Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?

About one Saturday ago , Bakla took time off from his busy schedule (feeling busy) to join other bloggers from the metro in a one-of-a-kind event organized by Gibbs Cadiz, Migs the Manila Gay Guy, and PinoyCentric.com.

Theater Talk ATBP with Floy Quintos was held at the PLDT/SMART Exhibition Hall at the PETA Center in Quezon City. It was Bakla’s first time at PETA and boy was he happy - thanks to cute, hot, and respected theater actors roaming around the center.

Seriously though, the experience was very uplifting and “culturally cultivating” (if there’s such a term). Not everyone is lucky enough to learn from one of the best people in the industry, so boy were we lucky!

This experience was very unique in the sense that it brought it me a newfound appreciation for theater as well as a renewal of my love of theater (and actors?)

Here are some quick notes I’ve taken:

On Theater

• Theater is the most intangible discipline and little attention is given to it. Bloggers play a big role in promoting theater and raising awareness about it.
• This “bastard daughter of all the arts,” to quote Floy, is the source of training and the talents that sustain and feed the mainstream media like television and film.
• Theater is fighting a good fight - in the midst of all new media springing from all corners of the world - the Internet included

On Appreciating Theater

• One thing you should remember is that theater is demanding and the moment you enter the theater is a moment when you enter into the world of the play - an alternative world.
• You should always ask yourself, the WIIFM (what’s in it for me?) question
• When doing a review (be it for yourself or for your blogs) consider the following:

1. Set

Is there something to question?

Does it take you away from your reality?

2. Director’s Style and Vision

Are you seeing more than what you’re supposed to see?

Does it make you question?

Is it engaging?

3. Actors

Technique vs. Talent - did they use pure technique only or pure talent only or both?

Did the actor play the character so well that they got over the intellect and followed with the heart?

Did they make you understand without understanding?

I’ve learned more than what I’ve listed above. So how can you, as a blogger, as a citizen of the Internet, help theater? Floy says:

“Write about it. Tell your friends. Spread the word. Promote discussion. You may not touch the lives of three million people, but if you can transform three, the effort is already invaluable. “

Here’s a short clip of Floy Quintos giving his hilarious yet insightful talk:
Of course one great thing I’ve brought home with me is the experience of meeting other bloggers and interacting with them. It was one successful event, I must say, and I tip my hats off to Gibbs, Migs, and Karla! Here’s to more!Other bloggers who wrote about this event:Glaiza Seguia: “Crunchy Tuna Roll!”
Calvin Cortes: “Talk About Theater”
Jeanne Louise Cruz: “Theater Talk, Atbp. With Floy Quintos”
Arpee and Noreen Lazaro: “Floy Talks Theater”
Walter Ang: “Theater talk with Floy Quintos”
Shari Cruz: “Theater Talk + Liquor Ban = Disaster”
Jhed Cabrera: “The Dork Does Theater”
LA Lomarda: “Theater, Liquor and Coffee”
Alan Rey Penilla: “A Late Lucky Bastard at the Theater Talk”
Lalah Varias: “A Soulful Venture”
Juned Sonido: “A Night at the Theater”
Richard Raymond Uy: “Theater Talk with Floy Quintos”
Chris Lagman: “Theater Talk at PETA”
Joel Macaventa: “Theater Talk”

Some more attendees: Ederic Eder, Marco Angeles, Christopher Joseph San Jose, Chuck Smith, Carlo Capellan, Cyril Ramos, Sharline Bareng, AJ Matela, Joseph Datinguinoo, Faith Salazar, Coy Caballes, JM Tuazon, Ricky/Arlo, Gerald Cruz, and Philippine Star columnist Exie Abola.