Direk Joey Reyes: 'Dahil Kay Tony Espejo, Nagkaroon Ako Ng Career'

Jose Javier Reyes, one of the country's most acclaimed and prolific creative forces, levels fulsome praise and words of gratitude at Gantimpala Theater Foundation founder and artistic director Tony Espejo, in his tribute to the recent Natatanging Gawad Buhay! awardee. Direk Joey is joined onstage by two other accomplished people who had their start with Mr. Espejo, actor-directors-writers Dindo Angeles and Cesar Cosme (Bro. Willie to Isko Salvador's Brod Pete in Ang Dating Doon, or don't you remember?) Mr. Espejo, one of the pioneers of contemporary Philippine theater, accepts his trophy looking frail, but reveals a mind still sharp with detail, wit and vision in his short speech.

From the Natatanging Gawad Buhay! citation: A titan of contemporary Philippine theater, Tony Espejo is one of the pioneers of theater-in-education through his mainstreaming of the Four Classics of Philippine Literature and other masterpieces of world literature in the repertoire of Bulwagang Gantimpala and the Gantimpala Theater Foundation. He has mentored hundreds of now-popular and multi-awarded actors and technical theater practitioners and has directed hundreds of plays at the CCP, Metropolitan Theater and other venues in Metro Manila and the regions.
Take note: Mr. Espejo is already one of the pillars of local theater, but still he reiterates in his speech how “we [theater artists] are all diamonds in the rough,” ever in need of learning and constant honing. The mark of a true artist, I must say--and quite possibly the secret to his long-haul success. Bravo!