The Journey to Bagong Gang Top 8

          Early this year I tried my luck in the entertainment industry lining up in VTRs and Castings, Attending workshops and different trainings fot the skill and talent. One of my acting mentors Direk Lir Dela Cruz once told us in a class that you have to not just wait for the industry to discover you, but also make an effort to let the industry know that you exist. Attend auditions, show them your best and dont lose hope. That same day i tried getting in touch with people i know and asked if there were any auditions on going for me to attend. One of that is Bubble Gang's Audition as they search for the Bagong Gang. It took me hours waiting in line with several rounds of screenings including the acting part. About months after and i heard no news about the result of my audition i did nott really expect i would get in anymore. Until that one day I was enjoying my cup of tea with my "brother" in a cafe in school I recieved a text from my manager that I am included and called for taping in the Top 25 search for the New Recruits.

                  It was then the biggest achievement i had in a span of time auditioning and attending castings. I went on set to get a glimpse of how things do roll in the set of bubble gang.We were put in to blend with the regular cast members of the show . I was assigned to be in boy pick up and one of the Gags segment of the show. Finally with this episode we were  named as casted in the official top 25 hopefuls to be judge and eventually be included in the top 10.

Credits to Bubble Gang Official Facebook Page

                After about 2 months and i really didnt bother anymore if i got in or not because its been toolong already since my last call back. I was in line at a VTR at rainbow casting with my bestfriend that time when i recieved a text from the person who contacted me for bubble gang saying that i got called back for Taping as part of Top 10! I was pretty aware my heart sorta jumped with joy and my body became weak because i couldn't believe it. I was number i think 86 in line almost the whole day during that audition and i was finally part of the Top 10 out of all the auditionees. Being in top 10 will entitle us to being introudced as a semi regular cast member of the gang.

        Before we went to taping our first episode as the Top 10 Bagong Gang Members. We attended a 2 day Intensive acting workshop with Director Leo Martinez. We head theatrical Activities, RSPI excercises for us to be able to use in acting for the different challenges that we will face as we all attempt to do Comedy. Also we were divided to Compete in 2 Teams. Team A where I was together with Joyce Ching, Juancho Trivino, Rhoel Mendoza & Jan Manual. Team B was composed of Maricris Garcia, Denise Barbacena, Arny Ross, RJ Padilla and Abel Estanislao.

              The First Challenge was a non elimination round so all of us still remained to take the next challenge. We were reintroduced as the Final 10 of the Bagong Gang Search.The 2 teams performed only one script on stage in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. We Were given comments on the good points in our performances and also things we need to improve for the next challenges.

Learning my script as i played YayaKikay:)

              The Second Challenge for Bagong gang was all about characterization. Still as 2 teams we were given one script. Some of us had long lines, some only had one line, some didnt have any line.That was the challenge though for us to portray our character well irregardless of the amount of lines that we are going to say. Before we had our take Direk Uro was also nice to give us tips and pointers too while he taught our blockings for the scene.

             In the Third Challenge we were given a chance to act with a bubble gang regular guest Paolo Contis. Still as 2 Teams we were given the same script and this was all about how we will work as a team, supporting each other's character as we act with a regular comedian of the show. In Comedy it was all about how you would deliver your lines and emotion, how you would put in a beat to make it comic.  When this epsode aired what we werent expecting was an elimination. We were not informed during our taping that someone is going to be crossed out from the list. for our Team it was a fellow theater actor and Mr.Pogi Finalist Rhoel Mendoza who was eliminated and for Team B it was a singer Maricris Garcia who was eliminated. It was shocking to know that the last shoot was already the last time well be complete and its gonna be just the 8 of us remaining.

