Tuloy ang Laban

So it turns out that the school didn't want me to skip this (first) batch of Theatre students. Instead of transferring my lone student to the other classes, they transferred one student to my class.

We had our fifth and last official session last night, and though all the sessions were fun, they were also stressful for me. As I mentioned before, I had to research because our classes were curriculum-based. Then using 2 old laptops in this "new normal" added to the stress. I have been in theatre for 27 years, and I've been a teacher for 19 years, but I really dislike teaching theatre online. It's just not right.

I will have to continue researching for the run of Batch 1 - sort of like second semester if it's a normal school. At least I already have the knowledge, experience and materials for the next batches of Run 1. Still hoping though that we will be able to have face-to-face sessions soonest.

In the meantime, laban lang!

September Sandwiches

We've been doing this since 2013, a little project off the stage and on to the streets of Cebu.

Because of the pandemic, we are taking a step back this year to hopefully move 2 or more steps forward soon.

To everyone who has supported us through the years, THANK YOU!

This is a little look-back at CTC's September Sandwiches.

Pagliacci the Clown

Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. 

Doctor says, "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. 

Go and see him. That should pick you up." 

Man bursts into tears. 

Says, "But doctor... I am Pagliacci."

Return of the King

LeBron James has just won his 4th Championship and his 4th Finals MVP.

With his 3rd NBA Team.

At the age of 37.

In his 17th year in the NBA.

Let that sink in.

It's been a while since I last talked about The King in this blog, but I've continued to follow his awesome career, and continued to root for him and wherever team he's playing for. Today, he didn't only help the LA Lakers win their 17th title, he also helped a lot of this teammates who were counted out by so many people before they were given the chance by the Lakers. Even LeBron himself was counted out by so many, especially after he got injured last year and the Lakers didn't even qualify for the Playoffs.

What a year it has been.

It was sweet because it was against LeBron's former team (where he won his 1st two titles), the Miami Heat. To make it sweeter, LA's battle cry since Kobe's tragic death has always been "Mamba" and "For Kobe".

The upcoming off-season will be exciting as there will be personnel changes in the roster of the Lakers. Whatever happens, this will be a season worth remembering. 

The Lakers are the 2020 NBA World Champions.

2020. What a year.

Huge Realization

I was chosen as one of the theatre mentors in a new performing arts center a few months ago. The biggest difference between this and other centers is that this is a curriculum-based training center. I was chosen because of my experience in theatre (27 years this month), but when I saw the actual curriculum with the topics to be discussed, etc., I was, right there and then, slapped with a huge realization that I am illiterate and incompetent. For the first 2 sessions, I researched, learned the topics, then made the informational materials just a day or two before our actual classes. I think I did a satisfactory job with my 2 students for the first 2 sessions.

Now that 1 student quit the training because of his studies (hopefully not because of theatre class or because I was lousy), I got 1 student left while the other mentors (who are formally trained so they're wayyyyy better than me) has 3 or 4. The center owners said that the ideal number per theatre class is 5, so I immediately suggested that they transfer my student to any of the other classes so we will experiencing interacting and working with other students. I hope that they will grant that request for the sake of the student.

I have accepted the fact that I am incompetent with formal theatre training since I've not experienced any of it. All that I have are experiences on and off stage with a lot of great directors, but sometimes, experience is not enough.

40 Before 40? Nah! Just ONE Before 40

I will turn 40 years old 40 days from today.

I have planned a lot of 40 before 40 challenges, but then 2020 with its plot twists happened.

Sooo, for my 40 before 40 challenge, I challenge myself to stay healthy, survive and reach my 40th birthday next month. That would definitely be an achievement!

Oh yeah, included in the challenge is to make sure my family is safe and healthy, too.