Makisig Morales portrays Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod on stage

Rhea Manila Santos

<div><img src='' alt='010413-makisig_main.jpg' width='305' height='290' align='left' border='0'>During its first run at the Meralco Theater, the play about the life of the second Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod gave Makisig Morales his first taste of musical theater. It was also Mak’s first time to play a lead role on stage. “<i>Ako yung gaganap ng</i> role <i>na </i>teen Pedro. <i>Sobrang</i> inspiring<i> nitong </i>story <i>na ito kasi makikita niyo yung buhay ni </i>Pedro Calungsod. <i>Makikita niyo kung gaano siya ka</i>-loyal <i>at kung gaano siya ka sobrang bait sa lahat ng taong makakahalubilo niya. Sobrang nakaka</i>-inspire<i> ito. Para ito sa buong </i>family,” he told Push. The musical will have a second run at the Meralco Theater from January 8 to 9.</div><div><br/></div><div>The talented young actor first entered showbiz when he was eight years old via the singing talent show <i>Little Big Star</i>. After that, he won the lead role in <i>Super Inggo</i> which made him a household name.</div><div><br/></div><div>Mak admitted he was very flattered to be offered the role in the play last year without having to go through any auditions. “<i>Kasi kasama</i> family <i>ko sa</i> community<i> ng</i> Couples for Christ. <i>Simula bata pa ako</i> Kids For Christ <i>na ako hanggang ngayon na</i> Youth For Christ <i>na ako. Tinawagan ng</i> CFC<i> si</i> Daddy <i>tapos siyempre nung tinanong kung</i> okay<i> lang ba na ako ang mag-</i>portray <i>ng</i> role<i> ni</i> Pedro,<i> hindi na kami nag-dalawang isip. Siyempre si </i>Pedro Calungsod<i> yan. Kaya tinanggap ko kaagad,</i>” he revealed.</div><div><br/></div><div>The 16-year-old actor said he enjoyed rehearsals for the show. “Usually <i>kasi ang mga</i> play <i>pina</i>-practice <i>yan ng kalahating taon pero ito ginawa namin </i>in three months <i>lang. Kasi ginawa namin yun ng wala pa yung mga kanta kasi ina-</i>arrange <i>pa.</i> Musical <i>kasi ito, puro halos kanta wala masyadong</i> dialogue, <i>konti lang</i>. <i>Mga</i> English songs,” he said.</div><div><br/></div><div>Mak said he was not nervous about going onstage even though it is different form his experience acting in front of the camera. “<i>Parehas lang din naman yung pag-arte kasi umaarte ka pa rin pero sa</i> stage <i>kasi walang mga </i>take two take two.<i> Kung ano yung ginawa niyo diyan, yun na yung makikita kaagad ng tao</i>. So<i> kunwari medyo magkamali man, hindi naman alam ng mga tao yun eh </i>so go <i>lang.</i> First time<i> ko ito mag</i>-lead <i>sa isang </i>musical play <i>pero yung mga ibang </i>member <i>ng</i> cast <i>namin mga </i>college students <i>at mga nagtratrabaho na rin,</i>” he said.</div><div><br/></div><div>Aside from the Meralco theater, Mak has also performed the musical at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and in Cebu (where saint Pedro Calungsod is said to be from).</div><div><br/></div><div>All set to graduate from high school this March from the St. Augustine International School, Mak has already received offers for scholarships from some of the country’s top universities. He said he has a very simple wish for 2013. “<i>Yung maging masaya lang na makasama yung buong </i>family<i> ko. Nagaaral naman ako ng mabuti pero siyempre mas puspusan pa sana</i> and <i>mas maging</i> focused <i>pa ako sa lahat ng ginagawa ko lalo na sa</i> career <i>ko</i>,” he shared.</div><div><br/></div><div>Catch Makisig Morales in <i>Teen Saint Pedro: An Original Musical</i> at the Meralco Theater on January 8 and 9, 2013. Tickets are available at SM Ticketnet outlets.</div>

Makisig Morales portrays Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod on stage | PUSH.COM.PH