                   The Next episode was a ceasefire, no elimination as we were individually introduced again as we move on in the competition, We werent competing as a team anymore. There I told a short story of how i got into showbiz & Why Bubble Gang's Bagong Gang. Well im technically considered a newbie in show bussiness. I started out in a small role as Gladys in Maynila's Love Rebound since that time i had the idea to Audition. After that episode i was given a chance and did a few cameos in several Teleseryes including ABS CBN's Hit Noontime show Be Careful with My Heart as Maya's Classmate in her training school as a flight attendant. It was around February that I started to Audition and around March or April when i got my first Lead Role in Seventh Stage Production's Three Rats as Nita. The Theater Company is known to train Star Magic's Artist including Xian LIm who played a role int he Last Oedipus Production before he got his role in my binondo girl. It was a pressure since My Role as NIta is far from the ordinary things i do and I was told that it was first It was last portrayed by the known actress Tetchie Agbayani. I was to stage in a show together with their in house Theater Actors Marc Alcala & Vince Ricafrente, PBB Teens Alec Dungo, Jai Agpangan, My Leading Men were Yves Flores & Cosmopolitan Model Mehran Khaledi. In the journey I also got my Lead Roles in independent films as Jen in Magbalik and in my first Full Length Comedy Film Pangkoy ong as Cassandra. If having experience in Comedy was the question i was honest to tell them that i am proud to do a role in a comedy indie film. Then We were asked Why bubble gang? If you watched that episode you will be hearing me saying that Bubble gang really relieved my stress from sleepless nights as when i was a student. So now that i am given the opportunity i would also like to lighten up the mood of the viewers with me acting as to how the stars made me feel better when i was the one watching.

Photo Credits to Arbie Victorino via Facebook

                 After they reintroduced the Top 8 Bagong Gang Contenders, we were all back in the competition. We were given the Challenge on how we will deliver comedy and experience both roles of a script. We were given one script composing of two characters and as a pair we portrayed and switched roles. Sad to say I wasnt Lucky to continue after this episode as I got crossed out in the competition together with Jan Manual. Even if i was removed from the competition I am still happy that I was part of the segment Bagong Gang as i was also able to learn a lot in my field. Comedy isnt easy to do, youll often find some artist saying that its easier to make people cry than to make people laugh. This is still not the end for me as i will just go back to chasing my dream and looking for more opportunities to show everyone what ive got and prove myself to many. I will still Act, in theater, indie films, and even model i hope if given a chance. I will still continue to share my passion for the line of arts. You can still catch me or get in touch with me in my next projects and get updated through facebook. I wish all the Bagong Gang Contenders left all the best of luck and Thank You for all the lessons and experience. Until we meet again! Being in Top8 was a really great achievement ,it may not be my time yet but i know god has better plans for me ,its just so Worth it. Please do continue to Support me in my next projects!:)

XOXO

Nicole

Beauty Review: Clinique Anti- Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion

        Pimples, acne, dark spots and all other issues in facial care that most teens encounter growing up. Having pimples may tend to make a person upset, some lose their self confidence too.Growing up i've tried a lot of things to prevent pimples, wasted my money on different astringents before finally arriving on something thats right for my skin.About a month ago ive posted on my instagram a bottle of Clinque's Anti-Blemish Solution i bought to try as it came highly recommended by a friend.

            Since i started out making my way in the entertainment industry. Pimples appeared more often due to stress, exhaustion and sleeping late as i come home late from shoots. In a month using the solution I've seen great efficient results. My pimples didn't appear as often, those big ones that exists , easily dried up, redness been reduced and until most slowly disappeared

How to Use.

    1. Wash your face with water and the facial wash right for your skin type.

   2. Dry off excess water with a towel.

   3. Take a cotton ball or face pad , hold it to the opening of the bottle and tilt to absorb clarifying lotion

   4. Apply on to your face in an upward direction.

    5. Do this two times a day in the morning after you take a shower and at night before you go to bed. Before applying your moisturizer.

            Clnique's Clarifying Lotion acts like a toner. It helps in reduction of pimple redness, dark spots and keeps the bacteria from spreading in other areas of the face.It contains Salacylic Acid that acts as an exfoliator to help remove dead skin cells. 

