For MIGUEL, The Role's The Thing

There are no small roles. Only small actors. Thus, did Miguel Vera accepted the role of one of three male chorus members in the upcoming musicale They're Playing Our Song (August 1-13, AFP Theater), topbilling Lea Salonga and Singapore's Adrian Pang.

To comments that the chorus is but a minor part in any play, Miguel shoots back,"What's wrong with playing the chorus? Sometimes, that part is even harder to play than the others!"

Besides, Miguel had to pass through the proverbial eye of the needle to land the coveted role in the Singapore Repertory Theater production.

Almost a hundred auditioned. The number was trimmed down to 40 on the second day, until only six were chosen (three males, three females) for the role.

"Imagine, they even asked me to dance! I can move, yes. Butt dancing is something new to me."

Told that he might be an understudy for Adrian's role, that of an eccentric musician who falls in love with Sonia (Lea), Miguel felt doubly elated.

"They told me Adrian might do some other kind of work by July," Miguel revealed over a plate of spaghetti.

In that case, Miguel, now sporting a bald pate in keeping with his character roles on TV (among them, GMA 7's Verano), will have to change his looks. He may have to grow some hair to look more believable as the gifted musician who sweeps Lea off her feet.

It will be a new experience for Miguel, who looks at the chance to play comedy for a change as a big challenge he can't resist.

Another upcoming big event for Miguel is the auditions for Miss Saigon (to be staged October at the Cultural Center of the Philippines) on May 22.

"I auditioned for Saigon before, but I failed because of my balladeer look," says Miguel.

With the balladeer look again, Miguel hopes to have greater chances of making it this time.

Meanwhile, his fourth album, produced by Freddie Saturno, is still on hold, waiting for the right recording outfit to distribute it to come along.

"I know of people who liked the songs in the album when they heard it," relates Miguel. "But," his brows start to knit now, "there are recording executives who have rejected the album because they think the continuing issue between Ai Ai (de las Alas, his former partner) and me will have a negative effect."

Miguel can't help but protest: "I think they have their own minds that will tell them how to judge an album based on its merits alone, and not on talks going around."

Besides, you can't put a talented man down. And Miguel -- the proven actor-singer that he is, would rather damn the torpedoes and go full steam ahead. That's spunk and the gung-ho spirit for you.