A Fil-Am actor’s life: Abe Pagtama

ABE Pagtama

(This is seventh of a series on the struggles and triumphs of Filipino-American actors in Hollywood.)

LOS ANGELES—At 69, Abe Pagtama still goes to auditions, still hoping to get that role.

It helps that Abe, born in Hawaii but raised in Kidapawan, Cotabato province, also does it “for fun.” He endures long commutes, driving from Beaumont, California, (84 miles one way) to LA for an audition. He estimates that he gets to go to auditions about three times a month.

Abe’s story reflects that of many other aspiring actors who come from various parts of the United States—and the world—who try their luck in Hollywood or New York.

Abe may not have yet landed that Hollywood role, one that’s more than “Tenant” on his IMDb page. But Abe happily reported that he just shot a cable company TV commercial with Kevin Nealon.

And he is proud of being in Pepsi’s Super Bowl 2006 commercial, where he plays a convenience store clerk. The memorable commercial features just him, an actress and a bear.

That was the Super Bowl when the controversial Nipplegate happened at the halftime show of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. Abe quipped, “I was upstaged by Janet because of her wardrobe malfunction.”

Abe admitted that in the United States, he’s had more luck with commercials, claiming at least 10 TV spots that were aired nationwide.

He got his SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) card, thanks to the TV series, “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.”

“I was mostly doing background or extra,” he recalled. “But lo and behold, they sent me a script, so I got hired as a principal performer. Because of that, I was allowed to join the union. At that time, it only cost $300 to join.”

Abe has landed more substantial roles in films by Filipino or Fil-Am directors, including Raymond Red’s “Mga Rebeldeng May Kaso,” Mikhail Red’s “Rekorder,” Christopher Ad. Castillo’s “The Diplomat Hotel,” Matthew Abaya’s “Vampariah” and two shorts, Lea Dizon’s “Delikadesa” and Debbie Formoso’s “Nagpapanggap.”

For income, Abe holds several “real” jobs. In the United States, he refers potential customers to a company that installs solar panels. In the Philippines, he works for a real estate company.

He temporarily stopped seeking roles only twice in his life, both times to concentrate on raising his family.

At 17, he returned to the United States. After serving in the US Air Force, Abe took acting classes. Then, he went back to the service, this time in the US Army. When he got out, he sought roles whenever he could.

He worked at the Social Security Administration for 17 years until he retired and actively resumed pursuing his Hollywood dream.

These days, Abe tries his hand at producing. He recently cofounded the Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival (www.lapiff.org).

Excerpts from our talk:

How would you describe your journey as an actor, so far?

In my younger years, it was very exciting, but it was also up and down. I gave up twice. The last time I came back, I was cast in the movie, “The Flip Side.” I decided to keep going. Since then, I’ve been lucky, doing a lot of commercials.

How do you prepare for an audition? Any good luck rituals, etc.?

I don’t have rituals. When I get a call for an audition, I read the instructions, learn my lines and do some research on the character—and have a positive attitude.

What is the most frustrating part of trying to land roles in Hollywood?

The audition process.

How do you handle rejection?

Rejection is part of the game. In the next audition, you might get the role.

Have there been times when you almost gave up?

I did give up twice, only because I had a growing family I had to support. But acting is my passion, so I came back and told myself to just have fun.

Do you, as an actor of color, feel that opportunities for minority actors are improving or getting worse?

Nowadays, actors of color have to create their own opportunities. You can’t wait to let other people cast you. That’s why I started producing.

It’s also one of the reasons why I cofounded the Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival—to create opportunities for Filipino directors, producers and actors. It’s a global outlet for Pinoys and their stories.

What’s your stand on whitewashing—or the practice in which white actors are cast in nonwhite character roles—in Hollywood?

The casting people on those projects are just lazy. There are many qualified ethnic actors in Hollywood.

To people who are planning to pursue acting, what should they prepare for?

They have to understand reality—that there are more than 130,000 card-carrying SAG-AFTRA union members.

They have to go to acting school, do theater and have a flexible job that allows them to get off from work when they have auditions.

E-mail [email protected]. Follow him at https://twitter.com/nepalesruben.