By Raymart Escopel
FOR six years now, Iloilo Prima Galaw (IPG) continues to fulfill dreams of young artists, discover new talents and inspire people to achieve their goals. Driven by these principles, the said production has become successful in its mission as proven by young Ilonggo talents that it mentored and the world-class stage plays and productions it produced.
To mark its sixth year anniversary this September, IPG will be staging the timeless story of Cinderella. IPG artists will breathe into life the characters of this fairytale come Sept. 3, 4 and 5 at SM City Cinema 6.
IPG new artists will also be joining the casts of this upcoming stage play as they showcase their acting, singing and dancing prowess in a production that will magically turn impossible things into a possibility.
Let’s get to meet IPG’s new artists in this short interview.
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Name: Erl Loraine Quilarto
Age: 19
Educational Level: Fourth Year College
School: West Visayas State University
Course: Bachelor in Special Education with Specialization in Teaching Children with Mental Retardation
Talents: Singing, Dancing, Acting and Creative Writing
Greatest Dream: To have my own album, sing at Broadway and have my songs sang for eternity.
Ambition: To organize and conduct a chorale of children with mental retardation.
Philosophy in life: Everything is relative. We can never live a life we have never lived. Everybody has burdens and that makes everything fair.
Roles in Cinderella: Cinderella, Ball Dancer, Villager
What motivated you to join Iloilo Prima Galaw?
The one that motivated me to join IPG is my dream to perform on stage and inspire many hearts.
How did Iloilo Prima Galaw changed you as a person?
It changed me by making me a systematic and critical person. Whatever I do, I weigh the consequences and aim to never regret anything.
What are the differences and similarities of your character to you?
Cinderella and I have a lot of differences and that makes her a pretty tough challenge, but she is a dreamer like me. I will use that to bring her to life.
How do you manage your time between Iloilo Prima Galaw and your studies?
I study in advance and accomplish my school works on my free time. When I am at school, I focus on our classes and when I am at rehearsals, I concentrate on practicing.
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Name: Nikki Angelli Minsalan
Age: 17
Educational Level: Second Year College
School: St. Paul University Iloilo
Talents: Acting, singing, dancing
Greatest dream: To perform on Broadway and West End
Ambition: To become a United Nations Children’s Fund ambassadress
Philosophy in Life: Change is inevitable.
Roles in Cinderella: Fairy Godmother, Stepmother, Villager, Ball Dancer
What motivated you to join Iloilo Prima Galaw?
As a young child, I was prone into watching IPG plays because my brother used to be a member. Seeing them perform made me realize how much happiness it gives me.
How did Iloilo Prima Galaw changed you as a person?
IPG taught me to push myself to the limit, work hard always and to never settle for mediocrity. It changed me in seeing things in a different perspective. I am a hard worker, both on and off stage. Most of all, IPG changed my attitude. Once you love something, you have to work for it.
What are the differences and similarities of your character to you?
Like the fairy godmother, I like to make other people happy, especially those who are close to me. As a stepmother, I always strive to get what I want and I am very clever.
How do you manage your time between Iloilo Prima Galaw and your studies?
I make sure that I know all my lessons. I also keep a schedule with me. During my free time, I make my school works already.
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Name: Mar Anthony Alimo-ot
Age: 16
Educational Level: First Year College
School: Central Philippine University
Talents: dancing and acting
Greatest Dream: To travel all around the world.
Ambition: To become an engineer
Philosophy in Life: A journey a thousand miles begin with a single step.
Role in Cinderella: King
How did Iloilo Prima Galaw changed you as a person?
It taught me to be the best person that I can be.
What are the differences and similarities of your character to you?
We are both happy and impatient sometimes. The only difference is that the king is very bossy.
How do you manage your time between Iloilo Prima Galaw and your studies?
I study during my vacant time and I give all of my attention during my class. If it’s time for rehearsal, I really try to focus.
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Name: Louise Grace Robles
Age: 20
Educational Level: Fourth Year College
School: West Visayas State University
Talents: Singing, Dancing and Acting
Greatest Dream: To Travel around the world and to meet international theater actors
Ambition: To become a clinical psychologist and a music teacher to children with special needs.
Philosophy in Life: Be at your best in everything you do so that winning will be worthy and loosing will not be regretful.
Role in Cinderella: Cinderella
What motivated you to join Iloilo Prima Galaw?
Myself. Since we were fans of IPG before, my friend who is also a talent of this group and I really made up our minds to audition we watched “The Little Mermaid.”
How did Iloilo Prima Galaw changed you as a person?
IPG taught me the value of discipline because you really can’t perform well if you do not have one. Furthermore, IPG improved my confidence, especially on stage since I was really a shy person before.
What are the differences and similarities of your character to you?
I think what Cinderella and I have in common is that we never give up on what we believe in and we dream of. The only difference is that she is living hers and I am still fighting mine with a hopeful spirit.
How do you manage your time between Iloilo Prima Galaw and your studies?
I prioritize things well. As what Sir D. always emphasizes, if you have problems in school, don’t bring it during rehearsals because it will reflect in your performance. That means, schools is for school and IPG is for IPG.
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Name: Katrina Marie Montero
Age: 20
Educational Level: Fourth Year College
School: St. Anne College of Iloilo
Course: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Talents: Dancing, acting and drawing
Greatest Dream: To perform on Broadway with the big theater group
Ambition: To become an entrepreneur
Philosophy in Life: Hold on to your dreams and work it hard
Roles in Cinderella: Stepmother, Villlager and Ball dancer
What motivated you to join Iloilo Prima Galaw?
Myself. There is something in me that push me to do the things that I love. I asked this to God and He gave this to me. So, I will value this opportunity because I’m blessed.
How did Iloilo Prima Galaw changed you as a person?
IPG taught me to fight for what I believe and believe in my dreams because with God, everything is possible. It also taught me to become a humble person.
What are the differences and similarities of your character to you?
The real me is opposite of my role. I am sensitive to the needs of others. We are similar in the sense that we pursue the things that we want until we achieve it.
How do you manage your time between Iloilo Prima Galaw and your studies?
I set my priorities for the day.
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Name: Lyle George Barrios
Age: 16
Educational Level: First Year College
School: Iloilo Doctor’s College
Course: Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
Talent: Dancing and singing
Greatest Dream: To have a comfortable and peaceful life
Ambition: To be a successful physical therapist
Philosophy in Life: God is bigger than your problems
Role in Cinderella: Prince Charming
What motivated you to join Iloilo Prima Galaw?
I joined IPG because one reason, I love performing.
How did Iloilo Prima Galaw changed you as a person?
IPG made me better person. They helped me to become a responsible and disciplined person. It also helped me in discovering my talents.
What are the differences and similarities of your character to you?
We are both patient and not rushing things especially love.
How do you manage your time between Iloilo Prima Galaw and your studies?
By having a study habit and being responsible.
