Dream come true for Al Gatmaitan

GATMAITAN. Opportunity to grow.

We have seen tenor Al Gatmaitan sing in the Philippine Opera Company’s “Ang Bagong Harana,” perform in “Maxie the Musicale” and star in Will Fredo’s “In Nomine Matris,” so when we got an invitation to watch his concert, “In Pursuit of A Dream,” last May 23 at the LRI Design Plaza, we had to be there.

The intimate gathering was treated to a performance by mezzo soprano Clarissa Ocampo (Gatmaitan’s mentor), stage actress Tricia Amper-Jimenez (who sang songs from musicals) and CCP President and pianist Raul Sunico. The most applauded number was Aiza Seguerra and Liza Diño’s first creative collaboration, with Diño dancing the flamenco and Seguerra’s singing “Kiss from a Rose.”

God-given talent

This month, Gatmaitan is traveling to the United States to pursue further studies at the New York University Steinhardt School for Music and Performing Arts. He shares, “Singing is a God-given talent. Performers have a responsibility to give their best.”

It’s been a decade since he lived in Italy for three years to train in opera and acting. He discloses, “I have been praying for an opportunity to study at NYU, so it’s overwhelming. My dream is happening!”

There was a time when Al gave up acting. He explains, “For a year, I wasn’t doing anything. I gained weight. My family has a baking business, and I was supplying pastries. But, at some point, I missed performing and told myself, ‘If I go back, I want to do it for the long haul.’”

Gatmaitan began swimming, dieting and losing weight. He became active in teleseryes, stage plays and films. He enthuses, “Being an artist takes courage, discipline and a lot of sacrifice. I remember my theater professor in Italy. I said I was homesick, and he told me, ‘It doesn’t matter if you eat just one sandwich in a day, as long as you’re doing what you have to do as an artist.’ Now I understand: If you hold on to your dream, your passion will sustain you!”