For those of you who know me, you know this is going to be LONG. For those who don't know me that well yet, I apologize as this will be quite LONG. As what I always do after every production, I'll open my heart to you..
Now that the curtains are down and the lights are off, I can finally tell you a secret:
I've been sick and in pain for quite a while now, from rehearsals until the playdates. I've tried my best not to show it to you, but there were times when it became unbearable and some of you noticed it. For a lot of you who see me as 'Superman', I didn't want to show you my human side as much as possible. A lot of you were already making extreme sacrifices for the play, so I tried my best not to add to your burden. Now I can ask for your forgiveness for the times that I was useless and the times when I seemed 'not myself', which was most of the time.
The reason why I made my own "dressing room" during the last day was because I wanted to have a place where I could be alone and talk to Him because my body almost gave up already. He's really good as He gave me the strength to last the day, and though my body gave up after the last show, He still gave me enough strength to arrive home safely.
Special thank's to Ate Gio, Dawn, Algen, MyAngel and Macoy for seeing through my "brave" facade and staying with me for as long as they could.
Now on to the lighter side of things..
Les Mis opened in London in 1985, Broadway in 1987 and was first staged in Cebu in 1996. It was my first production outside of school, and it was the reason why I fell in love with musical theatre when I was in high school.
A lot of different groups have been presenting their own interpretations of Les Mis through the years after 1996 (most of them concerts), but none in recent times, and I really felt that it was high time to reintroduce it to society, as well as introduce it to the new generation because for me, it's one of the greatest novels of the 19th century, and probably of all time, and it's a story that continually speaks to people today, an epic tale with great characters that people can relate to with a beautiful heart-wrenching, heart-felt score.
I dreamed that dream to do Les Mis again in Cebu, this time making it more faithful to the Broadway and West End productions with the limited resources available. I dreamed the dream, but it was all that I had. I needed people to help fulfill that dream, people that share my passion for the performing arts, diverse people who complement each other. I found those people - YOU.
YOU made this all possible.
YOU dreamed the dream and then YOU made it a reality.
Immaculate - The best decision I've EVER made with regards to CTC was to ask for your help, and you never even hesitated or stopped to think, you said YES right away. You're simply amazing. You are truly a real-life Supergirl. You have the biggest heart I know and your capacity to care and to love is just, wow! You are our ate, but you're also our mama because that's what you are. You give without expecting anything in return, you see through us even with our 'happy' faces, and you feel everything that we feel, sometimes even double the pain that we're experiencing. You are our light and our biggest pillar. I love you, Immaculate, so much! God bless you.
Dave - You remind me so much of myself, but a much, much improved version in all aspects. Haha. Thank you for being a little brother who can quickly transform into my kuya when the need arises. You will become 24601 - not 24607 - soon, I will be with you every step of the way. I love you bro! God bless you.
Radiana - From the cute girl that Rubi brought to the house, you've bloomed so beautifully into the multi-talented seasoned performer and director that you are now. I can never thank you enough for EVERYTHING. Thank you for fighting for and with me. Thank you for all your sacrifices, and for opening up your heart and letting us all in. Thank you for bringing out the best in everyone. I love you, Radiana, and as I will fight for you as you have for me. God bless you.
Rubi - Thank you for sticking with CTC and for staying by my side all these 6 years. Thank you for the sacrifices and the 'sosyal' touches that you did just to make our productions bongga. Haha. I hope CTC will still be here if and when you come back from the land of the long white cloud. Never ever forget to keep your feet on the ground wherever you go. Keep the faith, and keep the fire burning. God bless you.
Allan - Master, I can never thank you enough for sharing yourself to everyone. Our learnings from you we will never forget because you did not only teach our minds, you taught our hearts. Thank you for sharing your amazing talents as well. It is an extreme honor to have shared the character with you. Bow jud ko basta ikaw. God bless you.
Andrew - Your passion is contagious, thank you for rubbing it off to everyone. Thank you also for joining our crusade and for sharing yourself. On and off-stage, you're one amazing person I truly admire. God bless you.
Junrey - Thank you for the support, for the extra push and for sharing yourself to me, and to everyone. You've always been an amazing performer, and now you're on your way to become an amazing director. Continue sharing your God-given abilities. God bless you.
Tingge - More than a decade of friendship, a lot of wala'y klaro duets & recordings, we've finally performed on-stage the song we've practiced years ago outside the Yellow House. Haha. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart. It's truly a blessing making beautiful music with you through the years. Love you, Tingge! God bless you.
Nicole - Thank you for sharing your talent and your heart. Thank you also for helping others develop their potentials. Keep up the excellent work, and looking forward to making more beautiful music with you. God bless you.
Mikko - Thank you for joining our crusade, and continue sharing your gifts. Take good care of your voice, and since you're already becoming in-demand, choose your gigs wisely. Remember that as much as you'd like to, you just can't say yes to everything. Thank you for the love and care, bro! God bless you.
Pot2x - Thank you for joining our journey, and for staying. Continue developing and sharing your talents. With your talent and your kind heart, you will surely go a long way in whatever field you'll want to pursue. Keep the faith. God bless you.
Peter - You are such an amazingly talented person. Continue sharing your gifts, and continue keeping your feet planted firmly on the ground. I hope that your parents see the happiness that you bring to others with your gift of music. Thankyou for staying. God bless you.
Justine - Thank you for bringing out the best in me, and thank you for our heart-to-heart talks and texts. Looking forward to more bonding time with you soon. Continue sharing your talent to the world. Love you, Justine! God bless you.
TePau - Thank you for the never-ending inspiration and friendship. You have a lot of God-given gifts, never ever waste it. Continue performing not because you have to, but because you love to. The passion I saw in you in KH is still there in 1832. Keep the fire burning, and stay happy. I'll always be here come what may, a fan and a friend. Love you, TePau! God bless you.
