Midnight DJ : Sa Ngalan ng Ama

Despite the heavy rains last Thursday, August 26,taping of the Midnight DJ episode went on smoothly as the efficient staff and crew went about their duties to ensure that every take was a success. In between takes, the actors passed their time with friendly card games and funny banters. It was just like, pardon the cliche, one big happy family. In one corner were young actors' parents huddled while exchanging notes on their experiences with other productions and networks, while on the far end of the make shift (but airconed) dressing room were a couple of actors immersed on the laptop.

So what was I doing there? Well, Direk Lore decided to make true his promise to provide me with more roles (para naman may pambili ako ng ulam) in the weekly mystery tv show over at TV5. And boy, was I in good company! Other guests in the 11th episode of the show's 8th season were my idol, Bembol Rocco, Kalila Aguilos, fellow Actors Workshopper Ces Aldaba and young actor Renz Valerio.

Most of my scenes (five, yes i counted them) were with child actor Renz Valerio who, in my opinion, is another dramatic actor in the making. I play the role of Father Barbatos, the kind old priest who ran an orphanage. But this is not the first time i played man of the cloth, i was also a priest in a stage play we did at the old St. Therese Auditorium, "Isang Libong Piso," directed by the late tv director Raffy Oyales. In the musical play "Eugenie", director Chingay Lagdameo cast me as the Archbishop of Paris, Affre. Thus, Father Barbatos was not really to alien to me. And yes, you may blink and not miss me.

Midnight DJ stars Oyo Boy Sotto, Desiree del Valle, Meg Imperial, Joaqui Tupas, Julia Chua and John Medina. Aired over TV5, Firdays, 8:00PM

Sa Ngalan ng Ama (In the Name of the Father)

Director: Lore Reyes

Assistant Director: Jo Macasa

Episode Writer: Jessel Duque

Head Writer: Randy Villanueva

SYNOPSIS

Samboy visits the old site of the orphanage where he grew up, now an abandoned house up for sale. This visit reminds Samboy of a strange event that happened to him when he was just a boy. It involves a forbidden room where angry spirits seem to be trapped. When grown-up Samboy finds this room again, he awakens the spirits. When a disfigured man appears, things turn even stranger because Samboy starts suspecting that this man is his long-lost father, Samuel.



CHARACTERS

SAMBOY

BODJIE

QT

ANDREA

SWIT

ARTHUR

GUEST CHARACTERS

MANONG: Late 40s or Early 50s. A hideously disfigured man. He seems to be a burn victim. Mysterious and secretive.

SIONING: Late 20s. The ghost of a burned woman. Angry and vengeful.

EMPOY: 10. The ghost of a burned boy. Sad.

YOUNG SAMBOY: 12. Samboy as a boy.

YOUNG LANDO: 12. Samboy’s friend. See Episode 10, “Kampon ng Jejemon”.

FATHER BARBATOS: 60s. A kind old priest who ran the orphanage when Samboy was still there.

FATHER INOCENCIO: 30s. The current head of the orphanage.

ORPHANAGE STAFF

ORPHANS

POLICE

Ode to Women Mentors (Part One)

I have been blessed. Many times over, i have had the fortune of meeting and working with some of the most influential women in their respective careers. That is not to say that i have never had male bosses, it is just that the ladies seem to outshine the men as far as i can remember.

If there is one thing i can say about my journey towards mentorship that is i seem to have this uncanny ability to gravitate towards women mentors. I am such a lucky bloke!

Consider the following:

Chingay Diaz-Lagdameo (photo, left) was the former dean at Assumption College in San Lorenzo Makati. But i met her first when she was our department head at the Communications Department. I remember as a newcomer in the faculty, i was taken by Chingay's gracious manners and subdued demeanor. She was mentor in its true essence: supportive but wise enough to challenge me every now and then. She always found time to talk to me and discuss my students or classes.

It wasn't long before we developed a bond and friendship that would see us weather some personal strife of our own. But through the years, despite losing touch every now and then, Chingay has remained to be my mentor in the academe world. And i have always appreciated her confidence in my talents. Sometimes i find myself blushing whenever she would introduce me to her friends and colleagues. She was always generous with her praises, but also honest with her admonishments. I distinctly remember her words to me: "do not mistake rights for courtesy". Such simple words, but they do resonate strongly to me up to now.

Chingay, the former chair of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is now Executive Director of the MMCO, the orchestra-in-residence of the Center for Applied Music in Miriam College.

Renowned veteran broadcaster Tina Monzon Palma (photo, right) was my boss at ABC Channel 5. As our COO, she was instrumental in opening some opportunities for me in the network. From being the Senior Copywriter for the station, Tina moved me to head the programs research department which would later lead me to become part of the Programming Committee. The experience gave me the opportunity to learn more about the television industry and be able to express my ideas and even spearhead some projects. Tina was hardworking and more known for her no-nonsense management style. She may lack the frills that other lady network executives may indulge in, but Tina had integrity, boldness and the "balls".

But what others do not know well about Tina is that is a mother at heart! I think it is a conscious effort on her part not to brandish this part of her persona. After all, despite the celebrity status, Tina is a very private person. On several occasions, Tina and i would trade jokes and have fun over the phone before she went on the air for the late evening news she anchored. Sometimes i would threaten her in jest that someday i will write about her and reveal who she really was! The idea horrified her!

And what do i remember the most among Tina's wise words to me? Well, they came at the eve of my flight to one of ABC 5's provincial network. Knowing perhaps that i was traveling alone, going on an all-expense paid trip down south, far from prying eyes, Tina without much prodding, simply told me in her trademarked modulated voice "Be careful. Do not make a fool of yourself out there."

I'm sure Tina doesn't have any idea how those words really got to me. As a young man, Tina's words made me realize that indeed it had been so easy for me to fall into my own folly, and immensely regret the consequences. I was a changed man when i got to the airport! Changed, and wiser.

Nowadays, Tina is busy at ABS CBN Foundation as Bantay Bata 163 Program Director and as news anchor over at ANC's World Tonight.