Aryana the magical tail comes to an end

“Just got home from the finale presscon of Aryana and am thankful for having been part of this ABS-CBN show that has rated continuously well over nine months. However, I’m sad as I will miss my co-actors. Alas! The life of an actor is having the coping skills to lay to rest one character for another two more weeks till Stella is laid to rest… Maybe it’s in these characters I portray that gives me the freedom and courage to explore the spectrum of life in all shades. It’s not all rosy but it sure makes living damn worthwhile. May your art be your salvation as your passions become your reality!”

I feel compelled to share with you my Facebook post earlier this week. I had gotten home that evening from my press conference at ABS-CBN and had watched the Golden Globes and it made me miss my life in Los Angeles so much. Every awards season in L.A. has an energy that reverberates throughout the entire city and it’s a buzz that reinvigorates the people who have dedicated their lives to the business of making movies, just like so many of us artists here in the Philippines.

Perhaps, I’m nostalgic because the past nine months of my life were spent entirely immersed in the creative process as an actor with the cast, staff and crew for my daily fantaserye Aryana on ABS-CBN. The role of Stella Cervantes is a cutthroat, who will stop at nothing to the point of plotting sinister revenge on anyone who gets in her way. Yet somehow, the character justifies her vile actions because of her love for her daughter. When Joel Mercado, the lead writer of the show, told me about Stella, I was intrigued. It’s one thing to be a stereotypical antagonist that’s evil and conniving. It’s another to have a character gradually transform into an unrecognizable ball of fury. And as a comeback role for television, this was a role I could really sink my teeth into. Alas! If only it was just a role and a profession. But no, I am reminded that many people work in the industry of entertainment for the arduous process of creating a meaningful product with the intention of touching lives balanced with the high hopes of successful ratings.

Let me briefly discuss the taping process for a daily serye. It is literally a test of professionalism when tears, late nights and script revisions are all part and parcel of what is expected. Admittedly, when I began taping for the show, I had forgotten the ropes from being away for so long and got off to a rocky start. Luckily, some good advice from friends who care reminded me that an attitude adjustment was in order if I were to survive back in the game. I’m the first to admit that a switch in my sensibilities happened very fast and I mentally prepared for what was required of a soap opera actor no matter what series, show or station.

Three days of the week are to be blocked off for taping the show. Either M-W-F or T-TH-S. Out of these three days, the production staff is working almost every day to discuss the pre-production details of another taping day. An average of 30 to 40 sequences are targeted each day with set-ups anywhere from two to four different locations. It doesn’t make it any easier when artists schedule other engagements on regular taping days but it happens. If one variable in the entire process gets delayed, you can pretty much expect it to trickle down and eventually snowball. These variables are a dime a plenty. One actor is late and everyone waits. The art department has a missing prop requirement? Perhaps, another setback of another couple of hours. You rehearse and block a scene and finally “take it“ but then again either the camera is out of focus or the actors forget their lines. So we start over and over and over for the next scenes. This happens all the time yet what’s important to understand is that everyone wants to get the job done to the best of their ability. And by the time you are done for the day, everyone is exhausted and spent, their patience tried and tested to the brim. And yet, there is a sense of camaraderie and compliance to the system for the sake of maximizing time and cost. Sure things can and could be improved, just like in any industry. But that isn’t the point. The point is it’s not all glamorous and it’s really about delivering a professional atmosphere to all those you work with. And when everyone steps up their game, then the set transforms into a well-oiled machine where everyone cooperates and gives it their all. Blood, sweat and tears talaga.

And so, with a heavy heart, Aryana is in its final week after two long seasons. All the scenes are climaxing, which means everyone, down to the grip (people who carry the lighting equipment) all the way up to the stars who by now are household names, is all pulling together to end the show with a bang. Mas matinding everything… eksena, sampalan, heart, spectacle. And then that’s it. The people you spent almost a year with now move on to the next project and maybe you all get together after and text here and there but more likely than it, it will be the occasional run in through the corridors of the station rushing to the next engagement.

But like my post says, “…The life of an actor is having the coping skills to lay to rest one character for another…” Goodbye Stella and my Aryana family. It’s been swell being a kontrabida and I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout our time together. Most importantly, a big thank you to all the viewers who have always been loyal to our show despite the five other programs that tried and failed to capture your hearts. It’s an understatement that we, artists and people in entertainment, work hard for the money but it’s really because we want to touch and inspire all of you. Aryana is on its final week starting 5:45 p.m. on Monday to Friday till Jan. 25.

(Tweet the author at @gtongi for comments, suggestions or violent reactions.)