BUHAY AKTOR: Bibo in Harold Pinter's THE LOVER

The aim of any actor is the same: to tell the truth in such a way that people will be entertained, uplifted and surprised.

I was overwhelmed to have been contacted by the graduating class of BA Theater Arts for their UP Dulaang Laboratoryo Play under Dr. Alexander Cortez as their professor.

The piece? A Harold Pinter Masterpiece no less, The LOVER.

As an aspiring actor,  experience may be is one of your most valuable assets. So I  always say YES, especially if I know this will definitely develop my craft.

These are the following things I've learned in theater acting that I wish to impart for starting actors.

1. Listen before anything else.

2. Read the text over and over again, and make sure you know the lines.

3. Never show off. You can sometimes come to a particular point in a show and think, "I'm really good in this bit." Never, ever think that.

4. Never know more than your character knows. I'm not talking about research; I mean that when you are performing, you must stay inside the truth of your character. Don't signpost to an audience what they should be thinking.

5. The most important thing is to breathe. If you stop breathing properly, you get a sore throat. And if you stop breathing, you die. Lol. 

Sharing with you the photos from my last stage performance.

UP Dulaang Laboratoryo
Director: Joy Cerro
Co Actor: Rain Gutierrez
at the Teatro Hermogenes Ylagan, FC UP Diliman

The Poster

I fell in love with my character Richard the moment the script was handed to me.

 

The Publicity Photo released on Social Media

I was very excited, I was already at the campus 5 hours prior to the play.

PHOTOS BY TRIXIE DAUZ

With my Director Joy Cerro and co-actor Rain Gutierrez and the Theater Adviser Dr. Alex Cortez

Of course, some of my best of friends were there to show support and love

Lastly, I guess the best advice I can give which sometimes I am misunderstood, aheeem, is to People-watch, it's the best way to develop a character. When you're walking down the street, or sitting on a bus, in a cafe or doctor's surgery – don't close yourself off.

Until our next adventure,

Bibo

BUHAY AKTOR: Babae Po Ako

Yes, I joined last year's Summer Workshop of Philippine Stagers Foundation. And I consider it as one of the highlights of my summer last year. Even if you have already booked many gigs and projects, being new in this industry, you just keep on honing your craft, you just have to.

After attending almost 4 months of workshop for Teatro Expedicion under Director Joey Paras, and 3 mos under Direk Anne Villegas for Light of Life, I knew I wanted some more learning. And I am thankful for it's Director, Atty. Vince Tanada for welcoming me in their home for this month-long workshop. 


Sharing with you one of the output of the workshop. The immersion Play "Babae po Ako" written by Atty. Vince Tanada and Jordan Ladre with JV Cruz and Cherry Bagtas as our Directors. This play went on to win the Best Play and I bagged the Best Actor award.

Creative Director: Atty. Vince Tanada
Photo Courtesy of Patricia "Trixie" Dauz

DREAM. BELIEVE. CREATE. SUCCEED

And Always Remember to not let your Dreams just be Dreams.

For the Believers!!!

Until our next adventure,

Bibo

Haler Baler

PROLOGUE aka "The Joy of Joyride Experience"

My brother Mike and I meet up at McDonald's Mindanao Avenue first to meet up with my Highschool classmates for our adventure last holy week. We needed to leave before midnight to avoid the traffic jam as everyone will be heading up north for a long weekend holiday (well, mostly: Baguio. Sagada. Ilocos. Pangasinan and so much more are just some few known destinations during Summer and all of these are at the Northern Part of Luzon). So much about the back story, I am here to talk about my Baler Experience anyway.

Surfin is what first comes to mind when you hear the word BALER. But there is more to that, that this place on earth has to offer.

Welcome to Baler, our home for the next 3 days. The most romantic place, the most fascinating place, and our Holy Week Adventure Begins now.

1st STOP: The Balete Eco-Park

During our visit, we were able to chance upon the Millennium Tree, also known as the “Balete Tree”, located in Brgy Quirino, Ma. Aurora, which is perhaps the largest and oldest Balete tree in Asia. It is estimated to be 600+ years old and is recognized by international scientists and media.It looks scary at first glance, but the tour guide was very funny, he's been doing a lot of camera tricks so it ease our fears. Hahaha


Next: The Mother Falls

This tour requires trekking to reach the mother falls. Mother falls is the largest falls in Aurora. We have a tour guide with us and we just followed the river and in the middle of the forest stood the majestic waterfalls. It was heaven. We jumped right off even if the water is extremely cold.

ERMITA HILL

Accordingly, a huge tsunami washed away the entire town of Baler back in December 1735. It almost wiped out the entire town, as the tsunami devoured thousands of lives, except for 7 families who found their way on top of Ermita Hill to seek survival thereby saving themselves from the wrath of the tsunami. These statues, located at the bottom of the hill, honor the families who survived.

Ermita Hill  gives a perfect top view as to how beautiful Baler is. Here doing our Team Baler Photo ops and the magnificent 360 degree view of Baler is our backdrop.

ANIAO Islets

Sup brother? Ano pinaglalaban natin.

Probably one of the highlights of this trip. A good place for photoshoots, having my brother on this trip who is also an actor is an advantage because I have a partner in crime for photo ops session. We took limitless photos. Visuals are really appealing.

HANGING BRIDGE OVER BALER WATER

Its good to learn that this is one of the longest hanging by bridge in country?

Railing is strong with good foundation, have adequate space and could accommodate many tourist at one time. For experience you need to cross the bridge to experience how it feels to walk and cross a hanging bridge. It will only take you a few minutes and proceed to your next destination.

