To be young, gifted and Cebuano theater actor

Swinging by one afternoon rehearsal of the play mounted by the Sacred Heart Parish Social Action Ministry and Out of the Box Theatre Co., this writer found for herself how talented and driven Adrian is, indeed, after the legendary director Daisy Ba-ad asked him to render a teaser of his performance this Saturday, August 27, at the Grand Pacific Ballroom of Waterfront Lahug.

The boy quietly turned his back on us with his face withdrawn - then suddenly, like a thunderbolt, let out a voice with such strength, belying his youth. He then faced us and lifted his head high, his eyes flashing with hard emotion like someone betrayed, as he raised his voice in full tenor.

I fell silent with awe and admiration as I watched Adrian the actor. When I talked to him earlier, he seemed so meek and soft-spoken that I could hardly believe it was he who's performing now.

From trembling outrage, he shifted to a melancholic stare, as his reverberating voice gradually descended into a lonely whisper; his face once again withdrawn. He executed the lines with profundity and eloquence. Indeed, an outpour of talent. "He's truly fit for theater," said Ba-ad, as she related how this young boy proved his passion for acting. With a laugh, she recalled that when Adrian was still starting, classmates graded him with the lowest score of two out of 10. But with dedication and persistence, his efforts paid off, as now he's playing the major role in "Children of Eden."

After a short while, he began singing again, this time more energetic and vibrant, and before I knew it, he was already chasing after his friend and a co-actor, laughing and gagging around. Though serious and disciplined, he still makes room for fun like any ordinary 15-year-old.

Adrian is the fifth - and youngest - child of Anastacio Jr. and Maria Socorro Muntuerto. He took up his nursery and elementary years at St. Benedict School and is currently a junior at Sacred Heart School. He got his acting skills from his mother who was into theater before and who's now actively encouraging him to join plays. His two sisters are musically talented as well; one is a member of a band, while the other is adept at playing the piano. According to Adrian, he will be always grateful to the support of his family, who has been responsible for molding his talents.

In school, he's occasionally the recluse who likes being with his own thoughts. But this doesn't mean he can't be funny too. He is especially thankful for being part of Out of the Box Theater Co. for letting him be. "In school, some people look at you differently, but here, I can always let loose. Here, I can be who I am," Adrian said.

His onstage experience began when he was 10. He then became a scholar of Out of the Box, which is helmed by Daisy Ba-ad and Sarah Enclona. From then on, he starred, among others, in "Tall Tales Kuno," "The World Is A Stage," "Ever After," "Artworth," "Oliver," "Godspell," and last year, "Children of Eden" as Cain. He confessed that he has never really aspired for the bigger roles, nevertheless, he's grateful that he's been given the chance to essay such.

"I always find it (acting) my best bet, but not to brag, I always have the tendency to memorize the whole script, including the lines of the different characters," he said.

Ba-ad swore he's a reliable stand-in, not only for his retentive memory but also for his flexibility. "That's why he always likes it whenever someone is absent!" Ba-ad grinned.

Asked how he effectively portrays a character, he said, "It's more of becoming the character, which makes it all the more believable. There's a difference between acting and being the character."

He said he also has his ample share of stressful times during rehearsals. There was a time when they were practicing for "Artworth," the rehearsals lasted from 8am to 12 midnight. Still, he finds relaxation despite this kind of schedule, many thanks to the friendships formed. He said, "Through the course of the practice, you get to become closer, and sooner or later, you become like a family."

He was a little upset though as he shared the lack of attention given to theater here in Cebu. "Theater here is not that good. It's only in Manila where you can get regular performances," he said, adding that he was advised to pursue theater as a sideline.

Admitting though that he still prioritizes his studies, Adrian, who plans to take up Psychology and proceed to a Law school, insisted that he's never going to give up theater. "As long as I can sing, as long as I can dance, as long as I can act, I will never stop!"

For someone whose only regret was that he didn't start earlier, he advises aspiring actors to take the chance as early as they can. At first, the idea of joining the theater sounded "baduy" to him, but now he's enjoying it like no other.

He said he's open to the idea of acting onscreen, but strongly holds the belief that it's nothing compared to acting onstage. "In the movies, you can always say, 'Cut!' in between scenes. In the theater, it's always a different experience for every person who watches."

Looking back, "Godspell" is the play he likes the most. "I like the way I portrayed Jesus Christ. He's fun, more comical and energetic. It's not how you really see Jesus Christ in the usual way. In that play, He's still a preacher but He is more of a friend."

Acting as God the Father in the re-staging of "Children of Eden" is the role closest to his heart. "I feel that I could be my all with this one. I can relate to it since I had been through the same situation... feeling disappointed, not much loved, and in the end being betrayed - I felt that," he shares. "'Children of Eden' is really something that you should watch to realize another side of God. In the play, He is [depicted as] more of a father. You see the warm side of God - the kind of father waiting for His children to come back."