FILIPINA teenager Myka Torre plays the young Nala in the recently concluded Singapore production of the Broadway hit, 'The Lion King'. Myka is one of only seven Filipinos who are part of the lavish production.

MANILA, Philippines — At just four years old, Myka Torre was already playing a lead role in a stage production of the religious musical “Mapaghimalang Birhen ng Caysasay” written and diected by Nestor Torre, music by Ryan Cayabyab and produced by National Artist Ramon Orlina. At that time this was staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and even toured in Batangas.

She showed a lot of promise, considering the fact that it was her first play. She was not in school yet and could barely read. She had no formal acting lessons and had not taken up singing lessons. It was pure talent, natural talent.

Myka, a cheerful little girl, also had to play a role of a boy in her very first musical. But she didn’t mind at all.

“Actually proud ako eh dahil na prove ko sa mga tao na kahit babae ako, ‘yung talent ko, kaya kong maging lalaki. Kaya ko po gampanan lahat ng challenges na mabibigay sa akin ng theater,” she quips.

Now at 14 years old, Myka is slowly making a name for herself by playing in the big league. She recently played the role of young Nala in the recently concluded theater production of ''The Lion King'' in Singapore.

“It was super duper amazing experience! No words can express ‘yung gratitude na mapasali po doon kasi hindi lang na marami akong na meet na tao na galing sa iba’t ibang bansa. Napakita ko ‘yun talent ko sa kanila. Natutuwa po ako kasi naka build po ako ng bagong chapter,” this sophomore high school student shares.

JOURNEY TO HER DREAM

After her first stage play, Myka immediately fell in love with the craft. She has always dreamed of becoming a star, which her family, especially mommy Cecilia fully supported.

“Nagustuhan ko na siya agad. Actually, ayoko tumigil kaya nung natapos na ‘yung play, wala na bang susunod? Sobrang mahal na mahal ko ‘yung ginagawa ko,” Myka shares. “Bata pa po ako ang mommy ko super supportive sa amin na talagang kapag may dream kami gusto niya matupad kahit papaano. After po nun sabi ko, gusto kong maging artista.”

Everybody noticed Myka at that point especially director Nestor Torre, who helped and trained her during the production. Since then a lot of doors opened for Myka. She auditioned and became one of the finalists of the talent search show “Little Big Star”. Although she didn’t win the said competition, people took notice. She landed roles in television shows and on stage. Some of her theater plays include “Nassan si Hesus”, “Magnificat”, “Pag-Ibig sa Bayan”, “Bagahe”, “Padre Pio”, “Life of the Pope”, and her biggest local role yet, playing young Corazon Aquino in the “Cory the Musical”. She also landed roles in films such as the independent movie “Saan Nagtatago Si Happiness”. More recently, she did a student independent film in Singapore “Li’l Big Trouble”.

“‘Yung unang labas ko sa theater before mag start kabado po talaga ako. Pero ‘yung mga co-actors ko, super supportive sila. ‘Pag labas ko at nakita ko na ‘yung maraming tao natutuwa, nawawala na po lahat. Nung first experience ko na ‘yun, sobrang saya ko after,” Myka says.

In 2010 she represented the country in the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Los Angeles in California, USA. She won three gold, two silver medals and a plaque for being the world champion in the junior division. After winning the competition, she was offered left and right by agents and big production companies like Nickelodeon and Disney. However, she had to beg off due to lack of money.

YOUNG NALA

It was her trip to the US when Myka was able to watch the production of The Lion King in Las Vegas. She knew then that she wanted to play the role of young Nala of the long-running and award-winning musical.

“After WCOPA may konting time kami para mamasyal so nagpunta kami sa Las Vegas, dun ko po napanood ang Lion King. Pagkatapos ng show, sabi ko kay mama gusto kong maging young Nala kasi sumasakay sila sa ostrich. Sabi niya, hayaan mo na, kapag merong opportunity iga-grab natin,” she recalls.

When Myka and her mom went back to the country, to their surprise the production company of The Lion King was holding auditions for its Singapore production. Along with five other kid-actors she was chosen to play the role of young Nala. She is one of only seven Filipino actors who is included in the production.

“Nagtatalon ako at umiyak! Sabi ko kasi si God na ang bahala, kung ibibigay niya po sa akin ‘yung opportunity, magte-thank you ako ng sobra sobra, at least nag try po ako. Tumawag kay mama tapos tinawag sa amin ng mama. ‘Yung hard work ko para makapunta dun, it all paid off. Kaya sobrang saya,” the humble young actress says.

BEING YOURSELF

She went to Singapore in January of 2011 with her father as her companion. The play started March and ended in October last year. She admits that at first, she felt intimidated because this was a big international production.

“Nung una nakakatakot po kasi iba iba po tayo ng attitude and how we work, and culture. Nung una, tahimik pero nung magkakilala na kami, tinuturuan na nila ako ng tips on acting about singing. Nagkaroon na kami ng family connection, helping each other out,” she shares.

Aside from being in the play she was happy that the production recognizes the importance of the studies of the child actors. She never stopped schooling. She studied under the Australian International School Singapore, which partnered with her school, Villa Cecilia Academy in Bacoor Cavite to make sure she doesn’t lag behind her lessons.

“First year high school na ko nun. ‘yung school ko dito, nag connect sila sa Australian International School Singapore, nagpapasahan sila ng grades ko at kung ano ang kailangan kong gawin. ‘Yun ang natutuwa ako na hindi nila pinabayaan ang schooling ko. Hindi naman po ako nahirapan at saka nasanay na ako dito, na kailangan i-balance ‘yung work and studies. Pasado naman po lahat. Natuwa po ako sa teachers ko kasi supportive sila,” Myka shares.

She also says that she learned a lot from the cast and crew of The Lion King. She learned how to be independent and responsible. She also learned how to be professional by following instructions and respecting the rules of the production. But the biggest lesson she learned is being yourself.

“Be yourself. Kasi po kapag sinubukan natin na baguhin ang sarili natin magbabago talaga. The way we act, the way we sing. Kapag sinasabi nilang 'be yourself,' matatanggap ka ng ibang tao kunga ano kayo. Kapag lumalabas ako na bilang Nala, aba iba po kami ng approach. Iba iba kami ng attitudes kung baga paglalaro sa character,” she says.

CONTINUING THE DREAM

Myka says that she will continue to work hard to reach her dream of becoming an international theater actress like her idol, Lea Salonga. Her dream is to star in a big Broadway production. However, if given a choice, she would still want to work in theater, film and television because she loves to act.

Right now, she is back at school and working hard to finish secondary school although she wishes that she will get a role in one international play -- she wants to be Annie in the musical Annie, which is set to be staged in Australia.

“Lion King was all a blessing. Bilang parent very proud ako kasi sinabi ng director, ‘It’s her talent that brought her here.’ We’re hoping that the blessings continue,” mommy Cecilia says.

She is now learning to play instruments such as the guitar and piano. She is also starting to learn to compose music because Myka says that it is her musical heart – her love for music – that has brought her to where she is right now.

“What I have is my theater foundation and international production training. Ang hindi maalis sa akin ay ang musical heart ko. I am thankful for all the opportunities but best of all, thanking God for giving me this talent to share this with others and giving me a very supportive family,” Myka ends.