Jake Macapagal likes books about acting

I first met the consummate actor Jake Macapagal in the food hall of the cast and crew of Miss Saigon in Stuttgart, Germany. China Cojuangco had a break during her Kamiseta shoot in Paris and we decided to visit Raul Mitra who was in the cast.

I remember thinking Jake had a twinkle in his eye as he was introduced to us. He had a “joie de vivre” about him. He came back to Manila and I saw him again as Angel in the Atlantis production of Rent. From then on I have seen him in many roles, so when I heard a little film he starred in won a Sundance Festival Audience Award, I was certain Jake had something to do with it.

The movie is called Metro Manila and he is the lead character. The tense thriller was directed by this British director Sean Ellis which he co-produced with STAR columnist Celine Lopez. The movie opens on Oct. 9. Please support it.

During a private screening at the SM North of this special film, I asked Jake to share his favorite books:

1. In-Depth Acting by Dee Cannon. “Dee directed the production of Webber’s Aspects of Love produced by New Voice Company in Singapore and I was fortunate to workshop the piece with her as an actor. I am so thrilled she came up with a handy book on the techniques that filters out the complexities of the system and offers a hands-on approach for actors.”

2. The Power of the Actor by Ivana Chubbuck. “Hollywood’s favorite acting coach shares her 12-step acting technique that will take you from script to a living, breathing dynamic character. Ask Halle Berry when she played Leticia in the movie Monster’s Ball.”

3. Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. “Kristof and WuDunn turn stories of oppression into opportunities for women worldwide. The book tackles poverty, disease and conflict in today’s society. Very powerful and moving. My friend Emily introduced this book to me.”

4. One Day My Soul Just Opened Up by Iyanla Vanzant. “When I started discovering my own voice this book was timely because I was ready.”

5. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. “When I want to reflect on life and certain consequences. My all-time favorite.”

6. Acting In Film by Michael Caine. “The actor’s take on moviemaking. A great teacher with real clear-cut lessons that every actor could learn from.”

7. The Secret Rapture and Other Plays by David Hare. “I pick up this book every time I travel. His unique talent for playwriting is deeply serious and incredibly funny.”

8. Actions: The Actors’ Thesaurus by Marina Caldarone and Maggie Lloyd Williams. “Recommended by NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in Sydney, this gem of a book introduces ‘actioning’ and ‘action verbs.’ I recommend this to my students.”

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“The Reading Club” recommends The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows available in PowerBooks and National Bookstore.

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