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My fair Farida

* "It would be exciting to put Iloilo on the map, other than Manila, as the center for arts and culture"

* She is the daughter of Gilopez and Corazon Kabayao, both musicians

* She is the Cultural Director of the Gilopez Kabayao Foundation, Inc., Secretary of Business and Arts, Inc. and a freelance theater actor in Manila and Iloilo

* "My parents simply assured me it was alright to make mistakes and even gave me advice that if ever I would blunder the next time, I should never stop playing"

FARIDA Pineda Kabayao's name has always been identified with theater and superb talent in this field.

She is the daughter of Gilopez and Corazon Kabayao, both musicians. Her siblings are musically inclined as well. Sicilienne, her sister, plays the violin and piano and is their production manager in various theater productions. Gilberto Kabayao also plays the violin and the piano; he was also involved in theater, making his debut at 6 with Audie Gemora and Freddie Santos in Trumpet's production of Joseph the Dreamer; and when he was older, he was member of the dancing chorus of My Fair Lady.

Farida has played lead roles in the abovementioned plays as well as The Miracle Worker.

She is presently in Manila although she comes home to Iloilo almost every month for vacations and important gatherings.

She is the Cultural Director of the Gilopez Kabayao Foundation, Inc., Secretary of Business and Arts, Inc. and a freelance theater actor in Manila and Iloilo.

Kathy Villalon finds out more from this interview.

Kathy M. Villalon (KMV): You have been musically and artistically inclined since you were a kid. Please narrate to us how your training was like when you were little. Cite some unforgettable moments.

Farida Pineda Kabayao (FPK): My training in music was basically through exposure to what my parents were doing as musicians-performing in concerts not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well. It's funny because my parents never forced me nor my siblings to play the violin.

For all of us, being taught how to play the instrument was more of child's play and seeing how audiences found us adorable made us want to perform more. (Laughs).

Eventually, my dad taught me formally how to play the violin at the age of 4, starting with "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". And as I grew older, he taught me more pieces on the violin, until I was good enough to compete in the National Music Competitions in Manila when I was 13. I think that my training was more of hands-on, learning along the way as I performed with my family onstage.

I grew up appreciating the different art forms at an early age due to the fact that we always traveled, went to museums, watched plays and met a lot of interesting people from the arts, academe and from other profession as well.

I will never forget one concert in Brunei when I was around 7 at the Philippine Ambassador's place. During the middle of my solo, I fumbled on my notes. Embarrassed, I stopped playing and began to cry right onstage! The audience was quite sympathetic and I expected my parents to get angry. To my surprise, they simply assured me it was alright to make mistakes and even gave me advice that if ever I would blunder the next time, I should never stop playing and just do my best not to make my mistakes obvious before my audience and to simply finish my piece well. And that was when I realized that it's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and work hard the next time.

KMV: What is it like growing in a family of musicians and one of the country's famous family at that?

FPK: I honestly don't consider my family as really famous compared to other prominent families in politics or in show business yet it would perhaps be of interest that music is actually the LAST thing we even talk about at home. True, music has been a binding force in bringing us all together but we do have a lot of things other than music that makes us enjoy our time as a family. Joking around our dining table during meals, eating (we're such foodtrippers!), watching movies as well as our favorite teleseryes (my mum and sister are fans of Judy Ann while I looove John Lloyd Cruz!!!),traveling, shopping or simply staying put at home are those we consider as memorable. In short, any time we spend together as a family becomes special and worth remembering.

My personal favorite is the time spent with my mum and sister having midnight snacks and be engrossed in serious girl talk. We would talk and talk until 3 or 4 in the morning and my dad would be awaken by our loud chatter and laughter, and insist we go to sleep right away! Then we would chorus, "but Papa, this is our bonding time!".

KMV: What would you consider your best performance so far and why?

