WATCH: A Quick Minute with Nicco Manalo
Nicco Manalo is currently part of Anthony Kim Vergara’s The Boy-Boy and Friends Channel in this year’s Virgin Labfest. His featured stage roles include playing Cyrano in Mula sa Buwan, Willy in ‘Dekada 70, Young Emman in Ang Huling El Bimbo, Sol in 3 Stars and a Sun, Warren in This is Our Youth, and Moritz in Spring Awakening.
Get to know more about him in the quick minute video feature below. It has been condensed and edited.
Hardest thing about being in theater?
I don’t think pwede mo siyang gawin ng ibang paraan. Ibibigay mo lang talaga iyung sarili mo while you’re doing it. As in, ibibigay mo iyung sobra sobra. Minsan sobra, totoo iyun. Minsan sobra talaga iyung binibigay mo, pero there’s no other way.
Biggest play or musical influence?
Spring Awakening. Iyung video ng Spring Awakening sa Tony Awards, sinend lang iyun sa akin. Tapos sabi niya, parang bagay ka dito. Tapos sabi ko, aahh sumisigaw-sigaw lang siya, baka kaya ko iyun. Tapos pareho kaming buhok, so sabi ko, aahh, baka pwede, kaya ko iyun.
If you weren’t in theater, where would you be?
It’s either mag-NGO ako, o magturo ako. Right now, na-eexcite ako na magbahagi sa mga tao.
First theater production you ever saw?
It was Annabelle Broom, the Unhappy Witch. Repertory Philippines. Natakot ako kasi may audience participation.
What got you into theater?
I was a Trumpets Playshop kid. Tapos, naglalaro lang naman ako. But then ‘nung nag-theater ako sa college, sabi sa akin ng professor ko, kapag hindi ka nag-theater, hindi ko pipirmahan iyung clearance mo. Seryoso siya. Jethro Joaquin, I know you’re watching. So after I graduated, nag-audition kaagad ako sa Tanghalang Pilipino after ‘nung workshop.
Best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Hayaan mong bumaliktad ang mundo. Si Mario O’Hara nagsabi sa akin ‘nun.
First stage kiss?
Richard Cunanan. Bro! It was for Dogeaters ng Atlantis.
Ultimate dream role.
I want to play someone famous. Someone historical. Someone na talagang mag-reresearch ako, hindi ko pwedeng dayain.
Last show that made you cry?
Medyo mas iba iyung tama ng Kundiman Party.
Hardest scene you’ve ever performed?
Dahil bago pa ako, hirap na hirap ako sa And Then There Were None ng Spring Awakening. I think isa iyun sa pinaka-tricky na ginawa ko. And iyung monologue ni Cyrano. Pagkatapos ‘nun, ubos talaga ako, pero ang sarap.
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