Becoming a D.O.M.

MANILA, Philippines - The first time I learned about Spotlight Musical’s D.O.M. (Dirty Old Musical) was in an online ad that Robert Seña posted last year. It made me quite curious to want to see the play, one, because of its catchy title and, two, all of the lead actors Robert, Michael Williams, Bo Cerrudo and Nonie Buencamino are fine artists I look up to, and have worked with at some point in my active days as an entertainer.

As a talent manager/semi-retired actor, with crazy traveling schedules and working irregular hours, I actually missed watching a show from its maiden run.

Not thinking much of it, a few months later (around October), I got a call from Tricia Amper Jimenez who invited me to join the cast as one of the leads for a re-run in January for eight shows, and since Michael had committed to star in Repertory Philippines’ Vanya & Sonya & Masha & Spike, she asked if I would be okay to step in as a replacement. It took me two days to think hard about it, until I said yes.

We are now a few days before opening and I must say I don’t regret agreeing to the project. The daily rehearsals with the help of a fine young production and creative team of director/choreographer Dexter Santos, assistant choreographer Steven Viñas, writer Rody Vera, musical director Myk Salomon, plus working with the best ensemble cast KitKat, Fred Lo, Ima Castro with Shalee Vicencio, Gabriela Pangilinan and Irra Cenina are a pure bliss. It’s as if my passion has once again been ignited.

Playing my first gay role as the middle-aged Stef is not a musical comeback that I expected. But I welcome the opportunity with open arms, thankful, excited, thrilled and ready in this season of my life as a D.O.M. in D.O.M.

D.O.M. plays at the Music Museum on Jan. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28.

For tickets, call Ticketworld (891-9999), Music Museum (721-0635) and Spotlight (776-4487 or 0919-9114444).