Nelson Morales

Screen to stage: John-Joven Uy shifts from 'Pamilya Sagrado' to 'Sandosenang Sapatos'

Article (news)

Jude Cartalaba

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1732266471061467872674_10163032625369252_6441653798460983028_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="John-Joven Uy as the Shoemaker in Tanghalang Pilipino&#x27;s &#x27;Sandosenang Sapatos.&#x27; Photo from Uy&#x27;s Facebook page"/>John-Joven Uy as the Shoemaker in Tanghalang Pilipino&#x27;s &#x27;Sandosenang Sapatos.&#x27; Photo from Uy&#x27;s Facebook page </div>MANILA -- John-Joven Uy isn&#x27;t new to singing and acting.But according to him, singing was just a hobby at first. &quot;Listening to the radio, buying CDs, watching concerts were my thing; but I don&#x27;t just listen,” he said, adding that he&#x27;s always been fascinated with the music and singing, and how to deliver it with emotions.Today, he stars in Tanghalang Pilipino&#x27;s restaging of its Gawad Buhay 2023 Outstanding Production for Children, “Sandosenang Sapatos,” which runs until December 8, at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex.In the musical, Uy plays the Shoemaker. To celebrate each occasion, he dreams of making shoes for his lame daughter Susie despite her disability.For most televiewers who religiously follow the local hit series “Pamilya Sagrado,” he was Professor Elmer. But before getting joining the cast of the Piolo Pascual-led series, he was Pilosopng Tasyo in Tanghalang Una Obra&#x27;s musical “Ibarra,” based on Jose Rizal&#x27;s novel “Noli Me Tangere,&quot; which also starred Pascual.Uy finished HRM and has a Certificate in Sales and Marketing in the US back in 1988.&quot;I was a former chef during my college days at Wichita State University and a former flight attendant for United Airlines based out of Chicago and SFO,” he recalled.&quot;I wasn&#x27;t introduced to musical theater till I moved to the US. I studied there. My professor convinced me to join a musical theater group.&quot;His first musical production was in Kansas City (1988), where he was featured as Freddy Einsford-Hill in “My Fair Lady.” But, the production he enjoyed the most early on was “Miss Saigon.”He played Thuy in a German production of “Miss Saigon.”&quot;It [literally] changed my life. Met my wife, Meliza Reyes, who was my Kim. I have three boys now, and my eldest Arthur Luis ‘Aris’ has already played The Engineer in ‘Miss Saigon’ Guam,” he beamed.<div>Continuing his musical journey and beyond</div>After musical theater, he was part of PRIMO, an all-male trio with James Uy and Floyd Tena.However, the group members had to go separate ways due to the demands of his job at the Alphaland Corporation as the entertainment director of a private resort.His work in “Ibarra” also paved the way for breaking into the mainstream entertainment circuit, which made him score a role in “Pamilya Sagrado.”Juggling his work in the corporate world may be close to impossible but his training in theater and other service-oriented fields allowed him to stretch his potential as an individual and as an artist.He described his experience while doing the series as tough. “But I had help from one of my best friends, whom I consider as a brother -- PJ (Piolo Pascual), whom I met doing &#x27;Ibarra,&#x27;” he said.&quot;But I have enjoyed every second of that process. A different medium but working with superb actors was a huge help!&quot;To make him effective in balancing his work and passion, he makes sure that whenever he takes on a certain role, he always reads the whole script first.&quot;I ask for the character breakdown. I savor it for a few days by envisioning myself in the character and praying about it. I normally get my answer from up above if it is for me or not.&quot;<div>Dream productions</div>As Professor Elmer, he was an adviser, a defender of truth. He protected Moises (Kyle Echarri) and fought Jaime Sagrado (Tirso Cruz III), leading every rally in the series.His current role as the Shoemaker touched his heart in so many ways and continues to poke into his very core. The two characters also reflect him as a father. &quot;My father is my inspiration. Careful si Tatay na di masasaktan si Susie,&quot; he said of &quot;Sandosenang Sapatos.&quot;As an artist, he doesn&#x27;t want to be boxed or to be typecast to father roles alone. He doesn&#x27;t aim to be the lead, but as much as possible, he wants to explore more roles that would challenge him as an actor or as a performer.In theater, he dreams of doing &quot;Phantom of the Opera,&quot; &quot;Jesus Christ Superstar,&quot; and &quot;Jekyll and Hyde.&quot;&quot;I&#x27;m not picky. I&#x27;m a sucker for a great story and a role that is NOT me and that will help and teach me to be a better person and actor,&quot; he said.His advice to aspiring actors? &quot;Continue to find where your love really is. Singing, acting, production design, costumes, creative, stage or production management. Dig deep into your heart and mind. There are no shortcuts or easy steps. Do your research, do the work. Enjoy the process of learning. We all have our own spotlight. Look for yours and don&#x27;t steal from anyone else&#x27;s.&quot;

John-Joven Uy stars in Tanghalang Pilipino's restaging of 'Sandosenang Sapatos,' which runs until December 8, at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex.

John-Joven Uy stars in Tanghalang Pilipino's restaging of 'Sandosenang Sapatos,' which runs until December 8, at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex.