Acting has also become the profession of choice, what with the seductive promise of fame and big paychecks, all to be had so long as you catch the audience’s fancy and garner their all important votes.

That is why it is refreshing to encounter someone who pursues acting for acting, and who has no dreams of fame or money, but only the opportunity to act and be appreciated for his acting and real, raw talent.

Twenty-year old Michael King Urieta really wants to become a priest. He also wants to be an actor. Do these two disparate elements even go together? Apparently they do in Michael.

Someone who reads Saint Augustine and loves "The Patriot" and "The Last Samurai," Michael first caught the acting bug in community theater when the local parish’s production of the Cenakulo lacked actors. Reluctant to act but eager to help, Michael decided to become one of the actors and was pretty soon on his way. His next big acting experience came during the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in 2002, where he was part of the actors in the parade. Despite the high profile of the event, it was at best a negligible acting part.

"We just had to stand there and pose," Michael smilingly recalls.

It was in the Gantimpala Theater where he found the challenge he was looking for. Having been taken there after attending a workshop by stage manager Ed Murillo, Michael was accepted by the company and has been part of the theater since 2002.At the Gantimpala he has taken part in several plays like "Kanser (Noli Me Tangere) " where he played the part of the 12-year old Basilio. He also played the character Boy Toy in "Despedida de Soltera," a part which he found especially challenging.

"It was an eye opener," he says of the role. "I had to dance nude. I had to belt something from inside me that isn’t necessarily who I was."

Currently playing the character of the young Florante in Gantimpala Theater’s production of "Florante at Laura," he is quite happy with what can be considered is a bit role. He is, in fact, happy with any role.

"Any role will do, as long as the director chose me for it," he says.

His plans of becoming a priest are in no way derailed by his acting endeavors, and he is in fact planning to pursue this even after he has become part of the priesthood."If anything at all, I think acting will help me become a good priest because it helps me interact with people," he says.

He also dismisses any possibility of him taking part in any of the televised talent searches so popular today, stating that he feels that the theater is a better venue to develop one’s abilities.

"When you work on TV, too many people and too many commitments make you lose focus. There is a higher level of development in theater. In theater, you have to back up any good looks you may have with actual talent," Michael reasons out.

Once again, Michael will strut his stuff as he plays a major role in Gantimpala Theater’s ""Florante at Laura" set on October 15-17, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saint Cecilia’s Hall, Saint Scholastica’s College, Manila; October 22-24, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m, AFP Theater, Quezon City, and on November 56, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m , RFC Cinema Theater, Las Pinas City