            You can get a 200ml bottle of Clinique Clarifying Lotion at any Clinique branch in the Metro for Php 1580 . Ive used mine for almost a month now and haven't finished a quarter of a bottle. So i can say the price is right and surely delivers good results in a short period of time.

Feel free to comment down and link your reviews too or anything you wanna read.

XOXO

Nicole:")

     

Behind the Scenes:Magbalik

 

        Named after the hit song of Callalily, Magbalik. Directed by the band's drummer Lemuel Belaro. The film is a project he made with his production team Reverse Gravity Productions. The team are all students of Mowelfund Film Institute known to train and help the best directors in the industry.

Who is Jen?......

         Well thats what everybody should watch out for.She maybe someone like you .Maybe someone you already know, someone you've met or someone youll encounter in your life. I am sure you'll be learning something from her, maybe a wake up call especially to those in a relationship.

Leading Lady....

            Yes! I am already a leading lady in an indie film. It took time for me to think  what attack / effort i should put in acting and portraying my role. As the leading lady I had to touch the hearts of the women and the men whos gonna watch the film.They'd have to see some attachment to my character and the relate to the things revolving around her. Its been a good challenge for my acting career and im pretty sure i did well.

Standby.....Sound Rolling....Camera Rolling...

3-2-1......ACTION!

        Apart from acting in the film i also contributed well using what i learned in college by helping the production. Attempted to do make up especially on some scenes. Just like how things are done in my OJT in one of GMA's Productions . I was glad they allowed me to help, felt like i was not just an actress for the film but a part of the whole Team Magbalik.

Squashy......
        It was my first time working with a dog actor but what's amazing is that he really does play his role in the scenes well. Personally trained and taken care of by Direk Lem.Squashy played the role of happy an important factor in the story.

               Even if squashy is found either so hyper or sleepy in between takes, he still acts well with his scenes.the sweetest chihuahua ive worked with.

                 This caps off what i wanted to share with you in my experience on the set of Magbalik. Lets all Pray All will go well with their plans for the movie. I hope it gets through as a finalist for one of the categories of the Upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival. Again Thank you Team Magbalik ,Reverse Gravity Productions(Leizl Banci, Joseph Saluya, David Ca) and Direk Lemuel Belaro for trusting me for this project. Congratulations and all the Best in your field. I hope well have the next project soon:)

XOXO

Nicole

Your Passion Worth Fighting For

                 Sining . Maaring sa pagguhit, pagsusulat ,musika o pagarte at pagtatanghal. Ilan na lamang ba ang maituturing mo alagad ng mga sining na ito? Ilan na lamang ba ang makukuha mong kakanta, susulat, aarte "for the love of the craft"? Nakakalungkot isipin minsan na kinakailangan isang tabi ng iba ang passion kasi kailangan gumawa ng paraan para umangat sa buhay. Ilan kaya ang mga nasabihan na "Walang pera dyan sa ginagawa mo itigil mo na yan " o kaya naman " Wala kang mapupuntahan diyan tigil tigilan mo na yang pangarap mo"? Nakakalungkot isipin alam kaya nila na hindi madali gumawa ng kanta, hindi madaling tumayo sa harap ng madaming tao at magperform? hindi madali na magsulat ng isang makabuluhang libro o likhang panitikan. It takes skill, it takes training and passion to be able to pull off a good performance and a masterpiece. It takes only the best to make it through.

