Q & A WITH VINCE TANADA: "I WAS SIMPLY LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT TIME & PLACE"

vince: half-naked, and the door "half-closed"

A FRIEND WAS SIMPLY LOOKING FROM FAR-AWAY, NOT WANTING TO DISTURB HIS INNATE PASSION FOR THE ARTS AND THE COMFORT HE FEELS FROM HIS FRIENDS AND ALLIES...

BUT A FRIEND WOULD ALWAYS CHOOSE TO BE THERE, NO MATTER WHAT. IF HE APPROVES OR NOT, THE FINAL SAY WOULD ALWAYS BE ON THAT PERSON WHO OPENS HIS DOOR, SHARES HIS LIFE, TEACHES YOU THE RIGHT SIDE OF THINGS.

AND IF THE TIME COMES THAT A FRIEND HAS TO GO-AWAY AGAIN, HE WOULD NOT CARRY A HEAVY HEART. HE WOULD ALWAYS BE GLAD TO KNOW, HE HAD BEEN THERE WITH 'HIM' FOR SOME TIME.

THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE QUESTIONS TO A FRIEND'S SINCERITY,- TO THAT FRIEND WHO LOOKS-UPON FROM FAR-AWAY. THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE EYEBROWS GOING-UP, AND SNEAKING STARES THAT LOOKS NAUGHTY, OR, LITTLE WHISPERS OF UNKNOWN DELIGHT.

BUT A FRIEND WON'T CARE ANYMORE. NOT JUST NOW, PERHAPS.

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IN ONE OF THOSE RUSHING BREAKS FROM A PERFORMANCE OF VINCE TANADA'S "RAIN" TRILOGY AT SM FAIRVIEW, HE MANAGED TO GRANT ONE BLOGGER AN AMBUSH INTERVIEW. AND HERE IT WENT:

the play OBRA NI JUAN in Dumaguete City last March 8, 2018

ROBERT: Obra Ni Juan will have its final performance on march 25, how would you describe the experience and the journey of your latest theatrical masterpiece Obra Ni Juan?

VINCE: Obra Ni Juan is the most successful play of Philippine Stagers Foundation. Naka-500 shows kami, marami kaming napuntahang mga lugar. Nakarating kami sa Malaybalay, Bukidnon, and many parts in the Visayas region. Nakabalik din kami ng Dumaguete City this year, and I feel good because for me, I termed Dumaguete City as our catch basin. Doon ko gine-gauge kung gaano ka-succesful ang play ko. The last time we were there at Dumaguete was in 2012 pa. And this year, nakabalik kami doon..... So, both Box-Office and critically, successful ang Obra Ni Juan.  It was acclaimed by many theater critics. nakuha namin pareho ang box-office potential ng play and at the same time, the Critics' rave.

vince with bernardo bernardo (r.i.p.)

ROBERT: I saw you at the last night of wake of theater icon Bernardo Bernardo, And I knew, BB was among those people you deeply respected. What can you say about his sudden passing?

VINCE: We were in Naga City when I heard of his passing. I was really sad. We're supposed to work together in the play Popular pero hindi natuloy kasi nagkaroon ng conflict sa movie niyang Imbisibol. But since then, we're always interacting on Facebook. If you'd just see our hundreds of Private Messages at Messenger, ang dami. We have so many plans na hindi natuloy. Ang dami dapat naming gagawin pa... But you see, he's in a better place now. he is now an angel for all of us.

vince with his stagers

ROBERT: Every year, the PSF Summer Fest is one of the most-awaited events in Summer. What can we expect this time?

VINCE: We will have Inter-Collegiate play competition this time from various Colleges & Universities. The Summer fest is open to various Colleges & Universities. That's why, this year, there will be 3 rounds of competitions. One round for the Stagers, another round for the Acting Workshop participants this year and the third round for Inter-Collegiate participants. That's why, we'll be having more playdates of shows this Summer of 2018. More exciting but more fulfilling for me. And yes, I will direct all the plays for the Stagers and the workshop participants.

ROBERT: It's very seldom that you open-up in a performance. And what can you say about this: I was among those who cried when you revealed onstage the story of your tragic love affair.

VINCE: I guess, I was simply looking for the right time and place. For me to be able to do it, it took me time. I had to do it, so people will stop asking questions. And I guess, my story inspired a lot of young individuals, most of them students, about the real meaning of LOVE, and the fact that exists na walang FOREVER.

ROBERT: The quality of your theatrical performances are already at par with international standards. And your voice plus your your talent, Vince, can definitely land you in a Broadway Musical like Miss Saigon. Any plans of going international this time around, Vince? This is my last question.

VINCE: My schedules are sobrang tight. Noon pa dapat, pero hindi talaga kinaya ng schedules ko, being the Artistic Director of PSF. There had been many offers, but 'yun nga, my schedules didn't permit. Anyway, on March 25, a production outfit from the United States are gonna' be there to watch us perform. Yeah, there are plans of a U.S. tour this time... Then on April 21 to 22, I will be hosting the Asean Theater Festival, this is in cooperation with NCCA (National Comission for Culture & the Arts), and the PSF will be joining the festival, too. You guys will hear more about this soon.

ROBERT: Thank you very much, Vince.

VINCE: Thank you, too, Robert.



------------end of interview--------------

vince and his triumphant smile