|
Theatre is the mirror of life, a reflection of our society, our family, ourselves. It centers on human beings, and the impulse towards it is universal. It is of no wonder why the pioneers of Theatre Guild and all its members until now had kept it, ever stronger despite all the struggles of the past years and keeping its mission in the hearts of each one of us always.
Theatre Guild organization started as an idea, of certain dreamers who wanted a group that is bonded by their passion for theatre and performing, yet nurtured under a family. All this became a striking reality, starting with the founder, Roy Nepomuceno. The motto of the org Life is like a theatre where in all of us are the players signifies a comparison of the world to a stage, and all men and women having their own parts to play, each responding to its environment. This is very like the organization, our organization. A communion of different individuals of the arts and leadership, challenged every day to be flexible towards socializing to every member and being open minded to concerns of the organization as a family and as a performing group. This first year is very crucial, TG almost being unaccredited. It is the starting year, and it faced struggles, yet with the fire of the pioneers who build it (Lezzel Bartido, Lourievy Tang, Loudeth Miranda, Eris Miclat, Eliza Tolentino, JR Castelvi Laxamana, and Carlito Balatbat), nothing became impossible. In its first year, TG already had its first Team Building; a very essential part of every organization in creating its members’ togetherness and commitment for the organization. TG is even the first organization in the university to have its team building, facilitated by Franklin Soliman, the former Student Activities Coordinator of Holy Angel University. The team building then became a tradition; an activity looked forward to by members. This is the first event of a new member inside TG’s walls, them being integrated to the culture of the organization. Activities are structured in ways that the new members will come to an understanding that you join in the organization not because of the things it will give you; you join in because you have something to share to the organization. Being a member of Theatre Guild is taking pride and ownership, that you and the organization is one. The membership does not expire; as you stay to be a part of Theatre Guild, always, as long as you hold the beliefs and philosophies of the org. It is not limited by the parapets of the school not even by the limits of communication. This is where year one focused: the family-like atmosphere of the organization. JR Castlevi Laxamana comes in next, TG president for the second year. His time is the rebuilding of TG with regards to papers. He promoted a batch with constant reality check, with a bright mind that led the group into an understanding that rules matter a lot, and that there is no need to speed things up. Even so, the fire for the arts was never gone, as certain members joined the drama festival that year, getting awards and appreciation. Every year has its own weaknesses, weaknesses to be treated as opportunities to grow. To compensate for the shortcomings of the past years, another great leader followed, the multi-talented and mother-like Riovanie Yanes, who directed Theatre Guild towards its healing year. With her soft personality partnered with the right blend of leadership, the year was reborn, with a good foundation for the home and a happy attachment among its members inside. Year three was the year when Theatre Guild in cooperation with Scenario joined an inter-school drama festival, entitled Huwag na Nating Hintayin pa ang mga Anghel, which bagged the champion award. It was a great play, a story of individuals already dead, their spirits’ belief divided, some waiting for the angels of heaven to bring them to salvation, some uninspired, unbelieving. It was marketed not only outside school but especially to students of our own. This is also the year where lots of good leaders are molded. The next president, which also is the Best Actor of the drama play the prior year, was Randale Antonio. Tagged as the “iron-hand” president, the fourth batch was considered to be the batch of standing. With lots of new aspiring members, TG was made known as performers for talents in acting, dancing, singing and visual arts. This batch started presenting actively in college days of different departments and exposing individual talents of the members through the participation in various University days competitions and special numbers. This was also the first year that the Reconciliation Night and the Battery of Training was introduced to the org. These events which are now part of the tradition of the org helps a lot in establishing good relationships of the TG family and also serve as training grounds for leadership and self esteem. In the recon night, old members of the org are invited especially the officers. This is a night of bridging gaps among the old members and incoming leaders of the year, activities to open and give closure to issues of the past year, confessions of hidden hurting towards anything and motivational talks which bring uplifting to the old members that will be handing down TG ideals to a fresh batch. If recon night is to begin, the battery of training is one the last and most strenuous activity of TG. Again this is an event for chosen members, who are seen as potential leaders for the upcoming year, physical and mental activities to test their abilities in decision making and leadership. Tolerance for pain is tested, and in here you will see who face adversities calmly and those who are easily given to anger, some of the situations that would be faced by the future org handlers. The year was a great success, continued by the influential Arjal Bryan Altes, the next leader who introduced a new concept to the org, youthfulness. The year was full of great and talented theatre and performing enthusiasts, exposed not only in school events but also outside the university. This was the year that Theatre Guild had its first ever Concert for a Cause held at Robinsons,Balibago. A post Christmas concert and an outreach for the children of Pampang, the event was a talent showcase of the members and a super joyous event, as the talents of the performing group were used to give new hopes to children who need it plus a simultaneous art exhibit to expose great works of members in visual arts.The members really showed cooperation, preparing through workshops during the sem break and rehearsals during Christmas break. All effort paid off, as the concert was a meaningful endeavor done successfully. Theatre Guild is at its peak, towards its mission of enhancing their members with their talents and leadership abilities. Every department has performed and maxed out, the talent groups performing in front acts, gig invitations in SM Clark, full-packed presentations in college days, even the competitions. TG full bands and acoustic bands were also formed. The Theatre Guild actors in cooperation with CBA that year made their first ever film, an entry to the Digital Film Fest, “Gyerra”. The next year with Lithos Sto. Domingo heading, was another year of packed plans and goals. This is the first year that a very functional organizational structure was done. An executive board consisting of officers from the president to the auditor, four talent directors (acting, musical, dancing, visual and digital arts) with two coordinators each, the year started with a good system. What with every good year, there is always a time for adversity. And this year it was about the presidency. Lithos was a member of HAU Chorale and by this time, there was a rule passed that members of school-recognized groups (Chorale, Rondalia, Strings Ensemble, Dance Theatre, etc) are now not allowed to be members of talent organizations. With a very difficult dilemma, he chose TG. With that decision, the president, together with the all the members proved that the strength of the family bond is not destroyed with adversities, and that there would be no regrets for every decision. Just as the past years have done, there are continuous exposures, inside and outside the university. One of the highlights of this year was the creation of Theatre Guild’s first sole created and produced film, Bilango. Now on its seventh year standing, Theatre Guild with its new president Rachel Pregunta is again in for a great year. Theatre guild presented a unique parade during the organization exposed for this year. Together with the other orgs walking the parade trail, TG paraded with the Singing Department chanting TG’s theme song, Next in Line by After Image while the Dancing Department dancing to raps and beats of a TG member rapping. The Acting Department was in full costume, too, portraying different roles with costumes. This is also the first year when the organization held two auditions, giving proof to how a lot of students are magnetized to TG for different reasons. TG has performed in various school exposures, ranging from the college department days to the sarzuela performed in the University Theater. There are also on going projects with the Kapampangan Center, the Felipe Songsong independent film, a life story of a Kapampangan Blessed nominated as a saint, (Songsong) and a television series for CLTV 36.
Apart from all the activities TG has been doing and being successful with, what sets the TG as an accomplishing org is that apart from helping its members improve with regards to their talent aspect, Theatre Guild has been giving more. Acting as a second family, the org leaves a half-done mission to the hearts of every member: That every member, in his own being matters. No one is of no talent. May it be theatre and performing, music and dance, visuals and technicalities or leading, everyone has its own ability to be celebrated and that is half of the mission. The other half is for the member himself to constantly grow in his own, bringing with him the evaluated experiences from being a part of Theatre Guild, equipped to the continuous changing of the environment.
|