SABANG SURF BEACH

Not your Boracay white beach, but the sand never get hot and the water is so nice to be in. Add the waves where everyone can play in... or SURF in... 

This one’s a no-brainer. You can’t visit Baler and not try surfing! All of us (10) had so much fun with the waves and water was just too much; quite a challenge and something different to do that you can't do in other beach... 

Plus, they made surfing easy. For 350 per hour, the instructors were so kind and patient to teach you how to surf properly.

If you love beaches, Sabang will not let you down with its vibrant and powerful wave.

CLINCHER

At the end of the long day full of activities, we treat ourselves with a funny dining experience. BOODLE FIGHT!!! We did all the cooking, buying fresh sea food at the public market, an extra added enjoyment for our getaway.

WE Will Definitely Go back BALER

I like everything about you. The smell of the earth is so pure. The cold water at Mother Falls and how I wanted to swim a little longer even if I was already shivering, the touch of the waves and its sounds whenever it crashes the shore is very relaxing, the sound of laughter from friends i get to spend the entire holy week with, the serenity of the lake, and the feeling of being full alive.

Go for it now. The future is never promised to anyone anyway. 

Until then,

Bibo

BUHAY AKTOR: Bibo in Chicken

Chicken
A film by Real Florido
Cinemalaya Film Institute



"Are you free tomorrow?" was the text I got from Real Florido, it was the same message I also received in Facebook messenger. I, for some reason just said yes. And he asked me if I have a camouflage pants and a gray shirt. Then I said Yes again. So he told me to be at Firestarter Office at 7:00 am and we'd go to Binangonan Rizal for a shoot.

This Director is the one that gave me an opportunity to act in a full length movie when I was starting to do workshop in acting. 

You may visit my previous post on my 1st ko si 3rd experience on these links:

My 1st ko si3rd experience

The Gala


I will be doing a special project for Cinemalaya 2015 where he is part of the Film Institute.

It is a great feeling to be part of this festival because it is the most patronized Independent Film Festival in the country.

Cinemalaya has always been a platform for aspiring actors, directors, cinematographers, and script writers to showcase their talents as well as to express their own creativity by producing such remarkable movies which I've been a witness years ago when it started. So here I am ready for my shoot.

By 6:00am I was already at the office waiting for the crew as we will travel to Binangonan for the shoot. 

My look for this film. A post-war surviving soldier.

with our Make-up Artist Rodolfo Sitchon

And some of the BTS photos which I have long shared on my Instagram and Facebook page.

After 2 days of Shooting, it's a wrap for us.

The Official Poster of Chicken

During the Gala Presentation of Chicken at the CCP

with our director Real Florido and my co-actor RJ Agustin

with my ever supportive friends

with GMA-7's VP for Entertainment Ma'am Lilybeth Rasonable

with my brother who's always been there for every project.

Thanks to my friends who came to support this film.

with Cinemalaya Institute President Laurice Guillen at the Gala night.

Cinemalaya doesn’t only focus on full-length films but also gives importance to the short features.
The Cinemalaya shorts provide great, witty and oftentimes humorous stories that are unusual, exceptional and sometimes eccentric all under 20 minutes. This year the panel asked the students of Film Institute to provide short feature in Black and white, with no speaking lines. And that's quite of a challenge for a filmmaker.

We all have to support Philippine Cinema, I choose to be part of this industry because I have so much faith in the artistry of Pinoys. I am hoping though that I may be able to participate this year's festival.So to any Directors and Producers out there, aheeemmmm. Hahaha

Until then,
Bibo 

 

YES I am ALIVE

Going back to blogging after a long break can be very difficult.

It is after 6 months that I am logging in to my blog.

Yes, I went away for an extended holiday. Yes, I went with the full intention of logging in as soon as I am in front of my computer. Sadly it didn’t happen for me like that, nothing like that at all. I've been used to doing Facebook and Instagram and putting lengthy words can be tedious at times. In short, I got lazy. I am sorry.

And YES, I am inlove. So I give all my time to the person I am with because, I am, well- uhmmm, norturing a baby relationship. Yes, the past few months have been truly wonderful and frankly just what I needed. It was good for me to step back and slow down, to savor sunny and sweet moments with the love of my life, attended casting calls, did some films, mostly shorts, had an AVPs with some corporations, celebrated Christmas and New Year and Valentines Day, hahahaha but the truth is that I missed this place, and all of you. And I know that my relationship is going to last a lifetime anyway so here I am unapologetic and jumping into Blogging again. 

Hello 2016, I am again dusting off my favorite spot in the cyber world, THE BiboBayona.Blogspot.com page. 

Today is a big day. I am on my way to Makati for  my rehearsals and fitting for the first commercial I booked this year. Shoot will be on Monday and Wednesday, so I think that everything is smooth sailing I figure  this is the perfect point to return here, to this spot I love to do this thing I love. It’s high time to tell more small stories about self and world, to unpack and honor the sweetness and struggle at the heart of my life, to ask big, unwieldy questions that seem urgent and interesting and meaningful somehow, to share simple and profound things I love and admire.

I still have to come up with a plan as to how I can regularly update my site, maybe I should schedule my post like M-W-F or T-TH-S,  but this is what make me being me, the unpredictability, and unfrequency, feels so right. 

But if you want to know more stuff about me, my Instagram is also public, follow me there: www.instagram.com/bibobayona, where I tend to eschew limits and go overboard and post tons.

Anyway, I’m genuinely thrilled to be back to blogging and and there is so much to smile about. And write about.  So that’s just what I’ll do.

Happy March everyone.

Until then,

Bibo