WANLU with puppet Nicolo inquirer photo
Weeks before his flight, Wanlu, a “Talentadong Pinoy” champion, was all geared up for a regional event – the Asean Puppetry Festival, set at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which opened Tuesday and ends today, Thursday.
He had been invited to the fest twice before, but it was his first time to join this year.
Puppeteers and puppet troops from India, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Indonesia participated in the fest as well.
“I feel deeply honored to be the country’s sole representative,” he related. “It’s important for me to be there and to interact with fellow puppeteers from the region. It makes me realize that all our hard work in promoting ventriloquism and puppetry in the country has finally paid off.”
The invite was sent through the Samahan ng Papetirs ng Pilipinas (SSP) and Danny Liwanag who heads Roppets Puppet Troop.
Wanlu planned to bring his two puppets Nicolo and Baby Brian to Kuala Lumpur.
“Nicolo is quite popular [because of the TV5 show “Talentadong Pinoy”], while Baby Bryan is locally made. I hope Baby Bryan will spark foreigners’ interest in Philippine-made puppets,” he said. “Our country can export affordable but high-quality puppets to the world.”
In the fest, he aimed “to show that our country not only produces first-rate puppets, but also first-rate puppeteers. We need to seriously promote the local puppet scene.”
During the fest, he hoped to pick up pointers from our Asean neighbors, too. “I don’t want to limit myself to ventriloquism and marionette artistry. I’d be happy to learn other forms of puppetry – like shadow puppetry.”
He wished to share the knowledge with other practitioners – like his sons Martin and Ivan who go by the stage name “Lunaria Brothers.”
“They joined ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’ a year ago. My sons performed for the Sultan of Brunei with their marionettes recently. I want them to expand their repertoire and hone their skills as well,” he said.
On the TV5 show “Wow Mali,” Wanlu operates Enchong Go, the puppet sidekick of Joey de Leon.
There’s also a new TV show in the works for Wanlu, to be directed by Al Tantay. “It will showcase the talent and artistry of local puppeteers.”
Apart from his regular gigs (for parties and Star Cruises shows), he also conducts basic puppetry workshops for children.
He released his own CD, “Wanlu and His Puppets,” available at Odyssey Music & Video stores in Metro Manila, Dagupan, Pampanga, Cavite and Zamboanga.
E-mail: bayanisandiego@hotmail.com