Director Gina Alajar says these newcomers are so lucky because GMA-7 got acting coaches for them who guide them in interpreting their roles. “At siempre, nandiyan pa ako para alalayan sila,” she adds. “Sina Kate and Mikee, mga nagsikuha rin yan ng acting workshops to help hone their talents sa harap ng camera.”
We tell Nora and Gina that in their younger days, which includes the likes of Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel and Lorna Tolentino, there were no acting coaches and workshops and their acting prowess springs from them instinctively, like an inborn talent. So these younger stars today are really more fortunate because they can resort to workshops and coaches to help them in their craft.
“Totoo, nahahasa na sila bago pa sila isalang sa harap ng camera,” says Ate Guy. “Pero masuwerte rin kami kasi we got to work with the best directors then like Lino Brocka, Mario O’Hara, Ishmael Bernal. Malaking tulong talaga sila sa aming propesyon bilang artista.”
Even during the time of the late Lolita Rodriguez and Charito Solis, there were no acting workshops or coaches, but they still turned out to be two of the country’s best actresses. “Kaya nga, ngayon, kung sa kabila ng napakaraming acting workshops na kinuha mo at may acting coach ka pa, pero hindi mo pa rin maiarte convincingly ang role mo, magbago ka na lang ng career dahil iisa lang ang ibig sabihin niyon, tatanga-tanga ka talaga at bano kang umarte,” says one writer who’s listening to our conversation with Nora and Gina.
Incidentally, our condolences to Ate Guy for the recent passing of her sister, Tita. May she rest in peace.
