JERALD Napoles and Nicco Manalo call themselves “batang teatro.” They saw each other at the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) in Tanghalang Pilipino after they finished college.

They were constantly trying to snag even just a bit role for the theater productions of Tanghalang Pilipino then.

“Passion kasi namin ni Nicco na mag-teatro,” shared Jerald. “So every year, we assess what we did. Sometimes, sabi namin, okay na siguro, na-experience na natin gawin ang teatro.”

Nicco, for his part, also recalled, “Sabay kaming humihiga sa carpet at nangangarap kahit bawal duon,” Nicco said. “Pinapangarap lang namin dati ang ginagawa namin ngayon. Kumakain kami sa carinderia ng isang ulam lang at hati pa kami.

“Nagsimula kaming nangarap ng malaki dati. That was in 2007. To be able to do this with Je, that’s the best part of this. Magawa namin together and ma-share namin sa inyo.”

“Tuwing magkakasama kami, we lift each other up. We encourage one another kung saan namin gustong pumunta. Lagi kaming magkakasama. We were there to build each other’s courage.”

Jerald met Nicco during the second Virgin Labfest in 2007. “Tried and tested play at CCP,” Nicco said. “Ang habol lang namin noon, basta makasama lang kahit konti lang ang linya.

“Naabutan talaga namin na pupunta sa audition, pipila ka, maghihintay. Kung natanggap ka, sasabihin na agad sa ‘yo. Or siguro sa next project ka na lang.

“Naabutan namin na hopeful ka pagdating mo sa lugar, pero after the audition, rejected ka. Hopeless ka. Kailangan uplift mo ang sarili mo ‘pag nangyari ‘yun. Lipat ka ulit.

“‘Yung gutom na naramdaman namin noon, nire-remind namin ang isa’t isa, maliit o malaking bagay, magkasama kami.”

Jerald was given a comedy role onstage in the musical, Magsimula Ka. Thanks to theater couple Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez. That gave Jerald a good break.

Today, Jerald and Nicco are still together but apparently in better times. They are starring together in director JR Reyes’ horror-comedy, Pagpag 24/7, that also casts Nikko Natividad, Danita Paner and veteran actor Dindo Arroyo.”

“Maliit o malaking bagay, from 2007, nandito pa rin kami ni Nikko,” said Jerald. “It was such a confirmation of our dreams before. Today, magkasama na kami sa Pagpag 24/7.”

Admittedly, Nicco felt disheartened during the pandemic when no work was coming in. “I was planning to move out,” he said. “May mga kinausap na akong kaibigan sa Hong Kong Disneyland at the Universal Studios sa Singapore.

“I was thinking, baka hanggang du’n na lang ako dito sa Pilipinas. But I need to look for a job and I need to survive. But konti pa. Ayaw talaga ng katawan ko. Grateful ako talaga sa mga chances na dumating.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio