy Bondoc will also be serenading patrons of CF Pavilion and Lancaster, respectively.

All CF game and celebrity shows will start at 9 p.m. Admission is free on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

For details, call PAGCOR Entertainment Department at 852-7760 or 852-7754.