By Leloi Arcete

This time there will be no cuts and second takes. Ten years after since his last theater appearance, Bembol Roco is coming back on stage.

You would think that a seasoned actor like Bembol Roco is never anxious about performing or  does not experience stage fright, which to some of us is equivalent to the feeling of a sudden rush to go to the john, sweaty palms, and stomach butterflies. But apparently even actors of his status become a little jittery every time they perform. Especially if that someone’s last theater appearance is some ten years ago.

Given that lag, Bembol seems slightly uneasy to go back to the stage, “You really have to memorize your lines,” he says. But Bembol sensibly claims that anxiety is part of the experience: “When you become overconfident, you lose the excitement, and that’s what it’s all about.”

His apprehensions aside, Bembol appears to be enjoying the experience: “I love theater. Theater is an artists’ medium. It allows actors to have artistic freedom,” he wistfully exclaims.

Although many would remember Bembol for his appearances in movies and television shows, ranging from the late Lino Brocka’s opus Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag to his most recent television shows: Kapitan Boom, Asian Treasures, and Maging Sino Ka Man, only a few would know that the actor was once a stage performer.

And now that he is back on stage, his comeback is done with a bang.

Bembol does Damaso
After being offered the role of Damaso in PETA’s Noli at Fili (Dos Mil), Bembol soon realized that his next theater appearance required him to work with the industry’s finest artists and director. Given a material written by Dr. Nic Tiongson and a play directed by no less than Soxie Topacio himself, Bembol knew he was in good hands.

However, the challenge for Bembol was to be able to interpret the role of Bishop Damaso, the contemporized character of Rizal’s vicious friar, Padre Damaso. And since the actor had a very vague understanding of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, he relied on his own personal interpretation of the character. By recalling his past experiences with the Jesuit priests at the Ateneo de Manila and his other recollections dealing with pastors and bishops, Bembol was able to give a new twist to the character of Bishop Damaso.

But aside from his role, Bembol also found significant interest in the message of the play, “Noli at Fili is a remarkable play that deals with issues that are important to us now.” Because of the modern plot that allows the story to revolve around vital issues that are essential in our modern society today, Bembol feels that the play will raise the consciousness of the viewing public—and the raise eyebrows of some.

Noli at FIli Dekada 2000 opens July 18 and runs until August 24. Performances are on Fridays and weekends at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For inquiries, call (+63 2) 410 082 or 410 0821 or e-mail petampro@yahoo.com.

Noli at Fili Dekada 2000 (Dos Mil)
July 18 to August 24, 2008
PETA-Phinma Theater
The PETA Theater Center

Photo credit: Jojit Lorenzo