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By Angelo Cantera, Reporter
AS an experienced presence in the
entertainment industry, Audie Gemora believes that Filipinos are
immensely gifted. Instrumental in launching the careers of Christian
Bautista, Sam Concepcion and Karylle, to name a few, he has made it
a mission to bring out the best in the artistic ventures of other
people. With school days recently ending for a number of the
country’s restless youth populace, there is no better time to do
what he does best.
“Truly our country is blessed
with talent,” Gemora told The Manila Times. “Nothing is as
rewarding for me than to be instrumental in harnessing that
potential.”
Driven by the goal to pave the
future of great artists, Gemora is now on the second year of his
latest performing arts program. Aptly called “My Talent,” it
offers courses in Musical Theater, Street Dancing and lessons in
Voice, Guitar, Piano and Violin.
“[We were] very successful
[last year,]” said Gemora. “When I founded [my] first summer
workshop 16 years ago, it only had 20 students. My Talent started
with over 200 students last year.”
Successful in its debut, with
many of the workshops work shoppers landing jobs in TV shows,
commercials and theatrical productions, it is now slated to go one
step higher by offering two new courses. One of which is a program
dealing with pop concert performance, which Gemora will be teaching
with a select group of artists from the music industry. The other is
a program on modeling which will be handled by former philippine
Modeling Association president, Rissa Samson.
“We [also] have improved the
facilities,” Gemora said. I am especially excited that Rissa has
agreed to teach our modeling class. What makes this modeling class a
cut above competition is I will also teach the aspiring models how
to act for TV commercials. The culminating event for the class will
be an actual fashion show to be participated in by the Talent Agents
Organization. Our student models will do runway alongside some of
the country’s top models.”
A number of workshops have also
promised to make summer a little more interesting this year.
The summer arts program of the
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) billed as
“Regeneration” includes the CCP Arts Fellowship Program, the
Lifelong Learning Program and the basic summer arts workshops.
The CCP Arts Fellowship
Program is a three-week intensive schedule composed of eight master
classes and two omnibus sessions with Antonio Mabesa (theater
directing), National Artist Salvador Bernal (production design),
Teddy Hilado (technical direction), Maestro Agripino Diestro (band
conducting), Dr. Alice Guillermo (visual arts-critical
articulations), Jose Tence Ruiz (visual arts-art initiatives for
communities), Julie Lluch (visual arts-sourcing structure:
Sculpture), Roberto Feleo (visual arts-mixed media and installation)
and Gerry Alanguilan (visual arts-framing comics art).
The CCP Lifelong Learning Program
focuses on advanced and specialized courses in the arts, including
teacher-training modules. Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will be
conducting the Youth Band Clinic; Ballet Philippines will handle the
Trainor’s Training in Ballet Pedagogy and Tanghalang Pilipino will
teach Theater Rehearsal and Performance Techniques. There will also
be a course on art and animation.
The CCP Summer Arts Workshop will
offer the basic arts workshops for students and arts enthusiasts.
Tanghalang Pilipino and Ballet Philippines will conduct the
workshops.
Another institution that will be
holding workshops this summer is the Gantimpala Theater. With 32
years backing it up, and a history of physically manifesting the
work of legends, this theater promises to maintain its glorious
tradition of being a breeding ground for new theater artists.
“It is through the summer
workshop we discover new talents with the hope of nurturing them to
become professional thespian,” said Gantimpala’s Artistic
Director Tony Espejo. “In their short stay with us, we hope we
have instilled with them the discipline and professionalism we are
known for and that this workshop experience will start their love
affair with the theater.”
The Tanghalang Pilipino will also
be giving courses in theater and stage management through its 2009
Summer Theater Adventure. The workshop will be composed of classes
for children, teens and adults facilitated by some of the
country’s outstanding thespians and practitioners in the field.
The time-tested syllabus for each class is carefully designed,
reviewed and revised to provide students with the most up-to-date
theater performance techniques and enable them to develop their own
style. Each workshop will also end with a recital at the CCP—Tanghalang
Huseng Batute.
But given the dismal economic
state of the country, with businesses from different industries
fading, one might wonder the fate of such workshops. Gemora still
remains confident.
“Though during hard times
people tend to hold on to their hard earned money, parents will not
scrimp on their children. The development of a child’s innate
talent is a worthwhile investment,” Gemora declared.
“Attending summer workshops is
a great way to discover one’s God given talent, [It is a great
way] to build confidence, make friends [and] have the unforgettable
experience performing. Over the many years I have been
conducting workshops most everyone has acknowledged it as a life
changing experience,” Gemora added.
My Talent workshop will be held
from April 13 to May 30 at the second floor Athena Building,
Eastwood City Libis. For details, call 710-1204, 384-5578, 571-3485,
0922-591-6060 or visit mytalentco.multiply.com.
CCP’sRegeneration will be held
from April 14 to 30 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas
Boulevard, Pasay City. For details, call 832-1125 local 1700/03.
Gantimpala Theater’s Summer
Workshop will run from April 13 to May 21. Classes are every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Rehearsal Hall, Open
Air Auditorium Building, in Luneta, Manila. For details, call
528-0603, 536-5860 or 0921-528-6308, e-mail gantimpalatheater@yahoo.com.ph
or visit gantimpalatheater.multiply.com.
The Tanghalang Pilipino’s 2009
Summer Theater Adventure is now open for enrollees. For schedules,
discounts and other inquiries, you may call 832-3661, 832-1125 local
1620 or 1621 or 832-3661. You may also e-mail: ccptanghalan@yahoo.com.
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