Baby Insik - Is there anything that you can't do? Haha. Thank you for the smiles and laughters that you've given me, and thank you for your beautiful heart which you've shared with me. I'm always here as always. Love you, Insik! God bless you.
JJ - Thank you for sharing your most beautiful gifts of music and friendship to us, to me. Thank you also for the cathartic heart-to-heart talks, looking forward to more. I will be with you every step of the way until you fulfill that "dream" of yours that we talked about. I'm so proud and blessed to be a part of your life and to have shared the stage with you. I'll always be a fan and a friend. Love you, Joanna Jane! God bless you.
Fitz - It's an honor sharing the stage with you 2 years in a row. Thank you for sharing yourself and your talents, and for joining the crusade. I've always believed in you. God bless you.
Fritz & Warren - I never regret passing on that very special character to you because you did not only give it justice, you brought Thenardier to a whole different level. Thank you for taking care of that role. It's yours until we find someone else worthy to share it to. Thank you for the love and friendship. You guys are just amazing! God bless you.
Stella & RyZa - You pulled off one of the most difficult female roles in Les Mis in effortless fashion. You were so effective that you can alternately enter in one scene and the audience wouldn't even notice you're 2 different actors. Thank you for staying and for helping. God bless you.
Veralyn & Adi - You girls almost always make me cry every time I watch you perform. It is such a joy seeing your love for the performing arts at such an early age. Keep developing and sharing your talents, you both have the world to conquer. If you'll need me to guide you, I'll just be here always. I love you both! God bless you.
MyAnGel - Thank you for always being there most especially during my down times, even when you were in down time yourself. Thank you for all our bonding moments and looking forward to more. I'll always be here for you as you are for me. Love you much! God bless you.
Atchick - You're one of the most helpful, respectful and friendliest person I know. Keep it up. You are very talented at such a young age. Never waste your God-given gifts, and continue developing it and sharing it to the world. Your family is lucky to have someone as caring and loving as you. God bless you.
Algen & Rina - Thank you for joining our crusade and for staying. I am happy to see your passion for performing, and how much you've matured as a performer from the auditions to our playdates. Keep it up. God bless you.
Manuel & Sly - Thank you for finding time to join our crusade even with your super hectic sked. It's really an honor sharing the stage with you for the 2nd time in 2 years. Thank you most especially for the care and for your big heart. God bless you.
Dawn - Thank you for the love, care and support. You're like a not-so-little brother to me and you remind a lot of myself. Keep the faith and continue the passion burning inside you. You have a heart full of love, follow it. God bless you.
Mariel, Anther, Mona & Adeth - The super teachers! Thank you so much for joining our crusade and for always finding time to insert 1832 into your busy lives. It's such a joy seeing your passion to perform and getting to share the stage with you. God bless you.
Gio - From officemate to friend, to a theatre colleague, it has been a real pleasure sharing my life with you. Thank you for all your help and thank you for finally joining CTC and 1832. Thank you for being a great ate not just to the group, but also to me. Haha. God bless you.
Macoy - It's such an honor to be graced by your mere presence, much more by your amazing assistance. Never thought I could meet someone who's more a Les Mis freak than I am. Haha. Looking forward to finally sharing the stage with you soon. God bless you.
Miming - I can't thank you enough for your invaluable support, much more for your very big heart. I'm hoping that you won't leave us, but I know it's for your own future so go, go with our memories tucked safely in your heart as you will always be in ours. I feel so blessed to have a friend like you, and though I may not say it, I love you very much, Miming! God bless you.
Gerald & Rio - Thank you both for your invaluable assistance. I hope to get to know you both more soon, say like, next production? ;) God bless you.
Franz - Thank you for all your assistance, and for being ever so supportive of Justine. God bless you.
Danj - Thank you for your amazing assistance. For the first time in my theatre life, I wouldn't have to worry about hand props because I know you've got it covered. Perfect match jud mo. Ayeee. Haha. God bless you.
Ami, Flor & Donna - Thank you for coming in and saving us behind the scenes. Your experience and expertise has helped and has taught us a lot. God bless you.
Topher - Thank you for your sacrifices and for being so fast to pass on my instructions. Congrats on your newly-grown muscles. Haha. God bless you.
Katherine, Rica, Marky, Rian & Enzo - Thank you for finding time to help even with your hectic schedules. I really appreciate everything that you've done. God bless you.
Jaja & Frankie - Thank you so much for finding time despite your busy schedules. The shows wouldn't have been that smooth had not been for your assistance. God bless you.
Sir Rainier and the ANS CMC - You're one of the biggest reasons why the shows were successful. Thank you for adopting us into your humble room when we had nowhere to go to, and thank you for accepting us into your family. God bless you.
Special thank's to Wilma and Mikhz, pioneer CTC family members who've given their amazing support to the new family members and the new production. Love you both, Elizabeth and Mikhael! God bless you.
To those whom I failed to mention here, and to everyone else, my journey to 1832 became a memorable and worthwhile adventure because of you - THANK YOU!
When Gayle and I formed CTC in 2004, we wanted a theatre group that will be the closest thing to a family, and ever since the first batch (Anastasia) until the present batch (1832), I'm so proud that we've achieved that level. You guys have proven yourselves more than worthy, and I'm confident that even if I'll be gone right now, CTC will live on because of you.
I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH, GUYS & I OWE YOU A LOT! :)
The laughters and the tears were all worth it because I got you all as BLESSINGS.
Si Papa God nalang bahala ug balos ninyo sa inyong tanan nga na-share diri kanako ug sa usa'g usa.
*hugz*
*lights off - - close curtain*
