MANILA, Philippines- What's going on? Why are we being assaulted by so many loud, livid and over-the-top performances on teleseryes and anthology drama shows these days? It?s like many of our actors and actresses have agreed to do their melodramatic worst.

Are we really to blame? Or could it be that directors are pushing them to go all-out with their florid, hysterical and OOA (Outrageously Overacting) portrayals, to keep viewers watching and thus, beat the competition?

Whatever the reason, the situation on TV has gone from worse to worst. Even some of the best actors have been turning in really cringe-worthy characterizations of late, sorely eroding the reputation they worked so hard to firm up.

Why the decline in artistic worth and judgement on their part?

The way we see it, the TV acting scene has become so melodramatic, even senior and awarded stars are forced to ?go melo? to keep producers and directors happy.

Another factor is the notoriously unartistic material they?re given, especially in fantaseryes and melodramas-with-a-vengeance. How much subtlety and insight can you come up with when you?re cast as an animal or cartoon figure? And when you?re playing a vengeful father or mother-in-law for the nth time, how can you turn such dismal dross into acting gold?

Thus, we were most pleasantly surprised last week, when we caught two noteworthy performances on the turgid tube?and we hasten to celebrate them today.

First to come up with notably good work was Gabby Concepcion, for his recent guest stint on ?May Bukas Pa.? At first, we dreaded the prospect, because Gabby was cast in the hammy role of a magician grieving over the loss of his little daughter.

But Gabby commendably opted to take the high road in his portrayal. Yes, he did indulge in the regulation ?throwing things around? scene?but, in the key flashback scene in which his daughter?s passing was recalled, Gabby played it quiet?and deep.

In so doing, he made the scene much more moving than it would have been if he had resorted to the usual hot spurts of tears and loud, grieving ululations that lesser actors love to indulge in.

The second performance we gratefully cite is Romnick Sarmenta?s quiet but forceful portrayal in the ?Maalala Mo Kaya? episode in which he co-starred with Alessandra de Rossi.

Toward the end of the episode, Alessandra engaged in a long, florid monologue of accusation and recrimination?and all the while, Romnick remained silent. But we could ?read? his thoughts and feelings so he came off more impressive than his overly-verbose co-star.

That sequence proved once more that less is indeed more when it comes to acting unction and worth. That?s a lesson that many of our TV actors today need to learn.

Feedback

From Joey Ogatis, Department of Arts and Communication, UP Manila: ?I would like to raise a very important issue regarding film viewing. Unfortunately, a lot of people are not aware of this?aspect ration and projection size. Local movie houses nowadays are projecting the movie bigger than the screen, and the image is being cut by about 30 percent. I have tried to bring this matter to the attention of the people running the movie houses, but they are ignoring it. It?s all a matter of adjusting the distance of the lens to the light source.

?People should not patronize erring establishments. And they should bring this matter to the attention of management. This kind of arrogance also explains why some people are no longer excited about watching movies in theaters. They are being shortchanged. So in a way, this practice is a factor in the decline of the Philippine movie industry.

?I hope you can inform movie people about this. I am sure movie directors would hate to find out that their films are not being shown properly. It?s time we put a stop to this.?

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