DEA FORMACIL: A MORE DARING AND STRONGER "MARIA CLARA"....

DEA: AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT "MARIA CLARA"

Looking more deeper at theater actress Dea Formacil, you could entirely feel that she has a class of her own. Acting with finesse and style, Dea also exudes MYSTERY and AWE, a perfect mixture of definitions and feminism that could pass as being 'one Maria Clara'.

"I wanna portray a stronger Maria Clara, not the weak one", Dea told a blogger during one intermission break at the rehearsals of Kanser 2017: The Novel. "But I will maintain her great love for Crisostomo Ibarra- because that's what the play Kanser was all about.

"It's high time for them to see a stronger Maria Clara", Dea further continued saying. "Kasi, lagi na lang napapagsamantalahan ang kahinaan naming mga babae. I want to bring out this time the stronger side of Maria Clara via this updated version of Kanser. I just hope that people can accept this time a non-traditional Maria Clara. There are still lots of people kasi out there who doesn't want to see changes. And I guess, I wanna change that mind set."

Dea also told a blogger who interviewed her that Maria Clara also fought on her own to save lives in the novel based upon the play Kanser. And that was the novel Noli Me Tangere of Dr. Jose Rizal.

"When she entered the convent, that was the time she fought", came Dea's defense on her character of Maria Clara. "She didn't actually committed suicide inside the convent. It was another female character on the novel who committed suicide, not Maria Clara. While inside the convent, Maria Clara continued fighting- for her country and for the greatest man she ever loved- Crisostomo Ibarra."

Meanwhile, Dea felt so proud and happy being directed by her friend, Frannie Zamora in this play.

"What's so good about direk Frannie, he gives you freedom to explore more and wider upon the character you are portraying", Dea said again. "He doesn't dictate or spoon-feed to you on what you're going to do. He lets you invent it on your own- and that, I found out, was more challenging on my capacity as an actress.

"I started it out working with direk Frannie during our Laguna theater days", Dea continued saying. "And eversince, he was always caring and loving as a friend. A very sincere person, too. He has a kind heart and a pure love for his craft. We can manage to separate friendship from work. And that's the best."

And one last set of words from Dea, what's Kanser all about, in her own feelings?

"Napakahalaga ng sinulat na ito ni Dr. Jose Rizal", Dea said in the end. "It tells about the persistence and undying spirit of us, Filipinos. The fight for freedom and liberty. The manipulating power of the rich and powerful. But because of love, one woman by the name of Maria Clara struggled on and inspired one man to carry on. This is our fight, this is our love!"

Very well said, Dea.


(written by robert manuguid silverio)

DEA PORTRAYED THE "SISA" CHARACTER IN LAST YEAR'S "KANSER"