As part of his marking his 20th year in the entertainment industry, Al Gatmaitan will be taking part in the production of Linda Faigao-Hall’s “The Female Heart”, under the direction of Banaue Miclat-Janssen for the UP Playwrights’ Theater.
Set in the late 1980’s, the play follows Adelfa and her elder brother Anghel’s struggles as resident of the infamous mountain of garbage popularly known as Smokey Mountain. Confronted by extreme poverty and her brother’s ailing health, Adelfa agrees to become a mail-order bride in the United States.
When queried by his peers about this challenging job as Anghel, Gatmaitan was straightforward, saying: “In an actor’s career path, it does not happen all the time when a role that will be much more challenging is offered. From film, television and theater, roles vary from age to genre. And of late, we decided to take ten giant steps to test our mettle in this straight play and not a musical. Apart from immersing ourselves into the role, we have also been simultaneously prepared our physical well-being through a strict diet and workouts in the gym. The rigidity has been getting tougher each and every day. Of late, rehearsals are even much more intense and here’s hoping that when the play opens on July 1, the theater audiences will like and love this one role of a lifetime I have taken. It’s really going to be an exciting year for me. To God be the glory!”
Gatmaitan is a theater, film and television actor, as well as a crossover artist in all musical genres such as pop, musical theatre and classical. He began his training at the UP College of Music, majoring in Voice Performance. He continued further studies in Italy for three years, joining Spazio Teatro and Teatro Calabria, working with masters in theater arts including Italian soprano Maria Francavilla from the Conservatory of Torrefranca ‘Vibo Valentia.’ Gatmaitan won second place with distinction at the First Filipino European Pop Song Festival in Reggio Calabria, Italy.
In 2014, Gatmaitan attended the Music and Performing Arts Profession Summer Program at the New York University Steinhardt School of Music, New York USA under the mentorship of tenor, Michael Ricciardone, while continuing to work with Juilliard- trained mezzo soprano Clarissa Ocampo.
In theater productions, and to name a few, Gatmaitan played the Tenor for Philippine Opera Company’s Master Class (under Michael Williams) and he has been part of the runs of Ang Bagong Harana under the direction of Floy Quintos, and the latter’s Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini 2015 (under Dexter Santos). He covered as Roger Davis for NineWorksTheatrical Production of Rent (under Robbie Guevarra), collaborated with Tanghalang Pilipino for Banaag at Sikat (under Jose Estrella) and Noli Me Tangere 2011 (under Audie Gemora) where he was nominated as Best Male Featured in a Musicale for PhilStage’s Gawad Buhay Awards. Last 2013, he played Kuya Boy for Bit by Bit’s production “Maxie the Musicale,” (under Dexter Santos).
He has been nominated for Aliw Awards’ Best New Male Classical Performer and Best Actor in a Musical categories.
In 2015, he won the Aliw Award for Best Classical Performer.
Later this year, he will also present his collaborative work with composer Jesse Lucas.
The Female Heart runs from July 1 – 10 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, University of the Philippines Diliman. For tickets, sponsorships, and show buying inquiries, call Samanta Clarin (09277406124) or Camille Guevara (09178239531). You may also contact Dulaang UP Office at 926-1349, 433-7840, 981-8500 local 2449 or email dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com.
