How this voice actor found hope and his 'voice' back amid the pandemic
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BY ALIYYA SAWADJAAN
Without question, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the lives of many Filipinos. Earlier this year, the national government mandated the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the hopes of protecting the people from contracting the deadly disease. Unfortunately, it meant that many businesses had to close and events had to be postponed. In the months that followed, many industries suffered including the voice talent industry.
Pocholo Gonzales is a voice actor by trade and suffered greatly during the lockdown. “Malaki ang nawala sa akin. Hindi na pwedeng pumunta ng mga recording studios dahil lockdown at bawal lumabas,” he says. “Pati mga speaking engagements ko na-cancel dahil mas bawal ang mass gatherings. At pati yung ibang negosyo na meron ako, kinailangang magsara.”
But despite all that, he found the silver lining to his situation, “Marami na rin kasi akong mabigat na napagdaanan sa buhay kaya ang iniisip ko lagi, ‘May paraan! Lahat posible!’”
Marami na rin kasi akong mabigat na napagdaanan sa buhay kaya ang iniisip ko lagi, ‘May paraan! Lahat posible!’
At the onset of the pandemic, Gonzales was determined that COVID-19 was not going to destroy his dreams. He then started organizing free classes for voice acting.
“Ginawa ko yun kasi ayoko magpatalo sa pandemic. Ayokong magpadapa, so pinilit kong tumayo at magsama ng ibang tao sa pagbangon ko,” he says.
From face-to face classes, Gonzales started conducting online classes for students who wanted to learn the art of voice acting, calling his classes the Certified Voice Acting program. Through his classes, he helped his students build their confidence and created a community for them with “real human connections.”
“Thankful ako kasi I had the opportunity to focus on my voice acting passion na matagal ko nang gusto,” says Faith Pastrana.
“During (the) pandemic nakatulong sa akin ang pag-vo-voice acting. Hindi ko napapansin na nalalagpasan ko yung mga problema,” admits Rymar TV.
“I am thankful sa nangyaring ito sa atin, dahil I was able to go back and reconnect to my voice acting passion na matagal nang natabunan,” he shares. “Ngayon, I am very proud to see them doing their online shows, getting voice over projects. Pero alam ko na higit sa voice acting, natututo silang mahalin ang kanilang boses at sarili para makabangon sa buhay.”
Sometimes when the world seems so dark, being a light to others not only saves them but save us, as well. While the world is still reeling from the pandemic, all we can do is hope for better days and infect others with that same hope we hold on to.
In partnership with The Philippine STAR, Globe and its Facebook community Hope Bank brings you #KwentoNgTagumpay - inspiring stories from people who chose to hope and believe. Watch Pocholo Gonzales and his #KwentoNgTagumpay on Facebook.com/PhilippineSTAR. What are your inspiring stories? It’s time to share them by visiting Philstarlife.com/globehopebank.
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