No letting go, Aicelle Santos says after stage debut
Published On: March 07, 2014, 11:13 AM
Updated On: March 18, 2020, 10:54 PM
Kapuso singer Aicelle Santos is now making a splash in the world of theater.
After her critically-acclaimed performance in the musical, Katy, she now shines bright as she breathes life into the character of Aileen in the musical, Rak of Aegis.
Part of PETA’s 46th season, Rak of Aegis is a musical that features the songs of the iconic ‘90s band, Aegis.
The rock-comedy musical celebrates the resilience of the Filipino spirit amidst the tragic events surrounding Typhoon Ondoy.
In the play, Aicelle Santos plays Aileen, a young mall promodizer in search of love and fame in an ever-changing world.
Aicelle described the experience as surreal. She said, “Iba ‘yung experience kasi ‘yung set namin may baha. Iba rin (ang) mag-musical. Birit na birit ka. Napakasayang experience to be onstage again with Ate Isay [Alvarez], Robert Sena, Cacai Bautista and many more. Napakagaling nila at tuwing kaeksena ko sila ay natututo ako onstage.”
How different is her theatrical experience from her usual performances on television?
Aicelle answered, “It’s very different kasi ‘yung months of rehearsals niyo, sobrang hirap, especially for me dahil hindi naman talaga ako actor."
“Pag nakikita mo sa stage ‘yung mga reaction ng mga tao, mare-realize mo na ‘Wow, may nagawa ako’. Ibig sabihin naapektuhan sila. ‘Yun ‘yung kakaibang experience talaga sa teatro than singing on TV,” she added.
Aicelle further explained, “When you sing on TV, may audience ka but you perform more for the camera. Ito talaga kahit ano’ng gawin mo, kapag nagfe-fake ka, malalaman ng audience. ‘Yun din ‘yung challenge. Bukod sa pagkanta, kailangan totoo ka doon sa character mo.”
“Hindi ko iiwan ang teatro, lalo na ngayon na nagsisimula ako. Ang saya lang din ng nade-develop mo na disiplina and ‘yung mga nakikilala mo na eventually, nagiging kaibigan mo na rin. ‘Yung learning na hindi mo mababayaran at makukuha sa kahit anong school, ‘yun ‘yung babalik-balikan mo,” she stated.
Catch Aicelle Santos on Rak of Aegis until March 9, and on Sunday All Stars every Sunday noon on GMA.
-Text by Samantha Portillo, GMANetwork.com