The Detour of Raz de la Torre
By Mr. Fu
TV and movie director Raz dela Torre’s childhood dream was to be a news anchor like his idol, the late Angelo Castro Jr. of “World Tonight” fame (ay, ako gusto noon maging Loren Legarda!). However, he discovered his passion for directing while studying Broadcast Communication at the University of the Philippines. (Ako ata iba na-discover ko sa sarili ko nu’ng nasa college ako!)
Raz dela Torre
“I discovered I had a confident command of how to tell stories using images and sound. For my thesis, my partner and I produced a documentary about reporters covering the AFP-MILF war and the Abu Sayaff hostage crises. Directing became a logical career path because as a director, I provided the vision that everyone in the production rallied behind. My dream of becoming the next Angelo Castro Jr. evolved,” Raz recalled. (Saan kaya ako dadalhin ng evolution ko?!)
After graduation, he took several workshops under multi-awarded writer Ricky Lee. (Ay ako kay Ricky… Reyes! Mother Ricky!) He eventually became a member of Star Cinema’s Concept Development Group and contributed screenplays to Star Cinema movies “You Are The One” starring Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby, and “A Very Special Love” topbilled by Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz. (Gawan mo nga ako ng screenplay ng buhay ko!)
Raz felt he needed to learn other things to get closer to his dream of directing. He left the country to earn his Masters with Distinction in Filmmaking at the London Film School.(Sana ma-achieve ko rin ’yung with distinction!) Upon his return in 2011, ABS-CBN bosses Malou Santos and Olive Lamasan tapped him to be one of the resident directors of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” (Ay idirek mo life ko sa ‘MMK,’ isip na’ko ng title!)
“It’s really flattering, but it’s also challenging. There’s a legacy you have to live up to. When people think of ‘MMK,’ it’s a gold standard. But you have to remember that so much of that pressure rests on us directors, in being able to draw these memorable performances out of them. Same with the pressure to give justice to the larger-than-life stories of our letter senders.” Raz said.
He has done almost 70 “MMK” stories. One of his special episodes is with superstar Nora Aunor. (Ay, next time si super.. sireyna raw po!)
“The feeling of creating something that resonates with people is unlike any other. Many times I’ve found myself envying doctors who save other people’s lives. But then I reflect about my own work and realize that while I’m not able to cure illnesses, I am able to to touch lives with my creations. I may not be able to heal bodies, but help heal the soul.” (Ay, papa-check-up po ako sayo, direk!)
The 38-year-old University of the Philippines lecturer promises to continue his commitment in producing excellent and relevant masterpieces. (Gusto ko na ng commitment!)
“In ‘MMK,’ I tend to get the heavy drama stories, and the cute, kilig love stories which I love doing. But I’d like to do even more socially relevant themes that reflect my own personal advocacies. There are so many stories out there that still need to be told.” (The Untold Story of FU? Pwede po ba?! Push!)
(MR.FU hosts 0n 91. 5 Win Radio, 9am-12nn, Mondays to Fridays and 9pm to 12mn, Saturdays. Twitter/IG: @mrfu_mayganon. FB: MR.FU the Star DJ. Youtube: WTFu. For Fu artworks: IG: @republic.art and FB: Republic Art Gallery)