Dancing, singing, and acting in a wake
A wake, generally, should be restrained when loved ones are counting the remaining days when one has to leave forever, at least physically. Such separation creates an emotional void to the loved one. Breaking the silence and deep sadness, without profound intent, would mean a great insult to the whole grieving family.
But this is not the case of a man who left an artistic legacy to Cebu and even to the world. For decades of developing and advancing Cebuano arts to the world, the local arts bids him goodbye. Claudio "Al" Evangelio firmly believes in the Cebuano talent that for him is the best in the world.
The remaining years of degenerating health, a different picture way back in the late 80s when he invited me to be his partner in reading an excerpt of a play in one of WILA's activities. WILA was just a new literary group at that time. That was more than three decades ago. And the last time I saw him was at the Sinulog Short Film Festival 2015 where he had an entry.
Last February 8, 2014 was also the staging of his play "The Gift". Shown at the CCTN chapel where he directed Mary Rose Villacastin-Maghuyop, Emmanuel Mante, Dante Luzon, and Jugie Ponce. It was an intimate presentation with audience from the Cebu's elite group, my Humanities 1 students, members of the University of the Philippines Students Theater Arts Guild for Education and fellow actors. Such staging was actually a fund-raiser for his immediate surgery of his bleeding retina. Watching the play means as an expression of one's love, respect, admiration, support and recognition of his tireless dedication in teaching a number of performing artists that are now in the forefront of the entertainment industry.
Years ago, I got to work with Al. In the mid 1990s, he directed the play "Lingkuranan" in UP Cebu. An experimental play that tells about the man's journey in a world of temptations and challenges; the play ended with the main character's execution in an electric chair. This all-UP cast production has ignited my fervor to the world of stage acting and directing-with the greatest moral he left-value for time, and commitment.
Another project was in the 1990s, Votive Candle, a play involving some UP students. In the lead was my high school student and now a medical doctor, Jeremy Robles. It was staged at the Cebu City Rizal Library.
In 2004, I worked with Al in "Cebu goes Musicale" where he was the over-all director. It was initiated by honorable Eddie Gullas and the late Jaime Allan Rabaya was the technical director. There were 10 universities of Cebu that put up their mini productions which are excerpts from musical plays and movies. I directed U.P.'s Chicago, STC presented the Chorus Line, CIT performed Joseph the Dreamer, SWU for Calamba Joe while USC had Phantom of the Opera, and the rest of the universities.
Years before his death, Al was very much involved in developing local talents, those sectors he believes the community has neglected. In 2012, his play about and with the children had opened the eyes of his audience the need for society to value the importance of our children, raising them to become responsible citizens in their generation. Titled "Kanto Paraiso", it depicts a story of street children who found love and care in a shelter home during Christmas Eve.
His annual "Buhing Kalbaryo" which is played every year during the Lenten Season has solicited the support of the Cebu City government. He wrote and directed the play using the Cebuano language in reenacting the life and death of our Lord Jesus. As the writer and director, he is very well pleased to infuse his own interpretation into the passion play.
Visiting Al last November 6, 2015 in his wake at the Rolling Hills Memorial Chapel was no ordinary. A tribute was made to an artist who has touched so many lives. There were singing, dancing and acting from the many performing groups he has had handled including his group that toured around the world for the musical play Calamba Joe.
A description of Al would never be complete without epitomizing him as an artist who works and demands for perfection. He demands only the best from his actors, berating every now and then whenever an actor cannot deliver what he wants. He is known to have immeasurable patience to polish the potentials of his actors, recognizing their efforts to the extent of demanding no less than uncompromised attention and respect from the audience. There was even a time that after the show, he berated those from the audience who made fun and noise during the show. For weak in heart, it is easy to quit but for those who survived, their hearts are filled with gratefulness for the opportunities to be working with a sir, a kuya, a tito and a tatay rolled into one.
Al is an artist who has perfected his craft and demanded perfection from his artists. Cebuano art salutes the man of art. The size of the world is never enough, can never equal to the great stage he has shared with us. Thank you so much and farewell, Al. See you in the next production. Curtain call!
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