MANILA, Philippines?In the mid-1970s, we were heartened to see the entry of a number of young, gifted impersonators in local show biz?Vic Pacia, Bing Pabalan, Willie Nepomuceno, etc. Later, other talented impersonators like Tessie Tomas, Jon Santos and Michael V joined their ranks, and their witty and insightful impersonations brightened the entertainment scene.

These days, however, much of the impersonation activity on the show biz scene is of the gay, lip-sync variety?so, there goes the wit and the insights. Also, the gay impersonation process is generally lazier and more cavalier than the impressively detailed research, rehearsals and prepping that the impersonators feel they have to go through in order to come up with their brilliantly incisive depictions of famous and infamous people.

This may help explain why the local impersonation scene is much less creative than it used to be. That?s why we?re grateful that standout holdouts like Willie Nep and ?TT? are keeping the art form, not just alive, but dynamic.
Generous mentor
These thoughts come to mind, because last Aug. 26, we caught Willie Nep?s brilliant lecture-demo on his painstakingly detailed impersonation process in front of a dazzled audience of theater actors, including the similarly gifted likes of Tommy Abuel, Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña.

The two-hour talk was a memorable experience for us, because it distilled all of the lessons Willie had learned throughout his exceptional career. The actors present considered themselves very fortunate, indeed, to have learned so much at the feet of such a generous mentor and master of his craft and art.

We say ?art,? because Willie?s process and performance clearly goes beyond craft, and enters into the more creative aspects of character analysis, style, emotions and artistic insight.

During Willie?s lecture, the actors present were amazed to see him going from one impersonation of a famous person to another?instantly. Now that?s talent!

Even better, the instant impersonations were complete characterizations, in terms of looks, voice, facial expressions, body stance, gestures, mannerisms, and even thought processes!

A feat like that would seem to be impossible?until Willie pulls it off in front of your very eyes?and, even more amazingly, with no sweat at all.

But, the point Willie wanted to make was, that level of performance doesn?t happen just like that, but is in fact the product of many weeks and even months of observation, research, prop and prosthetics preparation, plus a whole lot of planning and thinking.

We hope that the painstaking nature of Willie Nep?s impersonation process is not lost on other actors. It explains why he?s a master, in a class all his own in the field of satirical impersonation, and why most other would-be impersonators are found wanting.

Like all other genuine artists, Willie makes his craft and art the focus of his life, and keeps setting more difficult and higher goals for himself. With that, there could be more committed and brilliant performers like him, in the impersonation field?and beyond!

On MGM Channel

Watch out for these viewing treats: Tomorrow, ?Gun Moll? with Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastrianni. Sept. 5, ?Sketches? with Jason Bateman. Sept. 12, ?Return of the Musketeers? with Oliver Reed, Michael York, etc. Sept. 14, ?The Offence? with Sean Connery, directed by Sidney Lumet. Sept. 15, ?The Man Inside? with Jurgen Prochnow.

Reader?s Digest cover

Reader?s Digest?s Asian edition has comedian Michael V on the cover of its September issue, highlighting its fifth annual humor special. The piece is titled ?Old School.?