This week, Herman meets Arthur Acuna and his beautiful wife Maritina Romulo for a candid interview about love, acting and the show business. We also talk a little bit about Justin Bieber.
Arthur Acuna
Arthur Acuna is a New York based stage and screen actor, he has appeared in numerous stage productions in the US and in the Philippines, and in several popular American TV series. His latest endeavour is 'The Kitchen Musical', a music-dance-drama production in which he takes on the role of Harry Shaw, a General Manager in a high class restaurant and a confidant to the lead character Maddie.
Maritina Romulo
Maritina Romulo is Arthur's charismatic partner. She is the Variance Films' Outreach Ambassador and one of her recent projects include a song and dance performance in the Philippine Consulate and United Nations' stage in New York City. Maritina Romulo is a veteran in Theatre and the TV/Film industry and she strives to embody every character that she plays. She also believes in staying true and helpless to the music of her own unique humanity.
---Start of Interview---
Herman: Good afternoon Arthur and Maritina, thank you so much for spending time with Popconversation, we... well, actually it's just me, but I like to use 'we' because it makes my blog feel more important. Anyways, I really appreciate your taking some time to talk to me :)
Arthur and Maritina: It's a pleasure meeting you Herman :)
Herman: Authur, you're my favorite character in The Kitchen Musical. You're sharply dressed and you look like THE BOSS. Mr Bossman, please tell the readers a little bit about yourself.
Arthur: Sure :) Well, I work and live in 2 countries in 2 different continents, New York and Manila, together with my wife, Maritina. We do plays, TV and film, and my last film, "Nino", won several awards, and I managed to clinch the Best Supporting Actor position.
Maritina and I have also acted together in films before, there was one time where we made a cameo as husband and wife, that was really interesting!
Herman: Let's talk about love. How did you guys meet? Was it just like in the movies?
Arthur: Haha, it was quite an artistic setting. We were actually destined to be together 3 years before we even actually met each other in person. We were both married then but we had a common friend that thought Maritina and I would get along very well and that we had to meet each other. Nothing happened until a year into our divorces when the friend of ours finally got me and Maritina to meet each other in person and it was love at first sight.
Herman: That's beautiful :) Excuse me, I have to make some calls to my friends and ask them if they have anyone that they think I should meet.
Speaking of friends, I have 3. One of them is an aspiring actor/performer. Please share your wisdom :)
Arthur: Follow your bliss, you've got to follow that which makes you happy :) Just keep pursuing it and the Universe will help you, extending its hands around you and making sure you get what you want.
The journey might not be easy but there's no better feeling in the world than acheiving what you set out to do.
Maritina: Studying the arts has helped me a lot personally. I've studied in various schools in New York and Chicago, and when I do perform, I apply all that I've learnt. It is the best way to prepare yourself regardless whether you're a actor, singer or dancer.
But more importantly, you would have to really enjoy what you are doing, to find it really fun to study a song, role or character. Once you adopt that perspective, it will no longer be work to you.
Herman: There was one singer that sang a song that went like this,
"Remember my name,
Fame!
I'm going to live forever,
I'm going to learn how to fly,
High!"
I don't really recall her name... Is she still alive? And if so, did she finally learn to soar like bird? Please tell our readers about the dangers of pursuing a career in showbiz with the singular focus of being famous.
Maritina: It's not about being the biggest star, it's about enjoying what you're doing that's really important. If you become famous along the way, good, but if you don't, then so be it.
Arthur: You don't get fame, it's given to you. I don't recommend that people take up acting for the glitz and the glamour because integrity is really important and you cannot compromise your whole being just for fame. Fame is not the end result, and it's not a real sense of satisfaction that you can take along with you.
Herman: *nods in agreement* Being a performer means that you'd have to be in front of an audience regularly, how do you overcome the jitters?
Maritina: I use a technique called 'Place', it's something you learn in method acting. You see the place where you're at and what the scene is, and you bring yourself into the scene and get absorbed in it. Alternatively, you can concentrate on your scene partner and you'll start to be less self-concious.
Herman: I'm alone most of the times.
Maritina: Then you should try focusing on your intention :) A little stage fright can be a good thing, you need to learn how to channel it and use it to improve your performance.
Herman: I see :) Arthur and Maritina, you know what else gives me a tingly feeling inside? Justin Bieber. Do you have the Bieber Fever?
Arthur: He's fun, he seems to really appeal to his demographic. He's a megastar because the public watches him a lot.
Maritina: I'm not very farmiliar with him, but I think he must be good. He also keeps it clean, not obscene at all. Is he popular here?
Herman: I am one of his many tween fans.
Arthur and Maritina, it's been a true pleasure talking to you, you're wonderful people and on behalf of the Popconversation team and myself, I'd like to thank you for you time and wish you all the best in everything that you do.
---End of Interview---
The Kitchen Musical:
Watch Arthur Acuna in "The Kitchen Musical", the first international musical television series produced in Singapore for an international audience.
The 13 one-hour epidsode series is set to launch this October and will be aired in 16 countries. Singaporeans can catch it on AXN.
Shoutouts:
All the lovely cast members of The Kitchen Musical
Thank you for the Invite:
PR Communications
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