               Paano ka magiging "best" kung isusuko mo ung sinasabi mong "passion"? Subok lng ng subok, ksi kung naniniwala ka na "meant to be"mangyayari naman talaga un eh hindi lang siguro sa lalong madaling panahon kasi mangyayari un sa tamang panahon. Madaming pagsubok na dadating, karamihan dito ibababa ka and will try to brainwash you to quit with your passion. Sana nga lang ganun katindi ang "passion" na meron ka para yun mismo ang maging inspiration mo para magtrabaho mabuti at wag sumuko sa pagabot ng pangarap mo.Kung masaya ka naman at pinapasaya ka ng "passion" mo then ano ang rason para hindi mo tahakin ang daan na yun? Kung magpapadala ka sa sasabihin ng iba at isusuko mo ang bagay na pinaka gusto mo at nagpapasaya saiyo. Sabihin na lamang natin na tatahakin natin ang daan na sinabi nilang tahakin mo. Ano na kaya ang gagawin mo pagkatapos mo na magawa yun para sa kanila? Babalikan at babalikan mo yung gusto mo, pero kasi minsan baka kapag binalikan mo huli na ang lahat. Ang tanging masasabi mo nalang sa sarili mo  "Sayang, sana dati naipaglaban ko".

Para sa mga nangangarap maging Manunulat
       Ang pagsulat ay hindi basta basta, maraming bagay na kailangan pagtuunan ng pansin bago ka makabuo ng isang malikhaing kwento. Una kailangan mo muna isipin kung ano ang espasyong sakop ng iyong kwento, kung anong klaseng mga bagay tao o hayop ang mayroon dito, kung paano sila gumalaw at magreact sa mga magaganap na sitwasyon. Isang pagsasaliksik at diskurso ang uunahin mo , pagkatapos ay para mailapat ang iyong kwento ay gagawin mo ang mundong iyong nakita sa iyong imahinasyon para makabuo ng isa pang dimensyon para sa iyong storya. Tsaka ka palang maglalapat ng mga karapat dapat na salitang magbibigay ng supporta sa kwento at character. magiging komplikado masyado kung iisa isahin ko pa ang proseso pero ang nais k olamang sabihin ay hindi siya madali at hindi ka basta basta makasulat lang. Kailangan may puso din o may parte sa iyong sarili ang nakakabit sa iyong materyal. Marming nangangarap maging manunulat, journalist at iba pa. Pero iilan lang ang nakakapasok sa industriya. Hindi rin naman rason ung hindi mo pagpasok sa industriya para itigil mo ang nais mo sa pagsulat. Marami pa ang pinto na bubukas para magbasa ng iyong likha. Timing lang, Sulat lng ng Sulat. Sa tamang panahon mangyayari ang lahat para sa iyo. Huwag kayong magsisi na pinili niyo ang kursong iyan kung iyan talaga ang gusto niyo at nasa puso ninyo.

Para sa nangangarap maging parte ng produksyon
       Marami ang maaaring gawin para maging parte ng isang produksyon. Mahirap makapasok sa mga produksyon pero apply lng ng apply at pagnabigyan na ng opportunity wag mo na itong palampasin. Kasi minsan isang beses lang kumakatok ang magagandang opportunity. Marami din division meron ang isang produksyon pero mas mainam na gawin ay piliing matutunan ang trabaho ng lahat. Pano? eh di magsimula ka sa pagiging assistant ng lahat. Ipakita mo sa kanila kung ano ang kaya mo gawin mamamalayan mo nlng nandun ka na pala.

Para sa mga nangangarap sa larangan ng Musika.
          Maaring bilang ikaw ang magsusulat ng kanta o ikaw ang kakanta, pero maaari din namang ikaw ang susulat ng sarili mong kanta at maglalapat ng musika para dito.Karaniwan may napapanuod ako sa mga pelikula at teleserye na mga eksenang, Ang isang anak mayaman, nahihilig sa musika at gustong tahakin ang mundo na ito pero ang kanyang mga magulang nais siyang maging abogado. Aminin marami tayo napapanuod na ganyan, pero tingin ko nangyayari din ito sa kahit sino na nagnanais maging singer o musikero. Anung kailangan gawin? eh di kanta lng ng kanta, kung gusto mo magsulat eh di sulat lng ng sulat. pero siyempre kailangan din may training kailangan din hinahasa mo ung galing mo kaya nga may iba't ibang trainign school na kaya ka iboost at turuan. Isa na dito ang Center for Pop Music Philippines. Dito marami ako nakasama sa pagsubok at pagaaral sa pagkanta, bukod sa napakagaling magturo ng head coach nila na si Coach Prince Kho, kasama na sa training niya ang pagboost up sayo at paginspire na ituloy mo kung ano pinapangarap mo. It takes the right mentor to succeed din sa kung ano ang plano mo para sa pangarap mo. at ang tamang tao na paniniwalaan mo. kasi ang mundo ng musika showbiz din yan. Tiyaga tiyaga lng sa pagkanta at musika darating din ang panahon na may makakadiskubre sa talento mo. Sabi nga noon saakin nung bass guitarist ng Callalily na si Aaron Ricafrente "tiyaga ka lang ituloy mo lang yan,"

