SMALL steps are often underestimated. Especially in the dog eat dog world of entertainment and the performing arts.
Many dream of becoming celebrities, and most of these dreamers will choose the one-time-big-time route not realizing that more often than not, true success comes when they take it one step at a time.
That is why we are so happy when we get to meet young artists who are not rushing to become big stars, who know that strategy is oftentimes a wonderful weapon to have, and who believe that timing is of great importance.
Take the case of new actor Miguel Odron, who continues to captivate the independent film audience worldwide with his effortlessly brilliant performance in Petersen Vargas’s Some Nights We Feel Like Walking, a wonderful film we were able to see when it was shown in local cinemas a few weeks ago.
The good news is: Odron recently scored a feature performance award nomination from the highly touted Iris Prize, an international LGBTQ+ festival and event open to films by, for, about, or of interest to these specific communities. The winners will be announced on October 19, in Cardiff, Wales.
The movie is Odron’s first acting assignment, and he admitted to being surprised by this nomination. ‘I’m truly out of words with this unexpected recognition. You can call me an accidental actor who tremendously enjoyed my experience working on my very first film. All I just want now is to make more films, and this nomination is more than a stamp of approval that I’m in the right career direction. I’m just happy that the film is getting a lot of good feedback from audiences around the world.’
Odron has proven once more that every step forward-no matter how small-is still movement in the right direction. And taking these small steps is the only way we can get to the top of a flight of stairs, to reach for our dreams, and to work on what we truly desire. I also got to meet two promising Sparkle artists recently: Kim Perez and John Rex.
Perez just released his song ‘Huling Hinto,’ a rock ballad that is hauntingly sad, while Rex, the grand winner of The Clash 2023 edition, lends his soulful vocals to the song ‘Kahit Wala Na Tayo.’ Rex’s powerful ballad has been chosen as the theme song for the drama series Cruz versus Cruz.
‘I’m waiting for my big break as a singer. My big win at The Clash was actually a jump-off point, but where I land will be my destiny. That’s why I work very hard and seize every good opportunity that comes my way. They say that all it takes is one song for a singer to soar to greater heights, and I’m taking all these small steps knowing that I will soar when my wings are ready,’ Rex shared.
Indeed, what starts as one small step often leads to another. When we focus on what we can do, we start to build momentum. A single effort can set off a chain reaction that, more often than not, leads to greater opportunities and more significant wins.
Aside from being a singer, Perez is also trying his luck as an actor. He is currently cast in the GMA TV series Sanggang Dikit. ‘I’m easy, you know. I don’t mind being described as an actor who can sing or a singer who can act. I’d love to explore all the possibilities that will be made available for me at this time in my young career. I enjoy doing both actually. In singing, I’m usually all by myself as a performer, but in acting I have to be a team player.’
A few days ago, I was happy to find out that Noel Comia has been cast in the upcoming musical Bagets, a production of Viva Live Events. He will give life and music to the same role that Herbert Bautista portrayed in the 1984 movie version.
I was first drawn to Comia in 2017 in the Cinemalaya movie Kiko Boksingero where I raved about his performance. There was no surprise when the then 12-year-old newbie actor romped away with the festival best actor prize for his endearing yet powerful performance.
The doors opened one by one for this promising actor who is slowly building quite an impressive filmography with such movies, like Song fo the Fireflies, Death of Nintendo, Gitarista, Tenement 66, Rainbow Sunset and Children of the River. He has also lent his talent to several theater productions and have won acting awards for these.
Not many remember Comia being part of the third season of The Voice Kids, making it to Lea Salonga’s Top 8 hopefuls. That is why I am excited to see how he will transform as an actor-singer when Bagets the musical comes to life onstage early next year at The Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Comia’s is a classic case of progress not being about perfection. It’s about focusing on what you can do with what you’ve got in reaching for your goals, no matter how small that action might seem. In the world of entertainment, it’s always tempting for newcomers to believe that only big, dramatic efforts bring results, but more often than not it’s the small consistent actions that actually shape our lives and determine the future. Like that of Comia’s.
When we focus on what we can do, however small that may seem to others, something shifts within us. The weight of difficulty, fear, doubt and frustration lightens, the mind becomes clear, and amazing ideas emerge. What was once a narrow mindset starts to expand, and creative juices start to flow naturally.
Success breeds success. Just like compound interest, small steps add up to impressive rewards. And these small steps help talented hopefuls like Miguel Odron, Kim Perez, John Rex, and Noel Comia create valuable habits that will help them achieve bigger gains in the future.