International acting coach Anthony Vincent Bova flew to the Philippines last month to facilitate a new round of workshops for the talents of GMA Artist Center.
Also an actor, writer, and artistic director, Bova is a protégé of famed acting coach Eric Morris, who has taught some of the best actors in the Philippines, including Armida Siguion-Reyna, Leo Martinez, Michael de Mesa, Joel Torre, and Pinky Amador. In fact, Bova is the only instructor in New York endorsed by Morris to teach the Eric Morris System of Acting, one of the most popular, effective, and credible acting methods in the world.
Bova’s credits include Reading Rainbow with Levar Burton, The Emperors Club directed by Michael Hoffman with Kevin Kline (The Pink Panther, Beauty and Beast) and Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy), and the National Tour of Cats The Musical.
Alden Richards, the prized Kapuso talent, had the privilege to undergo Bova’s series of workshops in Manila and even sidelined a session with the acting coach when he visited New York in April for GMA Pinoy TV concert.
“To say that I have learned a lot from him is an understatement. It was an incredible and life-changing experience. I thought I already knew a lot in terms of acting techniques. But when I had a session with him, it felt that I only knew one percent,” Alden told MS Entertainment in an exclusive interview.
He credited Bova for allowing him to rediscover himself as an actor and further enhance his skill.
“Through the workshop, I have learned that all emotions are just equal when you are an actor. Whether you’re happy or sad, you have to treat them equally and act them out with the same level of delivery and preparation,” Alden shared.
The 26-year-old actor explained that when he underwent Bova’s workshop, he was given a few exercises that tested his limits. And he’s confident that he’s able to apply the new techniques he has learned from Bova in Victor Magtanggol, his new series on primetime.
“Acting is a continuous learning process. And I’m thankful that GMA has given me this opportunity to further hone my craft with the help of a tested method,” Alden added.
Meanwhile, in August last year, the New York City-based acting coach visited the country for the very first time and gave a workshop for selected talents of GMA Artist Center.
“They’re beautiful kids. A lot of the actors here, in general, are very grounded, very connected. They’re not detached from themselves and that’s a nice thing,”Bova described local actors who have attended his workshops.
Asked to differentiate this year’s workshop from last year’s, Bova said: “I focused on just a few areas. This year, I focused on different parts of the actor’s life, different tools and techniques, and many different ways to apply those tools and techniques. The first workshop was just a fraction of that.”
Actress Ana Feleo, Bova’s co-teacher, added that last year’s workshop was all about empowerment. “It was a short but very intense workshop that helped the actors become more confident, freer emotionally, physically, and mentally and ready to fulfill the needs of their characters.”
GMA Artist Center has tasked the two to come up with a one-year program to train and supervise more thoroughly the education and growth of artists from its talent pool.
This year’s attendees included some of Artist Center’s hottest young artists.
Bova and Feleo emphasized the importance of acting workshops, even for working artists.
“I think it’s vital for an artist to truly understand and have a dependable toolkit. Working as an artist doesn’t mean you have a dependable toolkit; it just means you’re being employed, and that’s a good thing. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a high level of artistry in your work,” said Bova.
Bova was also in the country in February to facilitate his series of workshops.