"Our Town" is the grandest event of my life. It is not because I consider it as my masterpiece as a writer, director and choreographer nor because it is touted as the most succesful play of the school after "Dalagang Bukid. The play is important to me since it opens a new perspective on myself.
For 34 years, I have lived life thinking that I have made great impact to the world as I gave and shared my whole being. I have trained, have coached and have mentored people to rise above the rest. I have utilized my faculties to make people realize their dreams. At those times, I thought I was happy. I was doing that so people can appreciate me more. I realized that people value you more when you can offer things to them. A recent event of my life has proven that. I deciphered that I mattered for I gave myself to them even at the point of losing my respect and identity. I wanted to belong. I wanted to be loved. I wanted to be cared for. At the end, I was broken. I was lost. I was nothing.
Events twist and turn. I have changed gear. The kaleidescope I see through has become clearer. The play has shown my worth and the way I should do things. I did the play not for anyone but for myself. When I did the play, I focused on my worth as a person. I gave weight to what I really want in my life. I did it to realize my goal. At the end, I am happy. I found the real me. I found what I deserve.
I got raves. I got commendation about my ingenuity. Those were but add ons. I earned the best thing in my life- myself. Arnel Arce now knows himself. This time, I will give my best to people who really love me as I am. They deserve me. Others dont. Never will I make same mistakes. I have learnt. I do things for myself to benefit others. I will never forget myself again.
(I give special thanks to my cast and production staff. You have given my life back. To my friends and beloved who supported me, I bestow gratitude.I thank my talents especially Jemae Yara and Regine Agdon, the stars and the hunchbaks of the play. They shone for they are real gems. You are such stars on your own right.)
For those who keep on reading my blog, thank you. you are all my best friends. You open your hearts to me. I always need that. Mahal kayo. Ingat po. Till next time.