Para sa mga nangangarap maging Artista.
        Para maging artista ka you have to be an artist. Ang pagaartista hindi siya tungkol sa pagiging glamorosa. mahirap na bagay kung tutuusin kasi ang dami mo kailangan isakripisyo. Una kailangan mo magbigay ng napakaraming effort at oras para patuloy na matutunan ang pag arte kasi hindi naman ito basta basta kung gusto mo talagang maging magaling na artista. kinakailangan ng effort para makaramdam ka at maramdaman mo kung ano ang hinihingi ng iyong karakter. Habang hinahasa mo ang iyong kakayahan sa pagarte isabay mo narin ang pagsusubok na makakuha ng mga role at maipakita ang kakayahan mo. siguro sa dami ng naghahangad na maging artista mas magiging maliit ang pagkakataon para sa mga baguhan na nangangarap. Pinakamahirap na siguro ang magsimula sa industriya ng entertainment kaya kailangan best effort lagi ang pinapakita mo. Pero kapag naman naiapak mo na ang iyong mga paa papasok sa mundong ito mas mahirap pa ang manatili sa industriya. Lahat ng mata nakatingin na sayo, bawat galaw mo ay binabantayan. Kaya tamang paguugali lamang ang mayroon ko ugali ng isang artist, hindi ng isang artista. Professional lang alam mo ang iyong hangganan at alam mo dapat ang iyong responsibilidad bilang Artist. Sa pagdaan ng panahon di mo maiiwasan ang batikos at marami pang mga bagay, pero nasa saiyo parin iyon kung pano ka dapat magbibgay ng reaksyon, Alam mo naman kung ano ang totoo sa sarili mo. Ilan pa lamamng yan at base sa aking mga nararanasan sa maikling panahon na tinatahak ang daan ng industriyang ito alam ko marami pa na mga pagsubok na mas mahirap ang kailangan lampasan. Kakayanin, bsta passion, basta may puso naman kakayanin hindi ba? Para sa pangarap. Para sa mga kapwa ko nangangarap magsimula sa industriyang ito tanungin niyo muna ang inyong mga sarili kung bakit at paano niyo gusto tahakin ang mundong ito. Kahit papaano dapat may kakaunting plano at back up na plano kang nakahain para sa buhay mo.

                  Lahat naman siguro hindi madali sa umpisa. Lahat kailangan may timing. Lahat ng bagay nangyayari ng may rason, di man natin alam ngayon kung anong rason balang araw sa pagdating ng panahon malalaman rin natin."Never Give up! No Pain No Gain" lang sa lahat ng bagay. Basta gusto mo , mahal mo ,masaya ka eh di go for it! Yung Pasion and love for the craft mismo anf magdadala sayo sa pinapangarap mo. Keep on chasing for the dreams everyone. everything may just be the start, It is you who will be the means to the end, so if you stop chasing your dream it is also you who will stop from making it happen"

                 I guess ill stop here. Thoughts just overflowing, im just so happy & inspired i just wanna share things to all of you:) I hope you got something worth it:)

Take Care Everyone!

XOXO NICOLE