A Glimpse of the Sparkle Prime Workshop

I've had my bout with acting back when I was a kid. During those years, my workshops were done privately and the system was pretty much unscientific, it was mostly putting ourselves in scenes. You could say it was something I'd do on occasion... and since I wasn't doing roles anymore I was so excited I'd get to experience the "Sparkle Acting and Empowerment Workshop" through the partnership of Philippine Entertainment Bloggers Association (PEBA) and Sparkle GMA Artist Center which happened a few days ago.

This was going to be conducted by THE Ana Feleo (Certified on Eric Morris System) whom I've had the opportunity to interview in the past (especially during the pandemic). This was also the first time I'm meeting her (in a physical sense), so I was quite excited about that when we arrived at the rehearsal studios. To tell you honestly, I've been overthinking a lot about this event and what I think I'd be learning from the workshop. Participants in our group were from different blogs and social channels. With Sparkle they had artists Jennifer Maravilla, Mitzi Josh, Zonia Mejia, Lauren King, Aidan Veneracion and Bruce Roeland whom all had previous experience of doing workshops under Ms. Ana Feleo.

After pleasantries, Ms. Ana took us to a plethora of exercises that would help us be more open about ourselves, our emotions, and feel what's possible. Ours was like a teaser of what she's been doing for 3-day workshops, so we get a gist of what artists usually do. This I'd say made me feel like I'd be more susceptible of absorbing what she taught on the red mat. Mind you, tons of Sparkle and GMA actors have gone through a lot in the same place, and if the mat could talk it'll probably tell a lot about their life, their pain and agony as it's been primarily used for motivation on scenes. They'd learn how to control how much of it will be used when they need to on projects, which makes sense with the nature of their work.

Knowing how huge of a roadmap this is for people undergoing the same training made me realize how it could impact their skills, especially for new actors. Since this was also an empowerment process, we learned how to communicate, express ourselves with no inhibitions, which would help us navigate the things we plan to do with our organization. It's not only leadership, but how we would be able to put our points across when we meet people. It's a skill we all have to work on and it was so nice we get to touch on that. There were a lot of things that we got to experience during the short time we spent that afternoon, and we even got to know each other even more. It was different than just looking at our blogs, our different backgrounds, because we saw how we learned as people. I bet that will be beneficial for a lot of individuals, and I'm so glad they're taking these workshops all over the country. 

Here's how you can enroll in the Sparkle Prime Workshop:

I'd like to take this bit to thank the men and women of Sparkle Artist Center, Ms. Jenny Donato the Sparkle AVP for Talent Recruitment and Development (who was quite fun to talk to on the sidelines!), Ms. Rochelle Tuazon-Chavez the Sparkle Senior Manager for PR, Events and Digital , and good guy Mr. Chester Singian (who I think is also going to be an artist soon!). Also, to the Sparkle artists Jennifer Maravilla, Mitzi Josh, Zonia Mejia, Lauren King, Aidan Veneracion and Bruce Roeland who were all so kind and game during the session. We also got to know you a little bit during the exercises that Ms. Ana executed that afternoon.

I'd also like to personally thank Ms. Ana Feleo who braved through her migraine just to make sure we had an unforgettable experience during the workshop, I really learned a lot in such a short time. I get it why the artists you previously worked with talk so highly of you. Thank you for being there to help us all throughout the workshop!

If you wish to join, just get in touch with them via the art card we added above. It'll change the way you think about actors, and you'll learn a lot about the craft.

STAR MAGIC WORKSHOPS Does Hybrid Sessions at TORONTO CANADA

Star Magic Virtual Workshops has started during the pandemic and has been very successful. It has come to cross borders and now at AMP Studios in Toronto Canada. Direk Rahyan Carlos has been teaching the Chubbuck technique and has been certified to do so, but now they're doing it both virtually and face to face in the northern american country.

Right now, they're doing acting, voice and dance workshops and this year, they've managed to do one last August which will have a culminating activity this December 16th.

Direk Rahyan says "We are so excited to be here. We've been doing this for 2 years and now, we're doing this in the AMP Studios Canada to teach the technique here too. My students here have been family, thank you also to Liza and Ice Seguerra for being here with me. They are very close to my heart. The one we're giving in Canada is what we are giving our artists in Star Magic. What we do with our own actors will be the same, the same premier Chubbuck technique we are giving them, so our actors use pain as fuel for acting. I met them in 2019 and did it online instead of F2F, now we are opening it in Canada. We are also doing this in other countries, and the training involves how to express themselves, to help them become the person they want to be. It's just a bonus if they become artists in the Philippines. In the past 2 years, I have already trusted them about the process, I give my students pointers on ethics for actors. It follows on becoming a better actor, it is important that it starts from there. You are just as good as your last work. We always train wherever we are, talent will be chaos without discipline, and that's what started this all in AMP Studios Canada."