FPK: Every performance has been one of a kind, either teaching me what to improve on or reminding myself to thank God for being a blessing to others through our music. As for the best performance in a play, I too don't have one. I've done so many shows that I've practically forgotten which was the best because every show had been different. But for a breakthrough performance, I think it would be our recent production of "The Miracle Worker". Compared to having done the play almost three years ago, I felt it was only now that I was brave enough to show that vulnerable side of me to the audience as well as to simply let go of all the technicalities, letting the scenes work as they are, not being afraid to go where the scenes would take you.

KMV: How do you get into a role?

FPK: After reading and studying the script, doing the necessary research required for the role (the psychological make-up of the character, how the character moves or walks, etc.) and after all those rehearsals, I just simply had to let go of myself into the role, react in whatever the character undergoes in every scene and be open to where that scene will lead me. It is in rehearsals (and constant reading of the script) where I get to discover more about the character I play. Getting into the role takes a lot of time and doesn't happen overnight. It's like spending time with a person to get to know him or her better. After having done all the technical things required for the role, I try not think about my character anymore and simply enjoy every process that will happen onstage during the actual performance.

I used to be so intense, uptight and so analytical about my character that there were times when my performances became quite mechanical and studied to the point that I would be just saying my lines without any meaning and truth in it. Yet, after every show, I would be emotionally exhausted and, without my knowing it, would carry on to my personal life a few traits of my character.

After attending an acting class in Repertory Philippines under Ana Abad Santos-Bitong, getting into role took a whole new perspective for me. Now, I find theater acting more exciting especially when I am onstage with wonderful actors like my co-actors in "The Miracle Worker".

KMV: What keeps you busy now?

FPK: I am currently preparing my papers to take an acting course in the US at the same time getting as much rest from doing almost nine months straight of theater with Repertory Philippines (Cinderella and Fiddler on the Roof) and Gilopez Kabayao Foundation, Inc. (The Miracle Worker). My few months of "relaxation" would possibly mean taking 1 or 2 more workshops in Manila and watching as many theater productions as possible. Those will be my non-acting phase because I will be in the audience, simply enjoying theater and learning from other productions.

KMV: What would you like to see in the Ilonggo music and theater scene?

FPK: I would definitely like to see the Ilonggo music and theater scene thrive. It would be exciting to put Iloilo on the map, other than Manila, as the center for arts and culture. It's amazing how much talent we have here. Unfortunately, there are limited opportunities for training as well as exposure in the appreciation of the arts among young people. It is truly a dream for our Ilonggo music, musicians and singers to be promoted well in Manila and abroad. As for the theater scene, I would like to see more experimental Ilonggo works of the highest quality possible to be staged in Manila and abroad. It would also be a dream for Ilonggos to do more Western plays - whether it be the classics or modern ones- challenging enough to be shown outside of our turf. Sad to say, many hold on to the misconceptions that any productions from outside of Manila are considered "manul or baduy ". It is then up to us to prove them wrong!

I believe the Ilonggo music and theater scene will not improve unless the Ilonggos themselves would show their support even just by simply buying a ticket and spend at least two hours of their time to go to the theater or concert of local artists. When Lea Salonga or the Lettermen come to Iloilo, the Ilonggos do not take second thought to spend P2,000 to P5,000 for a ticket. Couldn't they afford to buy P100 to P200 tickets for a local production? The discrepancy in the attitude towards our own local talent is so obvious.

Our audiences should know how much a performing group would spend countless hours of practice just to put up a good show, even sacrificing time for school (as most of the young artists here are students) and family. And most productions don't even have a budget-the actors end up performing for free, constantly relying on ticket sales. Artists are kept alive by their passion for their art. They're brave enough to share a part of themselves to others who would care to watch them onstage.

KMV: Let's go to fashion. What are the basic clothes that one can find in your closet?

FPK: Definitely jeans, shirts and lots of little black dresses.

KMV: What do you consider when dressing up?

FPK: Style and comfort, are first priorities, of course.

