"Acting is Reacting" - Danny 'Ama' Mandia | The EVerVoice

 The CVAP Workshop – Batch 9, Day 3 session, was graced by the ‘Father of Filipino Dubbing’, Sir Danny “Ama” Mandia. 

I am really grateful that he became our speaker because I am always interested in the history of things related to broadcasting. Well I’m not actually sure if it is part of the broadcast industry in general, but I do believe that it’s somehow related kasi some of his colleagues that he mentioned were famous personalities from the radio industry. Hehe. 

His talk was a combination of a historical and inspirational discussion. I believe it’s really interesting to know how dubbing started in our country. He shared his experiences way back the martial law regime and how dubbing of Voltes V was stopped because it was considered subversive.

I believe that Sir Choy and Sir Danny were somehow alike for they share the same attitude towards sharing what you know to others. 

Sabi nga ni Sir Danny, “Kung ano man ang natutunan mo sa kapwa mo, i-share mo sa iba.”

He also talked about his experiences in the industry where he encountered ‘intriga’ and how back-stabbing was chronic in the dubbing industry. I guess this also served as a warning for those who plan to enter the industry. Hehe. kung sabagay, sa lahat naman ng industriya, may pulitika, may showbiz, at may intriga. 

Pero ika nga ulit ni Sir Danny, “basta hindi ka nanloloko ng tao, you will prevail,” at importanteng “huwag sisiraan yung ibang tao at organisasyon”.

For the last part of his talk, he mentioned the importance of using our own Filipino accent when it comes to dubbing. According to Sir Danny, mas pinahahalagahan kasi nung iba yung mga wikang banyaga kaysa sa sarili nating wika. And I must say na tama siya. Aminin natin, mas humahanga tayo sa taong magaling magsalita ng ibang language kumpara doon sa kayang magsalita ng purong tagalog or ibang dialekto. 

“Acting is reacting. No reaction is no acting.”

This is the most notable quote that I got from Sir Danny’s talk. Simple pero puno ng aral. Lalo na para sa mga naghahangad makapasok sa mundo ng voice acting.

Overall, I felt that I was inside a classroom or auditorium while listening to Sir Danny’s talk. He reminded me of how important attending seminars are lalo na yaong mga seminars or conferences na talagang nag-iimbita ng mga beterano sa industriya. 

Kudos to all the people behind the CVAP workshop for giving its participants a one-of-a-kind online workshop experience.