Widening horizon
We aim to grow personally and professionally. This is the reason we do not limit our horizons within a certain defined space. We explore and find viable options. And gain significant experiences.
To grow means extending our limits, even outside from our comfortable spaces. This means finding out what's in store for us outside the wider, bigger horizon.
When an invitation from my former colleague to watch his musical play in Hong Kong, I did not have a second thought. Allan Nazareno has been producing and directing plays here and abroad. Before he left for Guam, I was so blessed to have worked and collaborated with him in a UP Cebu major production for UPSTAGE and UP Cebu High School Glee Club. He was my musical director of "Ang Tawo", an adaptation of Everyman. His patience, passion, and dedication to develop students' talents and capabilities were so enormous. Held at the Saint Theresa's Auditorium in 1989, the production was a resounding success. And in spite of numerous productions under his wing, he remains self-effacing.
Allan lovingly dedicates his recent project to the people who inspired him the most - his teachers at UP Cebu High School, whom he considers always taught him to excel in whatever he does. They are Dr. Primitivo Gapol Ereno, Dr. Madrilena de la Cerna, Dr. Lelani Echaves-Paredes, Atty. Lourdes U. Barcenas, Prof. Fe Anastasia N Reyes, Prof. Martin Castillo, Prof. Ben Noynay, Dr. Sofia Alino, Prof. Fred Montano, Prof. Lawlita Cabahug Prof. Daniel and Dr. Lina Nellas, Dr. Pinit Carvajal, Dr. Elisa Lapa, Prof. Lumen Mercado, and from heaven looking down - Prof. Carmen Bunagan (RIP) and Prof. Teofilo Lutao (RIP). And as a teacher now he has this to say to his students: "Let this be an inspiration - learn from your teachers who made the greatest impact in your life and be grateful to be blessed with teachers like that. I've been extremely blessed to have so many!"
For Allan, "these past few days, when one of my high school teachers was in a crisis, I've been able to reflect on my career as teacher and who I am now. It made me feel a sense of gratitude and luckily, I had the chance to extend my thanks to many of them, much like the way you have extended a sense of gratitude to me. I guess I'm paying it forward!"
Allan is now teaching Drama and Music at Yew Chung International School Hong Kong. For his latest directorial job, Disney's The Little Mermaid, he is very much excited for his 40th production and the first non-US school to be granted licensing to present the musicale. This will be on November 6, 7, 8, 2014 at the YCIS Auditorium.
In directing The Little Mermaid, he took one step further by using this as a commentary of the colonial mentality of many Asians. He likened Ariel's desire to live in the human world as that of an Asian's desire to live in the Western world, something that he could personally relate to. He researched Asian theatre elements that he could incorporate into the undersea creatures. He now has a unifying, defining element for the undersea creatures. The challenge that directors have for staging this is how to define the undersea world and so they use techniques such as gliding on Heelys (Bway with Zambello) to using flying machines and undulating movements (Glenn Casale's version). He found both techniques not applicable to their facility, thus he came up with using Asian designs as the defining element.
My trip to Hong Kong to meet Allan and watch his musicale would be an experience that would surely fire up my artistic persona. I am expecting of a different touch, an unusual flavor and a whole new world of understanding. An understanding that is beyond what I usually am confined in.
In a world that is becoming smaller as people reach out and interact in a bigger horizon, a wider and comprehensive perspective of things is progressively reached. Because of fears brought about by the uncertainty of the outside world, some dare not to explore. But I defy because I know there is something novel waiting for me.
- Latest
