FREELANCE acting has not been an ideal occupation in the country. Since unemployment is an issue in the Philippines, being employed in a regular job is sought after. This makes freelance acting seem impossible to financially sustain a person. But Bong Cabrera, a University of the Philippines Cebu alumnus, proves this notion wrong.
Cabrera had no theater background until UP Cebu’s longest running performing organization, the University of the Philippines Students’ Theater Arts Guild for Education (Upstage), gave him the opportunity to perform dula-tula and until Christine Ramos’ annual Bantawan sa Sugbu allowed him to act in plays.
Later on, he decided to go to Manila when he was 23, to expand the number of plays he had under his belt and to be professionally trained in theater. He also dreamed of entering the Cultural Center of the Philippines, or to operate an actor’s spotlight. But where Cabrera finds himself now is a far cry from what he actually wished for.
He’s now an award-winning and full-time freelance actor in Manila. He was awarded as Best Actor in the 7th Cinema One Originals Digital Film for the film Sa Ilalim ng Tulay (2011); as Best Supporting Actor in the 2013 Cinefilipino Film Festival for The Guerilla is a Poet and as Best Supporting Actor in PhilStage Awards for the play Kudeta (2008).
Recently, he acted in the play, Bulong-bulongan sa Sangandaan or Never Again: Voices of Martial Law last September—a series of plays that were used to remind everyone of the brutality that was prevalent during dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ regime. Among the films he acted in were Kusina and 123 in this year’s Cinemalaya film festival, and many more.
As a freelance actor, Cabrera faces financial struggles, experiences being put on the back burner and being typecast in auditions, and receives criticism from his parents. But now, he learned to save money, to accept and learn from rejection, and to keep in mind that he’s happy with his chosen profession. So what keeps Cabrera going?
“When I do something, I make sure that I’m happy with what I’m doing even if other people oppose, as long as I don’t step on anyone,” Cabrera said.
At present, Cabrera has a fragrant resume that he can use whenever he wants to enter the mainstream film industry to build a bigger name and earn more, but he opted not to. Aside from being an introvert, he claims that he can’t.
“I’d rather let the material speak for itself rather than me promoting it all the time. I’m acting not because I want to be rich,” the Leyte-born actor said. “I didn’t dream to be famous. I want to live a normal life in which I can still ride the MRT, and I can still commute. People who pass by me sometimes wonder if they’ve seen me somewhere. I’m fine with that.”
What matters most to Cabrera is to survive for him to continue acting. With a passionate and content heart in life and in acting, Cabrera stands as a living proof that being a freelance actor is possible and can financially sustain a person. (Contributed By Ruthy Mae B. Valdez)