Liza Dino Seguerra says "I look forward to watch your acting showcase, this experience is probably life changing for you as much as it is for me. Thank you for supporting Star Magic to globalize, expanding our industry. We have so much talent in the country, if it weren't for Star Magic I wouldn't have learned the Ivana Chubbuck technique. I am so honored to be part of the showcase, thank you for inviting me here. Thank you so much for your hospitality, it doesn't even feel like work."

Ice Seguerra says "Like what Liza said, training is important. I wouldn't be a singer if I didn't do that, I will be part of your recital, I really can't wait to be on stage with you guys."

 

AMP Studios Canada and Star Magic Workshops can be joined via website (https://amp-ed.com/), Faceboook and IG account. Just fill up the form and do the orientation. It's the same as in the Philippines and do it by batch. It ends in a recital so it'll be a while if you get in. They are also doing it in EST, more convenient for those in North America or closer locations. The pre requisite is the heart and time to do it. You don't have to have experience in acting, it turns passionate people into actors with the Chubbuck technique. If you have all those, this is perfect for you.

You can get in touch with them via facebook.com/Starmagicworkshops or their Instagram account @abscbnstarmagicworkshops, You can also directly inquire via facebook.com/Ampstudioscanada or at @ampstudios_canada IG account if you want to join the class.

All Nurse Cast Intoduced: SIGLO NG KALINGA (The Life of Anastacia Giron Tupas)

Last month, a call for auditions was announced by the production and the Philippine Nurses Association for the film "SIGLO NG KALINGA". This is about the life of Anastacia Giron Tupas set in three acts. In an unconventional move, they wanted to have the cast to be all NURSES. This weekend, they just announced an ensemble cast who would tell the story of the honorable lady.

Dr. Carl Balita was right. If you think about it, casting nurses in the film would entail training them because not all are professional actors. He believes in them that much, with their talent, and proved he could find the right people for the project. With the help of Archie Del Mundo who wrote and is line producing this film, they presented these individuals to the press last week.

Now it can be told, the cast includes Abbey Romero, Denmark Mismanos, Jewell Alano, Lorrich Del Tantoco, Joel Rey Carcasano, Jerico Roque, Dre Canaria, Bambi Rojas, VJ Mendoza, Tads Obach, Ms. Irma Bustamante and Ms. Lydia Palaypay. The title role of Anna Formantes went to Joy Ras who also was extremely emotional that afternoon. She mentions "Nurses are like actors too, we do our jobs everyday and try not to show much emotions especially when we get affected when someone dies, we feel and remember patients when that happens. Our jobs as nurses in a way equate to acting experience."

VJ Mendoza will play Alfred in the film.

 

VJ Mendoza adds "When I saw how they worked in the workshops we had, I saw how intelligent they were picking up advanced acting methods being taught to us by Ms. Angeli Bayani. They follow instructions very well. Imagine, I have been doing acting projects for many years, and they are at par with what I could do!"

To tell you honestly, the line of questions asked by the press was a bit worrisome as it questioned the lack of experienced actors in the list. Dr. Carl Balita took time to explain their goal of giving the roles to equally talented Nurses that would fit what they need to do in the film and how they were able to see what huge potential lies with the new cast. All of them were also eager to showcase the lives of unsung heroes, who got recognized about their work especially during the pandemic. This is a dream for most of them, and being a part of a movement to tell the story of Anastacia Giron Tupas was truly an honor they wouldn't want to pass on.  As Dr. Carl says "They have what it takes to perform the role (the actors that we chose), this is for the love of the nurses whom I want to put on the spot!" and we certainly couldn't agree more.

 

Joy Ras and Tads Obach will play Anna Formantes and Tony, a couple

Aside from the cast, Dr. Carl Balita also told us that he's working on several nurse actors like Rocco Nacino, Kuh Ledesma, Princess Punzalan, Carol Banawa and other artists to become a part of this film (or cameo roles) once the ball starts rolling. The piece will be shown mid next year and they are still finalizing some of the details. I could feel they too were so excited about the possibility of the actors surprising us all with their performances in this project, which they would rather want to do once it shows on theaters.

A lot of people are already eager to see what Director Lemuel Lorca has up his sleeves as this will be part of the award winning work he's already done in the past few years. They have intentions of putting this into international film festivals, and I wouldn't be surprised if it picks up a laurel or more when showcased abroad. 

From what I see, Dr. Carl Balita and the Philippine Nurses Association already has a gem in their hand. If the accolades come and the viewing public gets to see this film, they deserve every bit of praise they would get from SIGLO NG KALINGA. 

Congratulations to everyone who's making this dream a reality!