I also consider the cut, the color, the fabric and how appropriate my outfit is for the occasion.

KMV: What are your favorite brands?

FPK: I love BCBG by Max Azria and Zara for very classic

cuts. Cinderella has a good line of cocktail dresses. Nafnaf Paris, Old Navy and GAP for casual or rugged clothes.

KMV: Do you also do ukay-ukay?

FPK: Of course, I do! I just love spending time rummaging through piles and piles of clothing and finding lots of stylish and vintage pieces at such low prices. Sometimes I get a piece just to follow a design, or a rare set of buttons which I can use for other dresses.

KMV: What's your beauty and fitness regimen?

FPK: I make sure to remove my make up before going to bed. Pond's Cold Cream is still the best! I never wash my face with soap nor any facial wash; just water, then dab it dry with soft tissue or towel. That's what my mom has passed on to me and I can tell you, it works to maintain soft skin.

My work in Manila consisted of doing shows almost everyday which was why it was close to impossible for me to have a daily workout regimen. I slept rather than exercised. Haha! However, when I was there, I sure did a lot of walking. But before I went to Manila, when my time is more regular, I did Pilates and cardio workouts and now I'm dying to go back to working out again!

As for my diet, I've been a vegetarian for almost 7 years now. My decision to be one was not a result of any religious belief whatsoever but primarily a personal decision to become one. Besides, I've never really liked eating too much meat even when I was a child. But when I became a vegetarian, I never looked back since! By eating less meat or flesh, I feel light and even healthier! I have so much energy that most of the time, I can outlast my co-actors who are meat eaters.

KMV: What can we find in your bag?

FPK: One can never imagine how much stuff I lug around! My friends would tease me that it looks like I'm bringing all the stuff from my house (they're exaggerating, of course!). I'm definitely not used to bringing a small bag. For theater people, we always use a BIG, HUGE bag. And I mean big!

Anyway, aside from what you would normally find in a bag (keys, wallet, cellphone, etc.), I bring an umbrella (you'll never know when it will rain.), a notebook, a pair of shades, my iPod, a pack of tissue (I once had a bad experience for not having brought one!), wet wipes, a planner, oil blotting papers, body mist (any vanilla scent for me. As of now, it's Bath & Body work's Rice Shea and Butter), eyebrow pencil, concealer, lipstick, gloss, lip balm (especially Smith's Rosebud Salve which works well for skin blemishes), a few packs of crackers (in case I get hungry), some candies (for energy!) and bottled water among others.

KMV: What are some of the things that people have yet to discover about you.

FPK: That I'm a person who's very easy to please. A simple act of kindness or thoughtfulness means so much to me. Whether it is a note of encouragement or a kind word or touching text messages from friends or if someone gives me banana cue or sinugba nga mais or coated peanuts, I'm at my happiest! I'm also the kind of person who's not so serious all the time. Those closest to me can attest to that. In my family, I'm known to have the loudest and boisterous laugh! And yes, I talk too much!

Staying at home and listening to music while writing on my journal are favorite past times. But I too love to go out with my friends to see a movie, go window shopping, or simply enjoy long talks over good food or coffee.

I may be a vegetarian but I looove FOOD! I'm such a big eater I can consume several slices of pizza and finish one huge plate of pasta all by myself. Hehe!

I'm a self-confessed "kikay" girl. I love make-up and products for the bath and body. It doesn't matter what brands they are as long as they smell good and work well. The funny thing is, I don't even splurge money on beauty products, for often, thankfully, some very generous friends and cousins give them to me as gifts. And as for a stress-buster ritual, I try to pass by Watson's or any cosmetic counter to simply spend time checking out any new beauty product in sight. Ahh! It's like walking inside a candy store!

KMV: What principle do you live by?

FPK: To sum up my principle in life, I am guided by this simple yet powerful verse from the bible which says: "...whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is

RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE- if anything is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY, think about such things." - Philippians 4:8