REUBEN LAURENTE'S Rama Hari Auditons (2023)

Grateful in All Circumstances.

At 54, I told myself to remain unfazed and undaunted, face my fears, and just do the things that I believe would make me grow as a person and as an artist. At 54, I have become unapologetic to push the envelope and just do it because I don't want to live a life of regret. So I submitted my audition video for Rama Hari, A beautiful aural and visual theater piece by our National artists, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Ma'am Alice Reyes (dance), and the late greats Bienvenido Lumbera (literature), and Salvador Bernal (stage/theater design). I told myself what are the odds of not making the cut? But at 54, I don't want to tell myself that I didn't try. This is the year I felt I should be doing things that I wish to do to further my craft because I wouldn't be able to do this in 5 or 10 years because of the obvious. I would really have loved to tackle RAMA, a character from the epic "RAMAYANA" (Indian epic with its Filipino version called "Maharadia Lawana"). I couldn't care less if it was a young character, I just knew for myself, I would go and fight for this character.
I did everything I could and told myself to never leave any stone unturned. I was happy with what I presented, and because I have a strong faith that the LORD is in control of everything and that He is most sovereign of all so whatever happens, happens and I will just embrace it even if it would hurt for 30 minutes. That easy. Yesterday, I was emailed that I am not going through the next phase, it hurt for a good 12 minutes because I have prepared myself. I told friends that prayed for me of the results, and I'd like to thank them for believing in me.
Though I wouldn't be able to get to do this role in this lifetime, I am still grateful for the opportunity of being able to share what I think I can bring to the table. I AM GRATEFUL. GOD bless you all.
I am sharing my audition piece with you my friends and giving GOD all the glory. I am not eliciting pity in this post. And so I'd