Underutilized talents needed to beef up acting pool
QUITE A number of viewers have been complaining that some leading teleserye talents are over-exposed on TV, going from one series to another with hardly any chance to think up fresh characterizations. These ubiquitous talents who are too busy for their own good include Cherry Pie Picache, Jean Garcia, Eula Valdez and Gina Pareño.
Seen one way, their being so “in demand” for teleseryes is a compliment to their acting ability, effectivity and versatility. But, even versatile performers run out of creativity and vitality, so a time away from the cameras to rest, take stock and recharge is definitely in order.
Who can replace them, at least for the next few months? It’s encouraging to note that we don’t lack for other character actresses who can come up with interesting performances on TV. At the moment, the gifted likes of Amy Austria, Alice Dixson and Lorna Tolentino are back in thespic harness again, and viewers are benefiting from their engaged and involved portrayals.
Some months ago, singers Isay Alvarez and Dulce added to the “viewability” of “Juanita Banana.” Before that, Mitch Valdes made one of her rare TV appearances on Regine Velasquez’s “musical soap” last year, and similarly delighted viewers with her antic and informed portrayal.
Major concern
Perhaps other singers like Kuh Ledesma, Monique Wilson and Pat Castillo can also be persuaded to give TV acting a go? There are so many teleseryes being produced these days that the lack of “fresh” (not overexposed) talents has become a major concern, so singers who act can beef up the acting pool.
Incidentally, some TV insiders admit that the talent squeeze is affecting other areas of production, like scriptwriting. Quite a number of TV scriptwriters are already “written out” (translation: depleted and exhausted), so even new writers have had to be conscripted to keep the supply of scripts coming.
Other encouraging developments include the return to teleserye acting of veteran actresses like Lollie Mara and Nova Villa.
Lollie is currently playing the mother of Zoren Legaspi in “Nita Negrita,” a relatively new series about a really black-complexioned girl who is razzed and harassed to the melodramatically breaking point by the many racists around her. For her part, Nova portrays a kind but sickly woman in the same soap, a departure from her usual sitcom persona.
Their male counterparts are also being kept busy by the booming teleserye trade, which has practically become a sub-industry of the small screen.
Ever the reliable performer, Ronaldo Valdez is tightening the dramatic screws on “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin,” while Eddie Garcia has just made his appearance on “Babaeng Hampaslupa” as the latest nemesis of Susan Roces and Alice Dixson. The plot feistily coagulates!
